Pressure and Pruning...

The Principle of Christian Character...

"Character" literally means" to stamp and engrave through pressure." This sums up nicely what God is doing in our lives.

God's plan is to make each person like Him. Romans 8:29 tells us that God has predestined that we are to be conformed into the image of Christ. He is building His character within us, or you might say, He is stamping and engraving upon us His image. In so doing, He often uses pressure.

The fifteenth chapter of the gospel of John tells us that Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches, and the Father is the vine-dresser. What happens to every branch that does not bear fruit? It is cut away, then dries up and is finally burned. What happens to every branch that bears fruit? He prunes it. Therefore, no matter what we do we are going to get cut.

Why are branches pruned? To produce fruit of greater quantity and quality. While much of God's pruning hurts, we should greatly rejoice in the pruning process as we understand He is building His character within us.

Character has been defined as a convictional belief that results in consistent behavior. We can see that character begins internally (a convictional belief) and is expressed externally (consistent behavior). Our internal character will be seen in our external lifestyle.

God is stamping His image upon us so that we might be examples of Him to the world, and be able to fulfill His purpose for our lives.


This is an excerpt from one of the History books we have studied so far this year and I was simply and blessedly amazed at the truth and depth the above words contained. Sitting around our school table, a free and fruitful discussion between our girls and I emerged as we tore apart and dissected the reality and meaning of what we were reading. Being a Christian (Christ-follower) isn't always comfortable, easy or desirable. God always sees the big picture and we of the flesh can only see one small piece, the piece we are currently living in. He sees where we need pruned in order to produce fruit. He sees where pressure needs applied so that His image will be visible upon our lives. Lately we've been experiencing alot of pruning and pressure and at times I've been tempted to pitch a fit and scream, "What are you doing God? Isn't enough enough? Lay off a little (or a lot)! Can we have some breathing room?" Yet in it all and through it all, He lovingly, patiently, gently, continually and faithfully reminds me that He is working out a purpose I have yet to see. A purpose that through pruning and pressure will bear Him much fruit and glory. As I ponder the reality of that, I let go of all control and trust Him completely.

I'm so thankful that I have a hope that reaches far beyond what I can see. A hope that is rooted and grounded in the Creator and Giver of all life...all time...all reason!

I am a blessed branch!

I Am...

The past few weeks have been a time of adjustment and transition as us girls have settled back into our typical school routine. Both MaKayla and Mallary as well as myself are very excited about the various new curriculum choices that we are using this year. For once in my homeschool "career" I have been willing to think "outside~the~box" and listen very specifically to the Lord's direction in regards to what our girls need. What fits their minds. What stimulates their brains. What fulfills their souls. It's been amazing to see how much smoother our days go and how excited my "students" are about what they are learning! I'm thankful for God's guidance in nurturing our two greatest blessings and the fruit that is springing forth!


It seems that with change, adjustment and transition in the physical sense also comes some sort of spiritual pruning, refining and reconditioning, not just for me but for others in our home as well. One of our precious jewels, who I will leave nameless, seems to, without fail, go through an unsettling upheaval when things change. Kyle and I are finally catching on after seeing this pattern present itself in the same person, at the same time of year now for the fourth year in a row. Why we didn't discern this earlier is beyond me however we have been awakened to this reality and are intently listening and learning in big ways. In years past we have just muddled through in order to get beyond the anxiety and depression not really even knowing what it was. This year we have allowed our spirits to be enlightened and are taking a completely different approach. Maybe it's because we are more aware. Maybe it's because our jewel is older. Maybe it's because our hearts are more in-tuned. Maybe it's because of what God has done in our lives that has made us more sensitive to the needs of our children. I don't know and it really doesn't matter but things are different. What I do know is that walking alongside of and at times carrying a child who is gripped by a hand of fear, anxiousness and despair is a very humbling and fragile mission. It's one that requires a great amount of prayer, patience, understanding, love, comfort, assurance, affirmation, encouragement, sacrifice and time in God's Word. It's a mission that is difficult and delicate. It's a mission that is intense, diligently warring on their behalf and being careful to not let your guard down.

It's no coincidence that Kyle and I just finished teaching a six-month study on spiritual warfare!?! The time we spent preparing and the wisdom we gleaned therein, has been ever so valuable through this spiritual battle we are in. We see how our determination, our devotion and our diligence this time around has been of the Spirit rather than of the flesh. We see how God is using this time to grow her and us. We see how God is using this battle to strengthen her faith in Him and our love for her. We see how God is using this stormy trial to direct her eyes on Him and Him alone and in turn we are completely trusting Him to protect her amidst the battering winds and raging tides.

