Beautiful Balance

Before vacation I began a series called "Beautiful Battle" based on a novel about spiritual warfare by Mary DeMuth. This was going to be partnered with "Joyful Mothering;" however, she pushed the series back until later this fall. I felt the nudge to go ahead and begin. I felt that there were pieces in this novel that I needed to know sooner rather than later. I was right.

I'm going to begin where I left off on Chapter 4 of "Beautiful Battle" where I learn all about balancing fear and faith...

photo credit

When thinking of Spiritual Warfare, there is the possibility of both dismissing its existence and over dwelling on the unseen struggles. Amazingly, these two opposites can even happen with close encounter to the other. Spiritual Battles take many forms and it is possible to focus too much on one aspect while others blow past you.

Chapter for of DeMuth's "Beautiful Battle" discusses balancing the perspective of spiritual warfare. The title of the chapter describes DeMuth's intention well-- "Living the Right Story: Balancing Between Ignorance and Overreaction."

Satan has many names, but so does God. For every name and description of Satan, God has one better. The bible shows over and over again that Satan has no power against the Almighty God. God created Satan, Jesus took authority over him and has already defeated any of Satan's activity. Jesus has also presented that authority to us by being the sacrifice and sharing his blood.

photo credit

"Adversary" is one of Satan's many names. It means to hide in ambush, like prey. However, the Lord is our Shepard and protects s from prey. God protects us from Satan's attacks.

One of Satan's greatest tricks is temptation, which labeled him "the tempter." It is important to remember that it is Satan who tempts, not God.

"And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else." James 1:13

It is also important to remember, regarding temptation, that God is in control of Satan and will not allow more than you are capable of handling.

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When yo are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Corinthians 10:13

photo credit

There are many trials in life, times of ups and downs, and happenstances beyond our control. I'm am going through that right now with my third miscarriage. It is a struggle that I know God has weighed whether I can handle it. Thankfully, I am strong enough in faith with Him that I can. Through all the rough times God provides a way and watches after his beloved children. Through struggle God strengthens us and brings us closer to Him. The struggles I face right now has put me face to face once a again with a God that listens, grieves with me and strengthens me.

Satan is a liar and a deceiver. DeMuth makes the point that Satan is unable to speak the truth. God on the other hand only speaks truth.

"Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

photo credit

Although Satan leads with lies, false inspiration, and attempts to destroy good, God is light, hope and truth. Satan cannot destroy God or what he protects. If we keep our eyes focused on God and righteousness we will see through Satan's lies and deceptions.

There is a fine line between calling Satan out and expecting him in every little aspect of life. Though we should not take Satan's worldly influences lightly, we should also not obsess over his schemes because that is the precise attention he desires. God is bigger. By going through Jesus and being covered by his blood we tap into his authority over Satan. Jesus' sacrifice overthrew any hope of Satan's success by conquering all sin.

photo credit

We need to focus on God, but still have an understanding of Satan's schemes. We must look inward to our souls and strengthen our relationship with God which will reduce our attention on distractions, judgments and views of worldly success. We should strive toward Godly standards. It isn't easy, but it is important to find a balance between fear and faith.

*Note: This is a series that I will link up with at "Joyful Mothering;" however, the group discussion will not begin until later this fall. For now, I feel compelled to continue studying and posting what I learn.

Devotional Study based on "Beautiful Battle" a novel by Mary DeMuth.

The Beautiful Battle Series:
Part One: Foundations
Introduction: "Warrior Women"
Chapter One: “Beautiful Battle”

Chapter One: "Woman at the Well"
Chapter Two: "Satan: The Enemy"
Chapter Three: "Why Do We Suffer?"

Chapter Four: "Beautiful Balance"

Wordless Wednesday: Train Ride *Linky*

Train Ride

Join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun and link your post!

