The Be One Life

Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength together a one.

Appointed Times

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During these days that some people are referring to as uncertain times, let’s remember a promise from the YHWH (God) of all creation that says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22 ESV)  YHWH established the times and seasons to continue on no matter the circumstances. We can always trust that YHWH is in control. He has appointed days for His children to worship, remember, and celebrate. Let’s take some time to consider these days that YHWH created for us to connect with him, so that we can grow into our calling of being holy.  As Peter said in 1 Peter 1:14-16: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Many people celebrate holidays every year such as easter, christmas, valentine’s day, halloween, and thanksgiving.  Some people only go to church service on christmas, mother’s day and easter. These days can be great times for families and friends to get together, but did you know none of these days are found in the bible?  They are not YHWH’s appointed times. Have you ever considered what YHWH says are his holidays or Holy days? Did you know that YHWH set aside several days in the bible that are Holy, set apart for Him?

Leviticus 23 lists the appointed days of YHWH, they are:

  1. Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 23:3; Deuteronomy 5: 12-15; Isaiah 56:1-7)
  2. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12; Exodus 13:1-10; Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 4:1-8; Deuteronomy 16:1-8)
  3. Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14)
  4. Feast of Weeks or Harvest (Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 23:15-22; Deuteronomy 16:9-12)
  5. Day of the Blast or Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25)
  6. Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32)
  7. Feast of Ingathering or Feast of Booths and Eight Day Feast (Leviticus 23:33-44; Deuteronomy 16:13-17)

These days help to sanctify us and prepare us to live in the presence of YHWH in Eternity (Exodus 31:12-17; Revelation 21:22-27).  Each of the appointed times points us to Yeshua (Jesus). The Sabbath points to the rest will have in Yeshua (Matthew 11:28-30 and Hebrews 4:8-11).  We see Yeshua in the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread in that he died on the day of Passover making him our Passover lamb and He removed the old leaven of sin from our lives (John 19:31-34; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8).  Yeshua is also the firstfruit wave offering because He was raised from the dead on the day of the wave offering (Leviticus 23:9-14 and Mathew 28:1-10). This makes Yeshua the firstfruits of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-26). The Feasts of Weeks or Pentecost is when Yeshua sent the helper he promised, the Holy Spirit (John 14: 15-21 and Acts 2) The Day of the blast or Trumpets points to when Yeshua will return (1 Corinthians 15:50-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).  When we observe the day of Atonement, we can look to Yeshua as the final sacrifice for atonement (Hebrews 10:1-18). The feast of ingathering or booths points to Yeshua’ return when He will gather up his people to dwell with Him (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 22:1-4). Yeshua and the Apostles observed these days (John 4:16-30; Matthew 26:17-29; John 7:1-39). Paul, the apostle and other followers of Yeshua continued to observe these days after Yeshua’s death (Acts 2:1-2; Acts 12:1-5;Acts 13:14-25; Acts 13:42-49, Acts 15:21; Acts 16:13; Act 17:2-3; Acts 18:4; Acts 20:13-16).  

Observing these days was so important that Paul says not to let anyone stop you from observing the sabbaths, festivals, and new moons (Colossians 2:16).  If YHWH says these are his days and Yeshua and his disciples after him observed these days, should not we, as YHWH’s children, observe YHWH’s appointed times over any other holidays?  The Lord made this promise to Soloman that holds true for all his people: “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14 ESV). What actions are we taking to humble ourselves and turn to the way of YHWH so that YHWH will shine his face on us and answer our prayers?

Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year!  Wait. Did we catch you off guard? It’s the beginning of April. What are they talking about?!?!

Have you ever wondered why the new year starts in the winter when its it cold, dark, and most of nature is dormant?  When the trees are bare and most of creation is resting and/or hibernating, does it really feel like the start of something new?  With winter comes dropping temperatures, short days, and long nights. While we believe it’s a beautiful season to rest and reflect–we aren’t so sure it is the time to start something new. Haven’t you always wondered why new year’s resolution never seem to work or they don’t last?  We have, and willpower aside, we realized that we are out of step with the rest of creation. Beginning the new year in the middle of the season of rest is simply out of step with the Creator’s design.


See, the YHWH’s (God) timing is different from man’s timing.  The Creator created everything with an order and a purpose. Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

 

YHWH put seasons and times in their respective places for a reason. He set the new year to start in the spring when the temperature begins increasing, the days start getting longer, and new life begins.  We see this in multiple places in scripture:

It was on the first day of the first month, in the six hundred and first year, that all the water from the great flood of the earth dried up and Noah opened the covering of the ark (Genesis 8:13). Man and animals saw dry ground again and started a new life that day, that new year.  