As I went to bed last night I began to intercede for spiritual healing on her behalf when the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Mendi, don't pray for healing, pray that I would be manifested in this life that you love so much. Pray that in the midst of this uncertain season she is in that she would see, that she would feel, that she would hear and that she would know and that as she sees, feels, hears and knows that she would understand without a question of a doubt that it is Me! Don't try to "rescue" her for I AM building My testimony in her. I AM making My presence in her life a reality. I long for her to know that I AM FAITHFUL!" The words my Father spoke to me were very sobering yet very comforting. Despite the difficulty of the battle we are waging, the reality that He is working a depth of faith within the core of her being is exciting. Easy? No. Rewarding? Absolutely.

I find myself more in love with Jesus as I walk through times and seasons such as these. As I read this morning, "Having a master and teacher means that there is someone who knows me better than I know myself, who is closer than a friend, and who understands the remotest depths of my heart and is able to satisfy them fully. It means having someone who has made me secure in the knowledge that He has met and solved all the doubts, uncertainties, and problems in my mind. To have a master and teacher is this and nothing less--'...for One is your Teacher, the Christ...' (Matthew 23:8)." He loves this one more than I and it is in Him that I trust! He has met her and He has already solved anything that concerns her this day...not only her, but me as well.

Desperation is a humbling reality, especially in the life of a child. A child who says, "I just want to feel better. I just want it to go away. I just want to quit feeling like this." Yet the reality is that as her dad and I continue to seek and to pray, we see a glorious transformation taking place right before our eyes. God is doing a beautiful work in this life that we love so much and in the end, the time we have spent waging a war will be oh so worth it!

Strong Hands...

Through many difficult seasons and growing pains during nearly 20 years of marriage, this particular song has become one of Kyle and my favorites in recent days. It is a true testimony not only to where we have been but to where the Lord is currently leading us...in our marriage and in our family. On a day-to-day- basis this past year has been one of transformation and remolding for Kyle as he has worked through some difficult, painful and mountain-moving realities in life and as a result MaKayla, Mallary and I have been and continue to be the richly blessed recipients...for that I give the Lord praise and glory!!! I have watched ashes turn into beauty... I have witnessed gladness in the place of mourning... I have experienced the daily manifestation of praise in the place of what was once despair! God is good! My man is amazing!

I am so thankful for the STRONG HANDS that Kyle is to myself!
I am so thankful for the STRONG HANDS that Kyle is to MaKayla!
I am so thankful for the STRONG HANDS that Kyle is to Mallary!
I am so thankful for his determination!
I am so thankful for his dedication!
I am so thankful for his faithfulness!
I am so thankful for his passion for Jesus!
I am so thankful for his love for his Saviour!

Thank you Kyle for your STRONG HANDS!
You are my life...
You are my breath...
You are my Jesus-in-the-flesh...
I love you deeply!

(You will need to pause the music on the side once you click to play the video.)

That Time of Year...

You know it's that time of year when...

House slippers go on...

Propane bills get left...

Vegetable Soup is on the menu...

Given To Know...

I will give them a heart to know me,
that I am the Lord.
They will be my people,
and I will be their God,
for they will return to me with all their heart.
Jeremiah 24:7

The other day I read this scripture and every time I look back on it, something deep inside my soul stirs. It tells me that God has graciously given me a heart to know that He is Lord. The reality of that reminds me of what an immeasurable Gift I have been given. The real question is, what am I doing with that Gift? Am I seeking to truly know Him? Am I following hard after Him in order to know who He is or do I just want what He has to offer? When I ponder on that, it makes me think of having a friend who only wants me for how I can serve them, help them, bless them or give to them. They only want me for what I do and not for who I am. It's not enough just to have my friendship...my love...my fellowship...my companionship... Is that how I treat my relationship with my Lord?
He has given me a heart to know Him...

Do I?

Current Project...

I just thought I would share a few images of MaKayla's current project. We aren't starting school until after Labor Day as I want to squeeze the most out of summer that I can so this is what she has been working on for the past several days! Kyle and I's niece, she and Mal's cousin Danielle is expecting their first child, Mark and Marci's first grandchild and my mom and dad's first great-grandchild near the end of November or the first of December! We CAN'T wait although I told "D" that we would have to schedule an appointment to see "Little Man" much less hold him! :o)


MaKayla has done a great job on this project and although she bought a pattern at Hobby Lobby for .99, she hasn't used it much at all. She wanted a textured feel and it is turning out super cute and super soft! We will be making a trip to JoAnn's today for batting...

