Thursday, January 3, 2013

Moving Realizations (Part Three) Decorating!



Well it has been a little over 2 months since we moved into our new place. A few comments have asked where we moved. We moved to a new town 100 miles down the road for a new job. We are settling in and loving the extra space and new surroundings we have now. But i will forever hold dear the memories of 'the mini mansion'. So, I have learned after 2 moves now that putting up pictures and decorating makes the house a home. It brings a warmth and depth and invitation to each of my family members  and guests that this is where they belong. They are home. It creates a place that no one else can recreate exactly.
It's individual style.
It's home. Our hearts will grow to know and call this apartment just that...home.
Seems like hearts and home just seem to go together. You know all the sayings home is where the heart is...








BREATHING DEEPER
What are the walls of my heart like? What does the welcome mat say at the entrance? Since I invited Christ into my heart it is His home afterall. Is there a warmth and depth that calls to Jesus? In this new year of 2013, I pray that my heart will hold bible verses that will thicken the walls of my heart to bring comfort and warmth and depth. I know that often in the christian realm, people speak of tearing down the walls of your heart and not having rooms but what would a house be without walls? Oh, that every challenge, trial, anxiety, and victory will resound off of my heart as Jesus' home to bring him glory over and over. I will strive to take down the selfish sinful decorations that I have put up in my heart and replace them with the beauty of the Holy of Holies.
So, we all have a choice as to what we put up in our home...This is Miracle's decorating












  This is Matthias' choice of decorating!














So, here is my starting list of hearts' decor for this new year:

THE ENTRANCE OF MY HEART
"And the PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

THE ROOMS OF MY HEART
"Through knowledge its rooms are filled with RARE & BEAUTIFUL TREASURES." Proverbs 24:4

THE WALLS OF MY HEART WILL BE THICKER WITH THESE
"My dear, Elizabeth (or insert your own name), Pay attention to my WORDS. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart." Proverbs 4:20-21

"Let LOVE & FAITHFULNESS never leave you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by PRAYER & PETITION with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
**This verse is my focus this year...to let my anxious thoughts of sick kids, dirty messy house, homeschooling fears, and desiring to be used by God...to allow all of this and more lead me to prayer and counts my daily blessings.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139:23

THE KEEPER AND RULER AND CONSUMER OF MY HEART (AND HOME)
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME!" Galatians 2:20

MY DECORATING CHALLENGE TO ALL MY GUESTS
So far God has brought an 11 year old girl, a 16 year old girl, a 50 year old single man, and a 40 year old single mom with a 5 year old son straight to my door...God is always on the MOVE and I want to be a part...so I best get decorating...
"Since, I have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from every thing that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

Jesus you took the nails so my decorating needs none. Thank you! Welcome home Jesus..."May you find my heart is steadfast for you, O God, my heart is steadfast, I will sing and make music." Psalm 57:7 

I think there are over 30,000 bible verses to choose from to start making our hearts a better home for Jesus. What are you waiting for? Jesus has the nails. He just wants your heart! (No assembly required, only one tool needed--the BIBLE).