Take Him To The Place

To the Fullest

Amanda Crabb — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:42:36 +0000

For as long as I can remember, I have loved being in the sunlight. It must have been prophetic that my mom said ; if she had not had a name picked out for me when I was born, it would have been Sunshine.

As a child I would be outside from daybreak until sunset. If it were summer months, you could guarantee that most of those hours involved some type of water. It didn’t matter if it were a sprinkler system, swimming pool, lake, or the Ocean. Water + Sun = awesome to me!

A lot has changed thru the years but one thing remains, I still love water and Sun! Three years ago when we moved to Tx, I was in awe when I realized that I could start my tanning as early as March. Not to mention that the complex we lived in had its own private tanning bed that I could use every 24 hours if I wanted. I was in Heaven. I’d never walk around pasty white again!

Come on, admit it… There’s nothing like hanging by the pool with those you love most in this world. Smelling barbecue on the grill; wait… Or maybe that’s my flesh baking in the sun.

Apparently I liked my skin, the way I like my bacon, extra crispy…

My skin had pretty much become so use to the over exposure that I rarely used sunblock.

I never even gave it a thought of the damage I might be causing to my skin.

Roughly 2 months ago I got a text from one of my dearest Friends in Ky. What I read would be a constant thought on my mind and in my prayers. It said this; please keep this between us for now, but I need your prayers. I’ve been diagnosed with Stage 2 Melanoma. I’ll be having surgery in a couple weeks to remove the spot and see if its gone beyond that. Then what she said got me. If you have any questionable spots, please get them checked. Early detection is the key.

We all have those places and think, nah… I have a couple on my back that seemed to concern my husband and friends who would see it in a swimsuit. If I had a $ for every time I heard, you need to have that checked out, I’d have a nice little savings.

So, I went to have these moles looked at. You’re never more vulnerable than to be completely checked over by a doctor. Picking a part every little imperfection. As she looked at my back she says; these look fine to me, but lets take pictures and I’ll compare them in 6 months. In my mind I’m thinking, I told everyone they were fine… Then I flip over and hear her say; now this concerns me. We need a biopsy of this.

It was mine, my husbands and a few of my friends prayers, that nothing would be hidden in this appointment. I just never fully expected them to see any cause for concern.

The biopsy is done, and now I wait… As a young mother, you cant help but think of the “what ifs”. Then, even worse you think, I maybe could’ve prevented this… Because of my stupidity or vanity, I could’ve caused serious harm to my body, that possibly could effect my family forever.

After 3 days of waiting, I get that call. Mrs Crabb I have your results from the biopsy. My voice cracked as I said; yes ma’am?

She said your results show moderately abnormal cells, which means we need to fully remove this mole. I thought to myself, mole? I thought it was a freckle… Anyway… Ok ma’am? We will schedule you in October to have it removed. Then she said this… If you hadn’t gotten this taken care of, if would have eventually turned into full blown cancer. Glad you came in.

After hanging up the phone, I informed the friends and Aaron who had been praying fervently with us concerning this. We all rejoiced that God had shed HIS light in areas where the enemy would have wanted to keep dark and hidden.

From that day forward I vowed to God and my family that I would use proper SPF while exposed to the Sun. And never visit another tanning bed again!

Truly our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. We are not our own; We were bought with a price. Therefore we are to honor God with our body.

I’m also a firm believer that I may face things in life to help others. I pray that next time you have a moment in the sun, you will consider what you’ve read here today and use proper sunscreen and clothing.

-My friend was the extra nudge that I needed to go. Praise God that after removing 3 of her lymph nodes she is cancer free!

The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they (you and me) may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

So, I will be the “White” girl that God created me to be! And I’ll live white to the fullest!

Stretching to Strengthen

Amanda Crabb — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:57:41 +0000

Have you ever felt like a rubber band, being stretched to your breaking point?
Have you ever said to yourself, “if one more thing happens, I’ll break”.
This seems to be a theme these days.
I’ve had conversations with several people over the last few weeks, and they all say the same thing, “I’m not sure how much more I can take”.

