What does being a christian mean?

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

What does it mean to be a christian?  What does it look like? Does it mean that I can't have fun and have to completely change my lifestyle?  I've done so many wrong things I don't know where to even start.  Do any of these questions sound familiar?



I was so confused by the world of christianity, I didn't know what it meant.  My family went to a lutheran church on Sundays, sometimes. I thought it was just something you just did.  That's it.  Never discussed afterwards.  We prayed before meals, the same prayer, every time.  Again, I thought it was just something we just did. Like a habit, or  a tradition.   Nothing past that, Jesus wasn't something we talked about.  Not that they were against it, I think they didn't understand themselves.  The only thing they knew about "religious people" were the examples they seen, and they weren't impressed.

It wasn't until I went to a Sunshine festival with a friend that I began to understand what it meant.  I received Jesus into my heart at a concert there.  I prayed the prayer, but still wasn't exactly sure what that looked like or what it meant for me and my life from there on out.  It was just a seed that had been planted.

I wanted to share some basics with you if you are new to living your life for Jesus! He wants to have a relationship with you and you can start today!  The awesome thing to remember is that HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH!  It doesn't matter what you've done in the past or present, He accepts us just as we are.  He will teach us through His word, the bible about how to live our lives for Him.

God's Plan

God loves you and wants you to experience His peace and life

The Bible says..."For God so lived the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Man's Problem-Separation

Being at peace with God is not automatic because you by nature are separated from God.  

The Bible says...."For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23

God Remedy-The Cross

God's love bridges the gap between God and you.  When Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave, He paid the penalty for your sins.  

The Bible says..."He personally carried the load of your wins in His own body when He died on the cross." 1 Peter 2:24

Man's Response-Receive Christ

You cross the bridge into God's family when you receive Christ by personal invitation.

The Bible says..."But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even those who believe in His name." John 1:12

To Receive Christ you need to do four things:

1. ADMIT your spiritual need.  " I am a sinner"

2.  REPENT and be willing to turn from your sins

3.  BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross

4.  RECEIVE, through prayer, Jesus Christ into your life and heart

The Bible says (Christ is Speaking) "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in..." Revelation 3:20

Where do you go from here?  Let someone you know and trust know that you have received Jesus into your heart.  Without foundation, without someone to nurture your newly planted seed, it can be easy to fall away again. I have been there.  I found it hard to keep on track and be obedient, when I didn't have anyone to lead me and guide me.  We can be that person for you and would love to help in anyway that we can. Call, email me, or message me. We have bible study programs we can get you started on.  

The best place to start is to open your bible and start reading His word.  Start with the book of John. Just remember, He never leaves us, He is always there. Seek Him each day. Set time aside, even just a few minutes to pray and read your bible.  There are many devotions programs either online, or apps on your phone.  If you don't have a bible, we can get you one.  There are bible apps on smart phones too.

Find a church family.  There are many churches to choose from, and it's your preference on where you would like to go.  If you would like a list of local churches, we can get that to you.

Our greatest commandment to to love the Lord with all our hearts, body and soul. 

His new commandment, the last one he gave us, was to love one another. Love each other SO MUCH that it would be obvious to the onlookers. SO MUCH, That they would say, WOAH, I want what they've got."

How different would our world look if we followed just these 2?  

  

Priorities and Perspective

For where your treasure is, 

there will your heart be also -Luke 12:34

In my crazy busy morning I realized I forgot my keys at home. When did I realize this you ask? When I got to work and was searching through my bottomless pit of a purse. Not a big deal if I lived in town, but I don't. BLEH! So back home I went, frustrated, making phone calls to let my office person know I was going to be a few minutes late.  

As I was driving a broadcast came over the radio called Peace and Power of a Prioritized Life by Chip Ingram. This hit me right between the eyes because it was totally what I needed to hear.  He talked about 6 symptoms that you may have if your life is unbalanced, or not driven by correct priorities.  The six symptoms are as follows

1. Busyness

Feeling busy all the time, a feeling of not catching up, you have many piles of "I'll get to it tomorrow", constantly eating on the run

2.  Undue Stress & Pressure

Feeling like you don't have time to sit down because you have too much to do, short-tempered, constantly multitasking to get it all done 

3.  Low Grade Nagging Guilt

Feeling a constant guilt over the things you know you should be doing

4.  Financial Debt

You tend to never catch up on bills, budget is out of whack

5.  Prayerlessness

A leakage in your devotional life

6.  Excessive Behavior

Tend to swing to whatever makes you escape, eating, exercising, 

watching videos, tv, screen time to just get away and not think about things.