In the book of Exodus, the YHWH told Moses that the beginning of the year, the first month of Abib, would be the month of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The final plague, where the Israelites homes that were covered by the blood of the lamb were passed over and the exodus from Egypt took place during the first month of the new year. This was a new beginning for the children of Israel, having been freed from slavery in Egypt. It was also the beginning of God leading them to the land he promised Abraham more the 400 years before. (Exodus 12-14)

Later, on another first day of the first month, the YHWH had the tabernacle erected where HE would dwell among His people (Exodus 40).  After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites crossed through the Jordan river on dry ground into the promised land in the first month of the 41st year after leaving Egypt. Again, the start of a new life in the land Yahuah promised started at the new year. (Joshua 4)

This first month of the year according to Creator’s timing is marked by new life and increasing energy. Before Noah left the ark he sent out a dove and it brought back an olive leave. This olive tree was a sign of new life (Genesis 8:10-13). The word for the first month, Abib (אביב) , is a Hebrew word that means young ear of grain. There is also a feast of first fruits in the first month of the year (Leviticus 23:9-14). At what point in the year do we see fresh young grain or harvest first fruits?

The book of Esther tells us that the Israelites began calling the first month of the year Nisan while in Assyrian captivity (Esther 3:7) .  We also know that historically, the month of Abib or Nisan has fallen in March or April. Our Messiah, Yeshua, was crucified and rose again during the first month.

It it clear that the YHWH never intended our new year to start in the winter, but rather in the spring.  The spring is the time to begin new projects and look forward to what is to come. Most importantly, it is our time as a community to remember our Passover Lamb and His ultimate sacrifice to make deliver us from sin and death.

 

Let’s start anew this new year…in Him.

 

The new year starts on the first new moon after the spring equinox.  This year the first day of the first month is around April 5-6. Look up at the moon for a tiny sliver of light and see for yourself.  Let’s celebrate the start of the new year at the time the Creator appointed. Happy New Year!

 

Unity Bound in Peace

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Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. -Ephesians 4:3-4 (NLT)

What is peace? How can we live in it? Peace is not just the absence of war. Peace is a blessing from Jesus; a state in which we are reconciled with God. We have peace when we are one with the Source. Jesus created all things and in him all things are held together. Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Let us meditate on how can we live together in peace after we first accept the beautiful gift of peace from Jesus. It is this peace that bonds us in unity.

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus, wrote in Ephesians 4 that we who believe in Jesus should “make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” We are called to use peace as the bonding agent to keep us united in the Spirit. Being united in the Spirit is not about everyone having to agree about everything, but about the whole body agreeing that Jesus is the head. The unity of the body of believers is motivated by our one glorious hope for the future, the hope of eternity in heaven with Jesus. This foundational hope can lead us a live worthy of our calling!

How can we continue to keep this peace and be one in the Spirit? Paul gives some insight into this in Ephesians 4:2; “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Let us answer this call by God to live our lives in peace with one another! This teaching has great application to our marriages. The bond of peace helps us to act as one with our spouse. When we cultivate peace in our marriages by practicing humility, gentleness, patience, and making allowances for each other’s faults because of love, we will be united in the Spirit. Be One in the Spirit!

Soul Care Vs. Self Care

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The idea of self care has permeated our culture. Everywhere you turn, you are encouraged to take “me time” or to “treat yourself.” There is nothing inherently wrong with self care. We do need to care for ourselves. In order to love well, we have to be physically and emotionally capable of doing so.

We know that taking time to relax, recharge, and reset are not inherently wrong. But what happens when the usual tools of self care are not enough?

What happens after you spend time alone (or with friends)? After the vacation? The manicure/pedicure? After the shopping trip? The gym? The yoga class?

What happens when you practice self care but you still feel a hollow place of longing from deep within?

Let me introduce you to soul care.

But first, let’s explore some differences between self care and soul care.

 

Self Care vs. Soul Care

Focus: Me Focus: God, the Source
Purpose: Disconnect to recharge, restore, reset Purpose: Connect to the Source of all that is good & beautiful
Result: Quick, temporary results; usually external Result: Intentional, multi-dimensional internal change

 

What is the soul? The soul is that place of deep longing. It is the life and light within you that needs to connect to the Source of all light and life. It is the part of you that knows that there is something more–that there are greater depths to explore and more meaning than what we see.