As Christian’s we love to blame everything on our enemy. No doubt that our adversary the devil, comes as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8. But, I wonder if we looked at it differently would we react differently?

Pastor Hagee said something in his sermon yesterday that stuck out. I’ve had this thought before, but I needed to hear it for
This season I’m walking thru.
GOD IS STRETCHING YOU TO STRENGTHEN YOU!

So, let’s state the obvious… I’m not a workout guru, however when I do workout out, I know the difference between stretching and not.

If you go to an aerobic class, they have you to do a warm up to get the blood pumping, and then they have you to stop and stretch.
As you’re stretching each muscle the instructor has you to breathe in 2,3,4 breathe out 2,3,4. It’s very calming even though you can still hear your heartbeat in your ears.
The deep breathing allows the oxygen to get to those muscles that you’re about to start ripping apart.
Then you carry on, do your workout and repeat the stretching at the end.
Even though you still feel the pain of the building and toning, there will be no serious damage if you properly complete the stretching process.

If you’re not properly stretched, you’re muscle will still build up, however it could be incorrect.

Things of the natural reflect the things of the spirit.

We all are asking God
To build our faith, however we’re shocked
When we feel the stretch.

We are in this building process. Take time out… Breathe in 2,3,4… Breathe out 2,3,4
Allow God’s presence to be the oxygen that fills the muscles of your
faith and trust the instructor of instructors to lead you into greatness!

In times of the breaking… Remember… Deep breaths 2,3,4

Solid Rock or Shifting Sand?

Amanda Crabb — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:04:51 +0000

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

It is so easy to place our trust in several different things in life.

Every day that I get into my car, I trust that it’s going to start and get me from one place to another.
I trust that when the day is finished that I’ll have a soft place to lay my head at night.
But where is our trust when it comes to our children, spouses, and other family members?
Relationships???

The scripture says
Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man

But does that mean that we shouldn’t “trust man” at all?
I think not…

Trust is the foundation of all relationships. Is your foundation solid as a rock? Or more like shifting sand?

As I’m going thru this “Trusting God” challenge I’m learning a lot about myself.

I’m learning that I’m more of a control freak than I thought I was…

Because I’m such a control freak it causes my other relationships in life to suffer. This could be for several reasons…
I don’t trust that they will be what I need in my life,
Or that they won’t complete the task that I need completed in life, so I attempt to just do it myself.
All I may get accomplished is building more walls between me and those people.

HERE ARE THE FACTS!

If my TRUST in God is the foundation of my life, it will cause my TRUST with others to increase. Why?

Because if I Trust God first, then everything else will fall into it’s rightful place!

If my grounded foundation is in God, then it doesn’t matter if everything else crumbles around me.

What happens when you have been so hurt because you trusted someone and they have let you down?

Once you have made the decision of what that relationship is to you, then you have to move on.

Remember this…
We ALL have fallen and come short of the glory of God.

IF you keep that person in your life, you need to understand that they can’t earn your forgiveness and trust again.
You choose to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

Sure they need to show that they are solid and have the right heart, but you have to look beyond the pain that was caused to you.

I believe a great healing comes over you when you choose to let go and Trust God!

HOW DO I TRUST AGAIN?

*Trust that He will give you direction in life.
He will show you, those that are for you and those that are against you.
*Trust that the word of God is true. That He will guard and protect you, if you let Him!
*Trust that His grace is enough.
And show the same Grace that’s been shown to you, time and time again.
*Pray, Pray, and Pray some more! When you’re not praying… Read the word of God for it will sustain you!

My prayer for us is, that as we are on this venture that we find ourselves allowing God to take us to the place of deeper understanding in what it is to Fully Trust HIM first!

“Trusting God”

Amanda Crabb — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:57:56 +0000

Have you ever realized that the more you proclaim and believe a specific word for your life, the harder you are fought?

I have decided to take the “Trusting God” challenge. It sounds really important, however it is something that I made up myself.

Here’s the “Trusting God” vision statement.
Instead of worrying, I believe. Instead of becoming frustrated, I rejoice. And when it looks hopeless, I hold on a little longer.