Refrigerator Oatmeal Breakfast

Stephen actually found this recipe, which turned out to be delicious. I want to give thanks to Monica over at "The Yummy Life" for sharing such a wonderful treat. Now I want to share it again with you because a delicious, inexpensive, easy breakfast.

Delicious Ingredients

For the base of the recipe you will need:

• mason jars (1/2 pint or 1 pint)
• reusable lids for the jars
• Old Fashion Oats (not instant or quick)
• Almond milk
• Greek yogurt
• Chia seeds* 

On top of this basic recipe you can add all sorts of fruit and flavors to make the taste just what you want it to be and become even more delicious. Monica has all sorts of variations at "The Yummy Life."

Adding all the ingredients together!

The first step is to add the ingredients in to the mason jars:

• 1/4 cup Old Fashion Oats
• 1/3 cup Almond Milk
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 Tbs Chia seeds*

Then you close the lid for the jar and shake vigorously. If you are adding fresh fruit, do so after shaking so you don't smash it. This is actually pretty fun. 

Shake, Shake, Shake!

Now is the time to add fresh fruit, if you choose. So far we have only tried bananas and honey, which was delicious. Monica suggests adding bananas and cocoa that sounds amazing. You can add raspberries, blueberries, peaches, strawberries, or whatever flavors you want to. After you add the fruit, stir it in smoothly to mix it all up.

Next, make sure the lid is on tight and put it in the refrigerator. Let it sit overnight and you have a delicious breakfast waiting for you in the morning. Easy right? I thought so. 

Refrigerate overnight for a delicious, filling breakfast.

The best part about this recipe is that you can change it however you like. If you don't like almond milk, then try regular milk or another flavor. You can try a flavored Greek yogurt like honey or vanilla. You can add or take away as much as you want to make this a unique and delicious breakfast or energy meal.

All About Chia Seed

*Now for the Chia seeds...

I have never heard of supplements like this until recently, but now I love them. Chia seeds are used for energy, cardiovascular functions, digestive health, balancing blood sugar and lowering cholesterol. These are easily digestible and good for your health. They have no real taste but contains lots of Omega-3 (the good kind of fatty acids) and is an antioxidant. You simply add a tablespoon to yogurt, cereal, smoothies, salads or baked goods. Chia seeds are organic, gluten free and have no preservatives. It is a good addition to any diet. I found Chia seeds at Whole Foods, but can possibly find them at other similar stores, drug stores or amazon. [For more information]

Stephen and I love this recipe and idea in general. I am glad to share this with you. If you try this recipe I would love to hear how you liked it and what different flavors you tried. 

One More Miscarriage

I don't even know where to start writing this...we are not having a baby, at least not right now.

We went to the doctor right before our trip to New England and the doc said there was no baby. The embryonic sack was there, but no baby was developing in it.

WHAT!?!

I was devastated. I actually wrote a whole entry about it on that day. However, I never published it. We were going on vacation the next day and I decided I did not want to deal with it. Honestly I still don't. I wanted this baby, I want a house full of kids, but it wasn't meant to be, at least not right now.

The only picture of the baby we will never have

Now, I am not so emotionally wound up and can probably write about it better anyway. 

Even though we were seeing friends and family on our vacation, I didn't want to rise concern. I just wanted to enjoy our vacation. And I did. But I had to deal with it again as soon as we got back. The ultrasound showed exactly what I thought it would. An embryonic sac with no baby that hasn't grown hardly any in the past two weeks. No more hope or praying will do anything to change the fact that there isn't a baby and I will have another miscarriage, my third in a row.

The phenomenon is called a blighted ovum or an anembryonic pregnancy. Basically it means that a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus wall, but never forms the embryo within the sac. This is not that uncommon and actually makes up almost half of the causes of miscarriages in the first trimester. It is most often the cause of abnormal chromosomes or other reasons a baby would not develop correctly. This is not anything that can be prevented. There is some great information about this on the American Pregnancy Association site.

