Faith

Anastasia Sitting Reading

My Faith Journey

I love Jesus more than anyone or anything. It hasn't always been this way though. Jesus was just another person who walked on the earth. I grew up in the Catholic church so I knew all the stories about God. I knew that Jesus died on the cross for me. I was also taught that I needed to earn my way to heaven. It wasn’t until college, that I met people who weren’t Catholics. To be totally honest, I thought everyone was Catholic. Until I met the girls on my floor during my freshman year of college. 

My roommate Amy and floormate Christy were the ones most instrumental in talking to me about Jesus. They helped me to see that the only way to heaven was by accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He did the work on the cross to save me. I didn’t need to earn my way to heaven nor could I ever. I just needed to accept this free gift of salvation.  At the age of 18, I asked Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of my life that September of 1996. 

Amy shared with me what a devotional time was and that I could have my own Bible. She taught me how to dig into God’s word and go to any time I needed help. I am so thankful that Amy and Christy took the time to speak into my life and tell me about Jesus. Literally, I am forever changed and grateful.

Now, I can't imagine life without Jesus nor do I want to live without Him. Jesus is the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I can't help but tell others about Him. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If you don't, I'd love to talk with you. 

God's Word

Each day, you will find me digging into God's Word. Why? Because it is life-giving and directs my steps. The Bible shows me how to live and gives me wisdom for whatever I am facing. I am so thankful for the inspired Word of God.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12, ESV

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV

Anastasia holding open bible.

God’s Word is filled with so much richness. Some of my favorite Bible verses are:

"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:25-26

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  Philippians 4:8

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6 

Anastasia Reading Open Bible

My Prayer for You:

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” 

Ephesians 3:14-21

Recommended Books

There are so many amazing books to read that draw us closer to God and help us grow in our walks with Him. Here are just a few of the books that have helped me to grow in my faith.

In the Grip of Grace

In the Grip of His Grace by Max Lucado

Rooted by Banning Liebscher

Rooted by Banning Liebscher

Introverted Mom by Jamie C. Martin

Introverted Mom by Jamie C. Martin

Transformed Not Conformed by Missy Eversole

Transformed Not Conformed by Missy Eversole

Just Ask by J.D. Greear

Just Ask by J.D. Greear

The Well Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles

The Well Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles

You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth

You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst

The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst

The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst

Prayer Walk by Janet Holm McHenry

Prayer Walk by Janet Holm McHenry

Hidden Manna on a Country Road by Sarah Geringer

Hidden Manna on a Country Road by Sarah Geringer

*Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. This means that I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support of this site.

Check out this post to read about other books that I am reading this year. 

Recommended Podcasts

There are so many amazing podcasts out there. Here are just a few that I enjoy listening to. I am grateful for the ways each one has helped me to grow in my walk with the Lord and as a wife and parent.

The Bible Recap

The Bible Recap

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage

Out of the Ordinary

Out of the Ordinary

The Crystal Paine Show

The Crystal Paine Show

Live Like it’s True

Live Like it’s True

Playfully Faithful Parenting

Playfully Faithful Parenting

Witty and Gritty

Witty and Gritty

Get Your Hopes Up with Christy Wright

Get Your Hopes Up with Christy Wright

My Full Life and Faith Leaps

My Full Life and Faith Leaps

When God Breaks Through

When God Breaks Through

Faith Blog Posts

In the Word Wednesdays

Drawing Designs on Your Body

Have you ever thought to yourself “I don’t understand my child!”? Me too! We have four children and I often marvel at how different they each are. My husband and I will often look at each other after one of our kids does something and comment “Where did that come from?” One afternoon, I had this thought about my daughter Analiah. God used this time to teach me about how He made Analiah and also taught me how to see myself.
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In the Word Wednesdays

Reach Up. Push Through. Repeat.

Do you feel like you are in the middle of a war? Do you feel like an army is surrounding you and you can’t catch a break? King David felt that same way. In today’s verse, we are jumping right into David’s life and getting a taste of what he experienced. We also see how he came out of it. God used this verse and an experience with Analiah to teach me three things. When life feels out of control, I need to reach up, push through and repeat.
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In the Word Wednesdays

You are Braver than You Think

Your kids are watching you. They are taking their cues in life from you whether you want them to or not. That can be terrifying for me sometimes since I mess up time and time again. But, thankfully God’s grace is sufficient. The other day at the park I was surprised at how our oldest daughter responded.
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In the Word Wednesdays

What’s in Your Heart?

If someone asked you "What's In Your Heart?" what would your response be? One of our main goals as parents is to help our kids hide God's word in their heart. One of the ways we foster this is by doing family devotions each evening. Jonathan or I will pick out a Bible story. After we read the story, we ask our kids to each share something they learned from the story. The responses vary from silly to serious. It depends on the story and the mood of our kids. I often wonder if our kids are really listening. Is the truth of God’s word sinking deep into their hearts? One morning on our beach vacation last month, God answered that question for me.
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gift

That’s what you get!

Have you ever played the blame game? You know the one where someone else is at fault and you don’t have any responsibility. It makes you feel better for the moment but soon you realize it is not fully the person’s fault. You have some part in it. The other day I was at Aldi and observed a Mom with her young son. Honestly, I was very frustrated with her. But, then the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart, “Haven’t you done the same thing?” Here is the story…
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In the Word Wednesdays

Even Before

God spoke to Joshua before the victory of Jericho even happened. And Joshua took God at His word. Why? Because Joshua trusted God Even Before. It seemed impossible to everyone else but not Joshua. What is something you are facing right now that seems impossible? Is it a sickness or a broken relationship? Do you have an injury that is just not healing? Or maybe it is a mindset or a pattern that is so ingrained in you that you can’t possibly see how you can change. You may feel like the walls are so thick and high that you can’t imagine them coming down.
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