I’ve spoken these things over my life the last several mornings. I say, God, I know the situation looks this way, but I’m believing you’re turning it around.

On a certain day I prayed, I read the word but I didn’t fully “give it all to God”. I held on to the worry.

I found myself having one of those, “self-pity” moments. I was getting our car worked on, and as if that isn’t stress enough, I found myself starting to cry. Yes… The dreaded female melt down!
I quickly made my way to the restroom and locked myself in the stall. I wanted to feel peace, to feel safe.
There I found myself quoting the scripture that I studied earlier that morning.
Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
*What exactly is a refuge?
It’s being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.

It had felt as if the enemy was on strong pursuit of my faith. I become overwhelmed to the point of breaking. But I’m so thankful for the refuge I have in God.
I didn’t feel safe until I took shelter in Him!

I still declare to trust HIM with my future, my family, finances, ministry and our nation.
Still believing that He will accomplish the good work that He has started.

I want to ask you, do you have trouble fully trusting God to handle everything?
I do… We tend to create idols and manipulate situations to make them turn out the way we think they should.
Lets look at Sarah…
Gen 16:1-4
If she had fully Trusted God to do what he already said he would do, she wouldn’t have created the mess that we’re still paying for today.

Let’s be “God trusting” Women and Men! Let’s leave a path of faith for our children and Grand Children to follow!!!

Will you take the “Trusting God” challenge?
If yes, then Speak this verse over your life every morning.
*The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge and trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

God knows those who feel safe enough to fully put all trust in him!

Leave your comments here and tell me how you take refuge in Him.
What are you laying down in order for God to have his rightful place In your life?

How is it changing you, changing your family and changing the world?

Together- We can!

Boots were made for walking

Amanda Crabb — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:39:11 +0000

Being a born and raised Kentucky girl, I love the opportunity to run around barefoot. I know, I know… I’m giving truth to the thought that everyone in KY is shoeless.
When I was a child, the worse thing that might happen while being barefoot outside was, stepping in a “cow patty” or ending up with a “planters wart”… Gross, I know! But There was just something about the feeling of that green lush grass between your toes.
Now that I live in Texas I can’t even walk out in my backyard without shoes on.
The terrain here is so different. It’s considered to be very rough, dry and to top it off, you have stickers and possible snakes at every turn.
I may not go barefoot anymore, but I get as close as I can by wearing mostly just flip-flops.
I’ve come to the conclusion I’ll never get my “Texas Card” until I own a pair of cowboy boots.
I don’t think boots are ugly, actually there are several styles that I think are adorable, I just don’t find them overly comfortable.
A few Sundays ago, Pastor Matthew Hagee was teasing me about needing to wear boots. He said, “to get to the place you’re going, boots will take you there.”
I responded by saying, “that’s the truth, as Christians we have to walk through a lot of junk.”
He responded by saying, “Yes ma’am, the taller the tops, the deeper you can walk.”
Those statements got me to thinking.
We all are wanting to go from level to level… place to place… I can’t do what I was use to in KY, because I’m in a different place now.

So often we expect to arrive where we’re going without changing our shoes!

Ephesians 6:15 says;

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Shod- Fit (a horse) with a shoe or shoes (of a person) Be wearing shoes of a specified kind;

Growing up around horses, I knew that I couldn’t ride my horse in certain areas had their feet not been shod. It was for their protection and mine.

To be fit with the gospel of peace means being prepared for offense and challenges. It’s gonna happen! Walk as Jesus walked and forgive and give.

Peace is:
Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.

As we are going to the place, know that you will have heartache, trouble and trials. The terrain will get rough, but if your feet are shod with the correct protection, you will be just fine.

After all… Boots were made for walking, right?

Someone’s watching you

Amanda Crabb — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:13:08 +0000

This past week our little family enjoyed a few days of doing nothing! We were beach and pool bums for 3 days.
It was great to just stop and listen to our children. We did what they wanted to do, talked about what they wanted to talk about, and watched what they wanted to watch. We learned that they are growing so fast and there’s no stopping time. It seems like yesterday that Eli was Eans age and I thought that would never change. Now Eli is a brilliant young man with his own opinions and dreams. I love that he ask a million questions about life. He’s retaining all the information given to him for His future. I’ve always known it but realize more now than ever, that every move I make is so important.