So there is nothing I can do but wait. I haven't actually miscarried yet, but it is inevitable. I strongly want to give my body the opportunity to do it naturally as it should. However, I have another appointment in two weeks and if it is still stagnant I will follow through with a D&C to clean the empty sac from my body. If I have to be honest this scares me greatly. Anytime you have to use a medical procedure there is the possibility of complications. Not to mention, I don't want to think about the fact that this is the same procedure they use to abort fetuses. This is silly because I know there is no baby, but it still makes me sad.

I am a very natural person. When I had my daughter I had a completely natural delivery, no pain killers or anything, and I am very thankful that I did. I have passed two miscarriages completely naturally and I hope and pray that this one occurs the same way. I do not like medical intervention when it can be at all prevented. I understand that complications may arise if I let the sac stay stagnant too long, but in two weeks I will only be supposedly 11-12 weeks pregnant so that will pretty much be the cut off of time. If it isn't happening naturally by then it will be time to intervene.

We have talked about getting genetic testing or other testing done to find out why we have had three miscarriages. However, we have one perfect little girl already. I have  no idea what could have changed after we had her, neither does our doctor. I have no other symptoms (even subtle ones) of anything else being wrong. The ultrasound technician assured me that my uterus and ovaries were all in perfect condition. I have no idea why we are miscarrying. Stephen believes that we have just been unlucky three times. I hope he's right. (He also told me to play the lottery because squeezing in the minority of statistics seems in my favor right now.)

I don't want to try for more kids anytime soon. After this all passes I am getting back on birth control and focusing on living and being happy right now. Stephen is making me promise to keep my mind open to having more kids in the next year or two or more. But I'm not sure. I am tired of torturing my body and mind with trying to have kids and failing. I am happy with our one wonderful little girl. If she is all we have I will be happy about that. I realize how blessed we really are to have our beautiful Zoey-bug. Besides, there are always other options to have kids. Adoption has been on our minds lately. It may not be for another year or two, but if we choose to grow our family more, there are other ways that can be a true blessing to not just us, but others as well.

What it all boils down to the fact that this sucks, a lot. However, I have now had time to accept this an make a new plan. In good news this means I will be able to consume alcohol and coffee again. I will be able to eat sushi and other yummy things that I couldn't before. I don't have to worry about not picking Zoey up or playing rough. I can start exercising more intensely and start "Insanity," which I am actually really excited about. We can take Zoey to Disney World next summer because we won't have an infant to worry about. We will have extra money and get or debts paid off faster. I would rather have a baby than all of this, but it is what is keeping be from being incredibly depressed about the whole situation.

                         

Jeremiah (Bible in 90 Days)

photo credit

How do you measure success? Is it all about money and how much stuff you have or how expensive each item is? Is it about how many friends you have or how popular you are? What your job title is or how influential you are? Those are all characteristics that society finds successful. But God finds success in a different light.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that all those things are meaningless without God—He should know because he had all of that and more. But what is the point of having worldly success if God doesn’t find you successful?

Jeremiah was a man who the world would have declared a failure. He was poor, no one listened when he spoke, he was thrown in prison at one point and he was rejected by his king, friends and family.

photo credit

However, God wasn’t looking at those things—God looked at Jeremiah’s heart and saw that it was good. Jeremiah stood alone speaking God’s word and weeping for the doomed fate of God’s cherished country. God saw the faith; sacrifice and love Jeremiah had for him and the people of Judah and considered Jeremiah a true success.

Jeremiah’s message centered on this theme: Repent and turn to God or you will be punished. He spoke, the people did not listen and they were punished. Jeremiah ends with the prophecies of destruction coming true—the country of Judah is crushed and its people either went into exile in Babylon or they perished by sword or famine.

photo credit

Jeremiah showed tremendous faith and courage throughout his life. He took the message he was called to share very sincerely and prayed for those who dismissed him. He presents a good example of success in God’s eyes.

“The Lord game me this message: I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4