Why soul care? When you begin a practice of soul care, you are jumping into the deep and wide river of the Source’s love. You are choosing to continuously connect and reconnect to the Source. You realize that the focus is not yourself, but you will change. You are committing to slow down and pay attention to what is happening in your inner world.

A few soul care practices that we use at Be One Yoga are Meditation, Silence, Prayer, and Storying.  You owe it to yourself to not only practice self care, but to practice soul care to connect your soul to the Source, the only answer for the longings of the soul.

Faithfulness – Blessed

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IMG_1018“Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” -John 20:29 (NLT)

This blessing is for us! The Creator and Sustainer of the universe and all therein gives us a special blessing because we believe in Him even though we have not seen Him.

The greek word here for blessed is makarios and means happy or content. We are considered content (having all that we need) because we have believed in Jesus without seeing. Does this make us blind followers of some crazy story passed down through generations? Do we have blind faith?

No. It simply means we have faith; an assurance of our hope and an absolute conviction for what os to come.

We see the evidence of our Creator God everywhere. The evidence lies in the intricacies of this vast universe, our beautiful world, and the delicate design of our beings. It also lies in our ability and need to be creative as image bearers of our Creator.

We have faith because God has left His signature on everything good in creation. Romans 1:2 says “for ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

This month, we will be exploring the topic of faith and faithfulness. Ours to the Creator and His to us. Our prayer is is that we would all receive Jesus’ blessing and return to our childlike faithfulness with awe and reverence of our God.

Faithfulness

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faithfulnessWhen we think about faithfulness, it is hard not to think about love as well. Faithfulness and love go hand in hand. Love produces faithfulness. We learned love from God, who in his loving kindness and infinite mercy personified love in the form of Jesus to save the world (John 1:14). God did not form this plan haphazardly; He laid out this plan before time began. God showed unending faithfulness and love for his creation (us) by sending his Son, Jesus, to the earth to redeem all humanity (John 3:16-17). In turn, Jesus was loving and faithful to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins (Romans 5:6-11). Because we are made in the image of God, we ought to reflect this love and faithfulness towards God and each other. (Mark 12:29-32; Mark 8:34-36).

Our love and faithfulness to God should overflow into our marriages and families. God gives us the example of a faithful spouse in his faithfulness to Israel (Hosea 2:19-20). Jesus gives us the example of the faithful spouse in his faithfulness to his bride, the church (Ephesians 5:25-33). As husbands and wives, God has called us to be one. An excellent way to do this is to practice faithfulness in though, word and deed, allowing nothing come between you.

As spouses, parents, children, and friends, let us show love and faithfulness with our relationships the way God shows love and faithfulness to us.

Ask, Seek, Knock…Our Journey to Puerto Rico

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Askseekknock“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” -Matthew 7:7-8

Prayer works! As we reflect on our move to Puerto Rico, and how everything everything transpired, we can only conclude that IT IS A GOD THING. Ever since this move was a desire in our hearts, God has been working it out detail by detail. One of our favorite channels is HGTV. Our DVR is full of the many housing hunting series. Like most people, we watched it and said it would be great to live on the beach one day. The problem with “one day” is that day never comes, or we wait till we retire to make the move. We began asking ourselves why not make the move now and enjoy it, if we get the opportunity?

We prayed often asking God to allow us to move somewhere warm near the beach where we could live and serve. Sure enough God answered the call, and our jobs opened up so that we could live anywhere in the contiguous United States. Where in this huge country with 1000’s of miles of coastlines did we land? Williamsburg, VA–a city not far from the ocean but not particularly close either. We did not seek out places by the beach to move. We did not walk through that door God had opened for us. We ended up further away from what we were praying for. Can you relate? Of course With God, nothing is wasted. He used our time in Williamsburg as preparation for what was to come.

After almost two years in Williamsburg we asked God again to show us somewhere we could live and serve him with a warm climate near the ocean. Not much later, our jobs extended work locations to Puerto Rico. Matthew 7 calls God our Father in Heaven who gives good and advantageous things to those who keep asking him!

This time we decided to step out on faith; to not just ask, but to seek also. We planned a trip to Puerto Rico for our tenth wedding anniversary. Those months leading up to that trip were difficult for a number of reasons. Our “planner, perfectionist” tendencies tried often to take over. We learned everything we could about Puerto Rico and went back and forth many times about whether it was the right thing to do for our family. We also let doubt start to crept in, and began looking other “safer” places to move like Virginia Beach or Jacksonville. In the end we decided to trust that God would show us where we should go and to wait patiently for our trip.