Eva mimics everything I do. She always says, “mommy can I be your helper”? I’m teaching her how to one day be the “keeper of her home”. She loves to help me cook, and she’s now learning how to do the laundry. She also tries to be the “boss” over her brothers, which they both despise, but it’s in her to be a nurturer.

Ean seems as if he is growing overnight. Talks like a big boy and smiles at every turn. He watches his older siblings and his siblings are watching us parents.

The saying “you become what you eat” is more than just physical. You become what your surroundings are. Us parents set the atmosphere for our home. I want my kids to feel like they have a safe and loving environment to grow in. Part of the safe environment is discipline. Believe it or not… Children feel like they have a more solid foundation under them when there is a leader seeing that all rules are set and being obeyed. But there is also a time, (like this past week), to throw the rule book out the window. No bedtime, eat cookies before dinner, and mom and dads bed is open for those who get scared in the night.

Let your children see that you are the leader and you are setting rules for their protection, but I also believe that what makes a great leader is a great listener. Take the time to hear their thoughts and desires. Shut out the job, and worries of this life and spend quality time with your family.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

This scripture is no doubt talking about the spiritual things of life but I also believe it’s for the practical.

Parents, we are raising the next generation and they are watching us!
Let’s lead them to the place of greatness and success.

The Broken Ones

Amanda Crabb — Sun, 27 May 2012 16:22:16 +0000

This past week I sent Aaron to the grocery store to pick up a few things.
He very rarely goes to the grocery and when he does I can always count on a phone call from him asking, “what aisle is this on”? As I’m directing him though the store I said, “hey Aaron while you’re in that area go ahead and grab a carton of eggs”, of course me being his navigation system he has no choice but do as I’ve asked. (Insert evil tone) Hahaha…
He says I’ve got them and heading to checkout. I’m sure by this point Aaron is ready to get me off the phone for fear that I’ll keep asking him to get stuff.
I said Aaron did you check the eggs to see if they were broken? He said do I need to? I said yes you do, If you bring them home broken, I can’t use them. I hear his voice say- well sure enough they are broken. He walked back to the egg section to switch them out for a carton full of unbroken eggs.

As I hung up the phone I felt the Lord began to speak to me.

So many of us have been handled carelessly. Some of us have been dropped. Others have been accidentally bumped by the cares of life and now your laying shattered into a million pieces.
I’m thankful that when man will set you back on the shelf, God says, I see value in the broken ones.

You are the ones who will put all hope in me because that’s all you have left.
You know what it is to hurt. You know what it is to lose. You know how betrayal feels and you’ve been purposely abused.
As you’re setting on the shelf believing your days have passed, take your pieces to the master and he’ll give you hope that will last!

Of course I can’t help but think of Humpty Dumpty when talking about broken eggs. All was lost for him as the king’s horses and the king’s men couldn’t put him together again.

There is a greater hope for you today!

Allow Jesus to piece you back together and give you a whole life in HIM!

Meditate On It!

Amanda Crabb — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:01:39 +0000

Do you ever find yourself waking up in the morning and getting so caught up in the days activities that you forget to meditate on Gods word?

To me it’s so easy to make these simple mistakes without realizing what is happening.

As followers of Christ we are commanded to put God first before anything and yet we constantly put our spouses first, our kids first, our jobs and our worries.

Worry is a seed that if we allow it to take root it becomes who we are. Worry makes you paranoid. You become that person that always thinks that someone is out to get you and destroy you, then on the defense you are building a wall between you and everyone around you. And ultimately you are building a wall between you and God!

How do I know these thing? I’ve been there. I’ve gotten stuck in my stinkin thinking and it has poisoned things in my past.

Worry is a Verb: Give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.

When you choose to dwell in a place that is toxic you become toxic. How did I turn it around?

I had built these huge walls thinking it was a form of protection, however it was destruction. I had to choose to tear them down brick by brick. Bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, anger, hurt, resentment, jealously, envy, and so much more. I decided that I didn’t want to live my life separated from God and from those that God had placed in my life.