Life or Death...

I love it when I read a portion of scripture in God's Word that pricks and sticks...pricks my heart and sticks in my mind. Those moments when I read something and it cuts to the quick...painful but so desperately needed. Times that the Still Small Voice of the Lord speaks so profoundly at the season of life that I am currently in.

As I read the other morning, the words, "Furthermore, tell the people, 'This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death." This portion of scripture goes on to talk about the consequences of each choice but the thought that I am given those same choices really pricked my heart and stuck therein. The reality that each morning I awake, I am given a choice of whether I will choose a path of life or a path of death. A path of life or a path of death in:

*my speech
*my actions
*my attitude

It's not a choice the Lord makes for me, it's a choice I deliberately have to make myself and the stark reality of it all is the fact that the path I choose, influences the path that I lead others to as well...mainly my husband and our children. With a fresh school year just about to start, it was a wake-up call and reminder I SO needed!

Are my words, words of encouragement, affirmation, assurance and confidence which lead to life or are my words, words of criticism, defeat, negativity and destruction which lead to death?

Are my actions, actions of love, servanthood and gentleness which lead to life or are my actions, actions of hostility, selfishness, reluctancy and rigidness which lead to death?

Is my attitude an attitude of patience, sacrifice, thankfulness and love which lead to life or is my attitude an attitude of frustration, pride, self-pity and irritability which leads to death?

As hard as it is admit, the majority of the time as the keeper of our home, my speech, my actions and my attitude set the tone of everyone else's as well. The Lord has enlightened me to this vivid reality very clearly the past several months. I have a choice to make...

What path am I choosing this day...

...the path of life
or

...the path of death?

"Furthermore, tell the people, 'This is what the Lord says:
See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague.
But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life.
I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the Lord.
It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon,
and he will destroy it with fire."

We can do it God's way which brings life
or
we can do it our way which leads to death.

His way is LIFE!

I'm so thankful for a Saviour!

Work Seasoned with Celebration...

Today Kyle's dad celebrated his 65th birthday and although we spent the majority of the day working, we were blessed to be able to spend the day with him!


Kyle's parent's are in the process of purchasing an in-town home that needs a great deal of TLC given the fact that the house hasn't been lived in for twelve years. The past three weeks we have spent great amounts of time painting, wall papering, taping woodwork, tearing up carpet tackboard, cleaning, washing windows, yard work, ect... Today Kyle and our brother-in-law Mark spent several hours painting the basement while Marci, Bri, MaKayla and I spent the day doing LOTS of yard work! Needless-to-say we will rest good tonight and be very sore upon waking in the morning...I'm not being pessimistic however I'm sore already so...


Kyle's dad has been battling lung cancer for over two years and after extensive chemo and radiation, his body is very weakened and fragile. This means a project like this is a big undertaking for them, yet one where we are thankful we live close enough that we can be actively involved in the renovations.

Today was a busy day of work but the Lord allowed the day to be savory seasoned with celebration as well!


We about to fall into bed blessed and fulfilled!

Eat honey, my son, for it is good;

honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

Proverbs 24:13

What I Seek...

One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.

For in the day of trouble
He will keep me safe in His dwelling;
He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:4~5

What I Was Created For...

The past few days I have been in a nasty slump! One of those slumps where you don't feel good mentally, physically, emotionally and to a degree spiritually. I will humbly and regretfully admit that I've been on the solid side of cranky...

As I awoke this morning feeling disgruntled, I sought the Lord for direction, correction and insight into this less-than-desirable demeanor. He ever so gently reminded me of what I was created for...

Life has been seriously crazy, busy and this woman doesn't do well when she is on the go continuously day-after-day-after-day-after-day... Hopping from one thing to the next, from one place to the next. Now, I know if I shared with some women how I was feeling and why, they would view me as weak, lacking and frail yet God reminds me of what I was created for...

I was created to be a "keeper of the home"...

A helpmeet to the love of my life...


A momma to my two most valuable possessions...


A devoted and faithful child of the King...

I can only speak for myself however when I step outside of my calling, busy myself with the demands of the world and fail to spend adequate time with my Savior, the giver of life, I grow weary and cease to bear fruit.

Much of what we have had going on could not be helped however...

It's time for me to slow down, commune with the Lord and regain my vision. The vision of what I was created for!

The Lord gives strength to His people;
the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11