On our anniversary trip, we continued our search and God laid out the way for us. After worshipping with a church on the island, we met a woman who had moved just a year before. She gave us the contact information for her realtor. God presented us the opportunity to knock and we did. We contacted the realtor on that Sunday. He contacted us right back and began finding houses for us to view. He set up viewings the next day, and when we walked into the third house, we knew it was the one. We started moving forward on securing the house, and checked one more time about working from Peurto Rico. That is when a stumbling block was placed in front of the door God had opened for us.

We found out that our job would require flying to DC for five days each month. We stopped and prayed for God to be with us as we stepped over the stumbling block and walked through the door he had opened for us. We secured the house on Tuesday and flew back home on Wednesday. God is such a good, good Father! Not only only did he facilitate a three day house search, but he just kept on giving. Less than a week after we returned home, we received notice that the job requirement to return to DC was removed. Praise God! He sealed the deal and we were set for our adventure in Puerto Rico. God even worked out the rental of our home in the states by sending us a family from Puerto Rico to live in our house!

We know that we are here “for such a time as this.” God has an assignment that He has given all of us–“to go into all the world and make disciples.” For now, Puerto Rico is our part of the world, where is yours? Will you let your light shine for
the Father wherever you are?

How much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11)

Wives, How to S.H.O.W. Jesus In Your Marriage: Honor Your Current Season

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marriage_seasonsHappy Truth Tuesdays! We’re rolling through our series now.   So far we have talked about how important it is for Jesus girls to show Jesus in our marriages.  Then we went on to talk about how that begins at home.  This week, I want to talk about an issue that many women struggle with.

This is the third post in a series.  Click here to read the introduction to the series, and here to read the first topic.  

Our society is such an instant gratification society, but is that a Godly way to approach our marriages?

If we are to Show Jesus in our marriages,  we MUST honor our current season.  Did you realize that our lives go through seasons?

Too many times as  women, especially, we do not have the perspective to understand that everything doesn’t last forever.  When you are young, or especially when you are in the throes of a difficult season, like young motherhood, everything seems never-ending, am I right?    The feeding is never-ending, the changing diapers is never-ending, the watching Frozen and Dora the Explorer is never-ending, the chauffeuring and playdating and teaching and taking care of everyone else is never-ending.

But guess what?  It does end.  And then something else begins. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

See, I believe that too many of us spend our time envious of others that are simply in a different season.  We spend so much time trying to live in someone else’s season during someone else’s time that we miss the ability to be purposeful in our own seasons. 

To SHOW Jesus, we must honor our current season by practicing contentment.  We must realize that our current season is where God wants us to be and when he is ready for us to move, He will make it clear.

Spend your current season making a difference where you can be most useful for God.  If you have young children, serve with your family, reach out to other young wives and mothers to form strong relationships.  Be an encourager as you seek encouragement.  Most of all, know that you are useful and that this season is an important one.  You are laying the foundation for your marriage and your children.

Most importantly, SHOW Jesus by honoring your current season and making the choice to serve God where you are right now.  Remember we are only promised today, so we must make the most of it for ourselves, our marriages and the kingdom of God.

I’m so guilty of not honoring my current season.  I have wished time and again that the tantrums and the late night feedings would be over so that I could do ________ (fill in the blank).  I realized though, that this particular season is just as important in our marriage as all of the others.

Understanding my Color Type and adjusting my attitude towards my current season can make all the difference.

What about you?  Have you ever wished you were in a different season?  What can you do today to honor your current season that would make a positive change in your marriage?

Wives, How To S.H.O.W. Jesus in Your Marriage: Start At Home

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start_at_homeHow do we begin to SHOW Jesus in our marriages?

 

Happy Truth Tuesday!  This is the second post in a series.  If you missed the first post (where I talk about how I learned this lesson from my toddler), you can read it here.

Last week I told you that as “Jesus girls,” we are called to show Jesus and His love everywhere we go.  One of the places we tend to have trouble doing this is at home.  Sisters, let me tell you that HOME is the most important place to begin. In order to S.H.O.W. Jesus in our marriages, we must first: Start at home.

Now notice that I didn’t say we have to stay at home.  I said we have to START at home.  