Instead of dwelling in the place of worry, that brought about bad fruit, I decided to meditate on the word of God and the promises that he had for me. To meditate doesn’t mean that you have to sit in one place shutting everything out. It means to think on it throughout your day. Instead of allowing your thoughts to be pulled to worry, meditate on the things God has promised about your situation.
Renew your mind daily!

Cast your cares upon Him for he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Matthew 6:34 says
“therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it’s own things.

Phil
4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

NOW… Press forward and allow God to take you to the that place!

What A Mess!

Amanda Crabb — Sat, 19 May 2012 22:10:40 +0000

Do you as parents ever feel like all you do is clean and pick up the same things over and over?
This is much of how my life is on a daily basis. During the morning hours of the day I spend a couple of hours putting everything in it’s place, vacuuming, cleaning windows and mirrors and wiping down whatever the hands have left behind the night before. When it is finished, I just stop, take it in for a moment, knowing that it won’t last long!

The next day when I pick my children up from the bus, I have the same conversation day after day. “Hey guys, mommy has cleaned the house and I would appreciate it if you would help me keep it that way”! Their response, “Ok mommy.”

What happens next? They walk through the door and the backpack gets thrown on the floor, shoes and socks are left as if they needed a trail to find their way out of the house, and it’s all downhill from there.

As parents we all have our own list of rules and if you’re like me, you’ve drilled it into your children’s heads.

Pick up all of your things and put them where they belong.
DO NOT jump on the furniture!
You are not allowed to turn that TV up so loud that our neighbors hear it.
NO food in any part of the house other than kitchen!
Flush the toilet!!!!!
Take your dirty clothes to the laundry
No hitting each other with baseball bats.. (I’m raising 2 boys, but my girl has just as much grit as they do.)
Shut the door!!!
No back talking when asked to complete a task.
Do not ask to invite someone over in front of them!

Although my kids know these are a few of our house rules, on most days they ignore the fact they exist.

I caught myself the other night in the middle of a melt down.

“What have you done?”
“I had this perfect for you.”
“Look at the mess you’ve made and now I have to go back again and clean up after you.”
“Why is it so hard to follow a few simple rules?”

I wanted to punish my children so bad for not obeying me, But instead I found myself convicted. How many time has my heavenly Father looked down at me and said,

“What have you done?”
“I had this set perfect for you.”
“Is it so hard to follow a few simple rules?”
“Now I have to go clean up your mess”.

Our Heavenly Father works tirelessly cleaning up our messes.Thank God for Grace today! He has given us all a list of rules to live by and each one of us are guilty of breaking at least one if not all of them at some point in our life.

Romans 5:20 says;
Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.

We don’t always get into the trouble we deserve. Our Father may give us a talking to, and that is even painful to set through, but at the end we are reminded of how much HE truly loves us.

That night as tears rolled down my face, I cleaned up my children’s mess, knowing that God was cleaning up all of His children’s mess, including mine! Grace is a beautiful thing!

The Protective Helmet

Amanda Crabb — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:57:45 +0000

After talking about keeping your armor on, I was reminded of this devotion that Aaron wrote several weeks back.

I pray this speaks to you and encourages you to wear your protective armor!

EPHESIANS 6:17— AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.

THE HELMET PROTECTS THE HEAD, THE PART OF THE BODY THAT IS MOST VITAL TO QUALITY OF LIFE. IT IS THE THINKING PART WHERE CHOICES AND JUDGMENTS ARE MADE, WHERE ATTITUDE RESIDE AND SURGE FORTH IN CONDUCT. IT HOLDS KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM, AND MEMORIES OF LIFE EXPERIENCES. IT DETERMINES THE
KIND OF LIFE WE LEAD. THIS IS THE PART OF THE BODY THAT SATAN ATTACKS THE MOST.

WITH HIS HELP, I pray that you WILL MAKE TIME IN GODS WORD-QUALITY TIME-
HE WILL BE PRIORITY IN MY LIFE. WHAT DO YOU MAKE A PRIORITY?

YOURS TRULY
AARON