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

Tuesday Truth

What to Do When You See Jesus

“And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.” Matthew 28:9, NLT If Jesus was coming towards you right now, how would you react? Maybe you would start asking a lot of questions or maybe you wouldn’t even be able to speak. The response of two women in the Bible, Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, challenged me this past Easter morning. They did three things when they saw Jesus. Run, grasp, and worship.
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The Secret of Being Content

What is the secret of being content? The apostle Paul tells us in our verses for today that he knows the secret of living content. What does it mean to be content? In today’s blog post, I will unpack this a little bit.
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Can I have a do over please?

Did you struggle to get out of bed this morning? Maybe you woke up and wanted a do-over. As you laid there, did you remember that terrible thing you said yesterday to your spouse or your kid or maybe even a friend? Oh, how you wish you could take it back. Or maybe you struggled yesterday to believe God’s truth over man’s lies. Maybe that script in your head kicked in and it was hard to fight it. And then you wondered to yourself, will I ever change?  YES!! A thousand times yes! You can change those bad habits. Every day, you get a fresh start.
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Show Me The Way

Have you ever said to someone "show me"?  Often my kids will say that to me. The other day, God used one of those times to teach me. “Mom, I want to work on the big puzzle,” Caleb said to me while I was hanging laundry downstairs. I encouraged him to work on it. Not even a minute later “Mom, it’s too hard!! It has too many pieces.”
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The Battle is Not Yours

God’s word is filled with so many incredible stories. One of my favorites is found in 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat just received word that a vast army was coming his way. He felt fearful but instead of camping in his fear, King Jehoshaphat went directly to the Lord for guidance. He called all the people of Jerusalem and Judah together to fast and pray.
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In the Word Wednesdays

Tennis Shoes and Self Control

 “Stay calm. Don’t freak out. Breathe in. Breathe out.” These are words I often say in my head when I am working with one of my kids in the middle of their breakdown. Sometimes I will say these words to myself more than once a day. Last year, Analiah had bike day at preschool. She came out in her flips flops when we were ready to leave. I asked her to go change and put on her tennis shoes. You can imagine what happened next.
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