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust 

destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for 

yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and 

where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, 

there your heart will be also. 

 Matthew 6:19-21

I find it awesome, how a mistake that I made, turned into a message that I needed to hear, and totally made my day.  I have nearly all these symptoms, and it made me look at how I plan my day, my week, and my month.   All we can do is keep on looking forward and live our life according to His plan.   When we live overextended lives, we will be burnt out, crabby, tired, and short tempered.  There are 2 ways to prioritize your life:

1. Get a hold of your time

Plan your day! Start your day with God. Set your alarm 20 minutes early to meet with Him. 

2. Get a hold of your money

4 Steps in this order: Give a portion to God, Pay your Bills, Live on the rest, Get out of Debt!

Prayer Time

Thank you Father for walking and talking to us when we need it most Lord.  You know exactly what we need and exactly what we need to hear.  You are amazing Father and I thank you for all that you provide for us.  Help us now to prioritize our lives according to your will for us Lord.  Help us to manage our time, and our money in a way that would bring glory to you Lord.  All these things we pray in your holy name, AMEN

Love One Another

Our last commandment, a new commandment that Jesus gave to us was to love one another, as He has loved us. So the question is, how does HE love us?

He loves us with agape love, which is best described in 1 Corinthians verse 13:

Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.

It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.

All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever...

There are three things that remain -- faith, hope, and love -- and the greatest of these is love.

Wow, what a powerful and beautiful gift! If we loved one another in this same way, where would our world be today? If we loved our spouses or significant other this way, how would our marriages and relationships change?  If we loved our children, our neighbors, our friends, this way, how would our relationships with them grow?  He wants us to be the light in the world, so people see it and want it.  They will look at our relationships and say, whatever they've got, I want it too. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but it's something worth thinking about and striving for.  

Prayer Time:

Thank you Jesus for your love.  Teach us Father to love others the way that you love us.  Help us to be a light to those around us, and that they would be drawn to You because of it.  Thank you for your grace.  Lord help us to show our children, our spouses and those around us that same grace. In your name Lord, we pray, AMEN

Daily Grind

Psalms 127:3

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

A Tribute to Mother

Your hands once busy through the day,

You didn’t have much time to play.

The little games I asked you too,

You never had much time to do.

You’d wash my clothes and sew and cook

And when I brought my picture book

And asked you share my fun,

You’d say: “A little later, hun.”

You tucked me in all safe at night,

Hear my prayers, turn out the light,

Then tiptoe softly to the door.

I wish you’d stayed a moment more.

For life is short, the years rush past.

A little child grows up so fast.

No longer are you at my side,

My precious secrets to confide.

The picture books are put away,

There are no longer games to play,

No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear.

That all belongs to yesteryear.

Your hands once busy, now lie still.

The days are long and hard to fill

I wish we could go back and do

The little things I asked you to.

But thats OK, cause I love you still.

I always did and I always will.

MaryAnn LoSchiavo Barbuto

When Monday morning rolls around, I tend to get caught up the daily routine and weekly grind.  I wake up, go to the gym, get home, wake up the kids, get myself ready, get the kids ready, breakfast, COFFEE A MUST, drop the kids off, lunches packed, get to work, put in a full day, leave work, back to daycare, pick kids up, get home, prepare dinner, clean up dinner, finish up any homework, showers for kids, kids to bed, me exhausted, hit the bed.  Tuesday morning, start all over again!  Thank goodness we live in rural Minnesota, I couldn't imagine adding drive time onto that!

Do you ever feel sometimes as though you want time to stand still?  My husband and I were talking about this topic and tears began to well up for me.  We were talking about how big our oldest is getting and it dawned on the both of us.  We realized he is only 3 years away from when we first started dating! CRAZY eye opener! We've heard it a million times, but where does the time go?  When I start looking at all the things I have yet to teach him, I start to feel as though time is slipping through my fingertips.  