When you show Jesus,we recognize that the first church that you are responsible to and for is the church that lives in your home everyday.  In using the word church this way, I’m talking about the people in our lives, not the buildings we meet in.  Your family, the Christians and Christians in training in your home are the church that you meet with every.single.day.  They are the people we have the greatest influence over and the greatest responsibility to in this life.

When we are really showing Jesus, we must first make sure we are ministering to the church in our own homes. 

So many of us want to make big changes in the world.  We want to go out and make a difference in the lives of our co-workers, our friends and the world at large.   We want to matter.  Those aspirations are all good, sisters.  God calls us to that, too.  However, when we are wives, our first responsibility, the first way we show Jesus is to start at home.

We start by showing the love of Christ to our husbands. We start at home by:
  • building our husbands up
  • encouraging them
  • speaking to them in a Christ-like way
  • not using the Word of God as a weapon against them, but as a tool that can be used to speak to their hearts.
  • focusing on their strengths and not their weaknesses.

Titus 2:4-5 calls us to love our husbands—we love them by showing Jesus to them. We show Jesus in our homes when our lives reflect the Word of God, and our lives reflect the love of Christ each day.

When we fill the people in our homes up with this kind of love, it will then have no other choice but to spill over into other areas of our lives.        

Our world needs more examples of Jesus’ love both inside and outside of marriage.

Don’t forget to come back next week for the “H” in how we can SHOW Jesus in our marriages.

What can you do to SHOW Jesus to your husband today?

How To S.H.O.W. Jesus in Your Marriage: Part 1

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wedding_rings_fixedOur family mission is simple:  We show Jesus.  In all that we do as a family, we make sure that nothing takes away from that mission.  As a part of this mission, it’s been my personal goal that as I advance my career as a wellness and fitness teacher that I don’t forget that the true call on my life is to show the love of Jesus wherever I go.

A few months ago, I was asked to speak at a Ladies’ Day, and of course I wanted to say no.  God had different plans for me, and though the Spirit, I was able to craft a message that I pray will speak to your heart.

I have been timid for years with sharing God’s word, and after lots of prayers for boldness, here I go. The Bible passage I’m using is Titus 2:4-5.

Funny that this lesson starts with a lesson I learned from my toddler.

She is the person who helped me to understand this passage more clearly.  How many of you have or have had a toddler?  Right now I’m in full-blown toddler season, ya’ll–pray for me.

One Sunday morning a little while back we were getting ready for church. You know how it is on a Sunday morning when you have littles.  You’re rushing around trying to get them ready and yourself ready and everybody out of the door.  But it isn’t working because:

A toddler will do EVERYTHING in their power to derail your plans.

My toddler girl  was “helping” me get ready for church.  So while I was rushing around she asked me a question that stopped me right in my tracks.

She said to me “Mommy are you a ShJesus girl?”  

Now to be honest, I was only half listening the first time, so I answered her with a  “Huh?”  She said it again, louder this time and seemingly annoyed that I didn’t understand her the first time.  In her two-year old tongue she repeated rather loudly “You a ShJesus girl?”

I have to admit, sisters, I was floored. 

I had no idea how to answer her.  So many long-winded, over the top answers raced through my mind, and then, after a few moments, when I didn’t think I would ever have the words to answer her, the Holy Spirit gave me the words to say.   I found myself simply saying:

Yes, yes I am baby.  I’m a ShJesus girl.  I.am.a.Jesus.girl. and so are you.

It was then that I realized that this is what this passage, Titus 2:4-5 is about.  It is not a checklist like it’s made out to be.  It’s not a set of rules, either.   It’s simply a way for us Jesus girls to “show Jesus to our husbands, to our children, and to the world.

You see, so many of us look at this like a check list or a job description.  As a matter of fact, when I first got married, I thought that if I did these things I would be a good wife.  Soon though, I came to see that checking things off the list didn’t get me any closer to my husband, or to God.  What God is after, what our husbands and our children are after is not our “to do list.”  They want our hearts.  So, I ask you, my sisters, to begin looking at this passage with me another way.  Instead of a to do list to be accomplished or a set of rules to follow, let’s see it as another avenue that we have as wives or future wives to simply “Show Jesus.”

In the coming posts, I will begin breaking down the S.H.O.W. Jesus into each of its parts.  The next post will focus on how we as wives can show Jesus by “Starting at Home.”  Look for it next Tuesday!

This was a hard post for me to share because I’ve always been very timid with sharing God’s word publicly.  I’m growing, though, and in this season, I’m choosing bravery!

What’s your family mission statement?  I’d love to hear all about it.

The Be One Life

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