Negative thoughts are going to follow us everywhere we go. From getting cut off in traffic, to wondering if those things we heard about ourselves are true, it’s easy to get bogged down in the bad feelings. But, as long as we don’t camp out there, we can get through it! We can rely on God and the truths we know through Him!

Now, why does it matter that Jesus can do miracles? Why does this matter in the grand scheme of His ministry?

Simple: who else can do miracles? This shows us again, the God side of Him. We can’t turn water into wine or feed 5,000 with little materials, but Jesus can. This sets Him apart for the World to see.

Let’s talk about them!

As you spend this holiday however you do, remember this: you are loved more than you could ever imagine, and nothing you do will make that untrue. Keep that in mind, and praise Him for it!

A word of caution to summarize this entire post: don’t be so focused on God working the way you want Him to, that you miss the incredible things He’s doing in your circumstances as it is. My baby isn’t exactly how I wanted her to be, but I couldn’t imagine her any different now. And while I would still take this from her in a heartbeat, I know that God will do miraculous things through this circumstance. Do you?

So, let’s talk about this. Sometimes circumstances seem so much bigger than they are, right? In the moment, it’s overwhelming, and catching a breath seems impossible. 

In hindsight, maybe they don’t seem so big after the fact, but by golly in the moment? It seems bigger than what’s handleable.

Starting with a disclaimer: We are not here to tell you how to vote or to persuade you towards a specific candidate or party. Fulfilling the Ministry does not endorse any candidates or political parties. In fact, there are a few things Mel and I don’t necessarily agree on politically. And that is OKAY. We agree on the main points of the Gospel and that is more than enough. Today’s post is more to encourage you to care about politics and how to approach them from a (very basic) Christian manner. Now, with that being said, I am opinionated and do enjoy talking about politics in safe environments, so if that is what you’d like to do- let’s have ice cream one day and talk!

Self-Control is used for so many things. Food, habits, fighting against sin, and a plethora of other things, and we, as christians, are promised a helper when it comes to self-control.

I chose ESV for this because it says self-control explicitly, but CSB says “sound judgment” instead, and I love both! We live in a world where self-control is treated like a frivolous virtue. Why be in control or disciplined when you can indulge in just about anything you want. Between the internet, media, and even our own relationships, everything we could ever want is right at our fingertips, all we have to do is do. 

Life isn’t fair. Did you guys know that? I can’t remember the exact moment that I realized it, but I remember it’s been a long time. And, while I think the phrase in itself is cynical and not altogether useful, I do think there’s some merit to it. There is no point in the Bible or history that God has told us that things would be hunky-dory. There’s no verse that says life will be fair just because we believe in Him, the Bible literally tells us otherwise.

Instead, amid a week where I have struggled with the unfairness of this pregnancy, my husband taught the kids about this verse in Psalms. He taught the kids that we are never truly alone. Even if we feel like it, even if we physically are on our own, we are never without our Lord God. 

Have you ever been brokenhearted, reader?

Love God and love others. Jesus walked this earth 100% human, He KNOWS how hard people make it to love them. I promise, even as lovely as you are, reader, you’re also difficult to love to someone out there. Jesus knew this and still told us that this is the second greatest command.

Gossip isn’t usually intended maliciously: we view it as venting usually. But that doesn’t change the fact that if someone heard us saying these things, they’d be hurt.

This is a judgment free zone, so it’s okay to admit where we’ve fallen short, but it’s not okay to stay there. Let’s read that verse together: “...His religion is useless and he deceives himself.” Can we all just say “oof” together on this? If we can’t control our tongue, and we do EXACTLY what I just admitted to doing, my religion is useless.

Does God really care about the occasional mean thing I say? Is it really that big of a deal? Let’s talk about it.

Everything God says is truth. His truth is forever and it doesn’t change.

Are you content with life? If you’ve been reading our posts, you may know that my pregnancy has been a hot mess the last few months. God has blessed me with the test of a lifetime: terrible prognosis after terrible prognosis for my baby. 

It went from “she probably won’t make it” to “we’re very sure she has down syndrome.” Then “she has a heart defect, but we don’t know how severe it is” to “she most definitely has downs, and a huge hole in the middle of her heart that will need surgery.” 

What a roller coaster. 

And if the definition of godliness is conforming to the character of God (in regards to our thoughts, feelings, actions, desires) I can tell you that this “godliness with contentment” is hard when things are NOT going as we have planned.