I have to remind myself daily:

The chores will always be there, 

time with my kids will not,

they should be the priority over a spotless house.

Prayer Time:

Father guide us today and help us to take time out for our little ones Lord.  Help us to teach them and raise them in the way You want them to go.  Help us to realize our time here is small and to take each moment to instill the values and morals that are important in our lives.  Thank you for the time we have with them here and we love the gift of motherhood that you have given to us.  What a precious gift! All these things we pray in your name, AMEN!

Half Eaten Carrot

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  

-Philippians 4:6-7

Do you ever go through seasons where it feels as though things are just out of whack?  A few months back I was going through trials in my home.  Nobody was getting along, I felt like the tension in our house was so thick, I could cut it with a knife.  My husband and I were not agreeing with how I was handling things, and I just felt like a crab.   I felt like a terrible mom and wife.  I was having a tough time dealing with the emotions I was feeling with the news about my mom, and I just was not handling things well, AT ALL!  

I was working part-time, and I had a prayer time with a couple ladies there.  They asked if there was anything I need prayer for.  I explained the frustration I was having at home, and that I was feeling convicted about it. One of the gals asked me to close my eyes and picture a situation I was explaining with me and my responses to things with the kids or my husband.  Then she asked where I pictured Jesus in this situation, and if He was in the room? When I closed my eyes, I couldn't see Him in the room. She then asked what I felt His response would be to how I was acting.  I told her I felt if He was there He would be angry with me.  She explained to me that's wouldn't be Him, because He does not get angry with us. He loves us, and is never angry with us.  She then prayed with me and had me speak it out loud:  

"Father please forgive me for my sins, 

Please help me with the situations I am facing, and give peace to my home.

Help me to remember that I am a GREAT Mom, 

and the struggles I face do not define me who I am.

Help me to remember that I am a GREAT Wife, 

and the struggles I face do not define me who I am."

She reminded me that He is never angry with me.  She also told me she kept getting a picture of a half eaten apple, which she wasn't sure what that meant. I told her I wasn't sure at first.  I began to think about it and said I got it!  I left a half eaten carrot on the counter in the bathroom that afternoon as I was busy getting all the kids ready before work.  I was super embarrassed because there was a guy working on our house that needed to use the bathroom, and I left the half eaten carrot in there by the faucet.

So what does that mean?  To me, I felt He was reminding me that He is ALWAYS with us! He is there in the good times, He is there during our struggles, and He is there during our pitfalls. He is not angry with us when we fall and doesn't leave us. When I feel like things are getting chaotic and I start feeling that same tension, I remember that half eaten carrot.  I sit down and I pray for His spirit to come and His peace to fill our home.  Its amazing what happens by the end of that prayer.  Every time a blanket of peace and comfort fills my heart and I can breathe again.  

Prayer Time

Please help us Father to remember you are ALWAYS with us.  No matter how we have been acting lately, no matter if we read our bible, or remember to pray.  You are ALWAYS with us, and we are made whole by your love. Thank you for meeting us where we are today.  We love you so much and thank you for all your wonderful gifts.  We pray to you today for your gift of peace and that it would fill our homes.  Help us to remember to take a moment and pray when things get tough.  We love you Jesus! 

In your name we pray, AMEN.  

You are Beautiful!

Ephesians 4:22-24 

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

WARNING!  You will see things like this plastered all over the media for the next month.  New Year, New You! Right? WRONG! Just a quick note

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL THE WAY YOU ARE!

Don't let anyone tell you different :)

I am all for taking care of ourselves, our minds, and striving for goals, but isn't it kinda silly we wait until the beginning of the year? Did you know you can start over anytime you want? Our friend and Savior will let us start over any day of the year! All we have to do is ask.  He gives us a clean slate every time, every hour, every minute of every single day.  How awesome is that?  

One more note......

YOU ARE AMAZING!

You were made in his perfect image, how could you be anything less?  

He loves you without condition, where you are at, 

this very moment.  

Today

Prayer Time

Thank you Father for this glorious new year.  Thank you for the cross and for letting us start anew when we ask.  Thank you for each new day, each new hour, and each new minute to start over if we need to.  Thank You for all that You have done and continue to do for us, Lord. In Your name we pray, AMEN