The Ameri Brit Mom

Today at Covenant…Hearing God’s Voice

Today the sermon at Covenant Church in Grove City was the the first in The Anatomy of Faith series. During the month of February Pastor Travis will be focusing on Romans 4. Today the sermon was more of a fly-by of Romans 4 as we learned about hearing God’s voice. Throughout the rest of the month we will take a more in depth approach to the chapter.

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The Anatomy of Faith: Hearing God’s Voice

Focus Scripture: Romans 10:17

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Faith is the linchpin of our relationship with God. A linchpin is an essential part of a wheel which not only holds the pieces together, but also allows the wheel to perform its function without falling apart. Although our faith is important in our relationship with God it does not define who God is. Our faith (or lack of faith) will never change God’s position. God is God regardless of our faith. However, our faith defines our personal relationship with God.

Here’s a personal question: When was the last time you heard God’s voice?

Faith begins when we hear God’s voice so how can we hear His mostly inaudible voice? As stated in the focus scripture above we hear God’s voice through the Word about Christ. That Word is scripture. Likewise, we cannot have faith if we don’t hear from God’s Word. Faith is not based on us coming to God with a list of demands. A relationship with God requires two-way communication. Of course we can bring our lives before God in prayer, but we must also wait on his response and seek it through reading scriptures.

Faith grows as we become more obedient to God’s voice. Not only should we be in communication with God through scriptures, but we should live those scriptures out in our lives. We begin our faith by hearing from God through scripture, but that faith will not grow if we don’t put the scriptures into action. Our faith is only ever a reaction to God’s faithfulness in our lives.

A great illustration of faith comes from the story of Abraham and Isaac. In this story found in Genesis 22, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son. In a great act of faith Abraham proved his loyalty to God by preparing to sacrifice the son he had prayed for and whom he loved so much. In Genesis 22:1-2, as God calls Abraham to make this great sacrifice he speaks to him and asks him to, “take your only son, Isaac, whom you love.” With this statement God shows that he knew exactly what he was asking Abraham to do. He knew that Abraham loved his son very much and yet he called him to bring his son to the altar. Just before he was to put his son to death God sent a scapegoat in the form of a ram and spared Isaac. This testing of faith proved that Abraham was willing to be obedient even in something as huge as sacrificing his son.

In closing, we should remember to keep faith as the linchpin of our relationship with God. We know that God loves us, is faithful, and is good. Let our faith be the piece that brings all of these truths to light for each of us. May our faith increase through our obedience to scripture, and may the truths that we find in the Word of God illuminate his character.

Rain Obsessed

Rain Obsessed by theameribritmom featuring a black and white patio umbrella

You know you live in Ohio when exactly two weeks after posting a Snow Boot wishlist you find yourself in need of rain gear. The real absence of snow this season persuaded me to forget about shopping for snow boots and instead focus on waterproofing my wardrobe. It’s been rainy and warm for the past three days here in central Ohio. It may be a spring tease, but I’ll take it. There’s nothing like opening the house up and spending time outdoors after a couple of months of being cooped inside.

These days of sixty degree temperatures have been tempting me. Even now as I take off my new Sperry rain boots (pictured above) which were entirely practical this morning I am preparing to take my daughter to the park which is defrosted and dried thanks to the sun and warm temps. I’m now lacing up my tennis shoes while trying to knock out a witty post about rain gear and I find myself being blinded by the rays of sunlight protruding through the windows.

Even if this nice weather is temporary it’s brought some hope that the warm months are to come. (Also, the groundhog has confirmed this in his pronouncement that Spring is right around the corner!)

What is this!?! Does the weather understand it is still February? I won’t be the one to remind it.

Here’s to a quick end to the cold and snowy season and an open armed embrace to Spring and the light showers it ensues. So grab an umbrella, a cute monogrammed rain jacket, and the always necessary rain boots and help me cheer on the impending start of Spring.

The Ameri Brit Mom

24 Book Challenge: A Book You Already Own

The following is a book review by The Ameri Brit Mom. This is book #2 from The Ameri Brit Mom 24 Book Challenge in 2016. This post expresses the genuine opinion and experiences of The Ameri Brit Mom and is in no way endorsed by authors, publishers, or outside influences.

Title: Schooled in Revenge

Author: Jesse Lasky

Publisher: Hyperion

Copyright Date: 2013

This Christmas I received this book in my stocking. My husband and I have spent many hours binge watching the ABC show Revenge on Netflix so he decided to gift me a book based on the television series. If you are unfamiliar with the show you can still read this book. Within its pages there are cameo appearances from a couple of the characters from the show, however, this novel is based on an entirely separate cast.

Ava Winters was once the wealthy heiress to a famous and successful vineyard in Napa Valley, California. When a plot unfolds which steals away anything and everyone that Ava has ever known she finds herself headed down a path of extracting revenge. Much like Emily Thorne (Amanda Clarke) in the television series Ava finds herself in Japan enrolled in the training program instructed by a sensai named Takeda.

Along her road to revenge Ava meets others who bear their own grudges. Each one with a story and list of secrets of how they wound up on Rebun Island. Until one day the students come across folders with each of their names filled with a plan to bring revenge to those who cost them everything. As a group, they begin to see the connections between their stories and take it upon themselves to leave the island to bring karma to their enemies.

During their individual quests for revenge each of the students uncover secrets about their lives and those they were once close to. With their training incomplete they are met with challenges back in California and some of those challenges prove to be deadly.

I really like how Jesse Lasky took a familiar plot, but implanted new characters with different motives. Like the television series, there is a dual timeline which keeps the suspense paramount throughout the book. As the reader you don’t learn about events of the character’s pasts until it becomes absolutely necessary. Not knowing the chain of events keeps you interested as the reader and gives motive to each turn of the page. Lasky rarely dabbles in descriptive language in his writing (which I disagree with as an author), but overall the book kept me involved with the drama and suspense and I began to forget about the lack of details.

I would recommend this book to fans of dramatic literature or anyone who finds themselves hooked on shows like ABC’s Revenge. It took me a while to finish this book so now I’m off to make up for lost time. On to book #3…a book written the year I was born (1990!!!!)

Dear Half-Price Books

Dear Half-Price Books,

I was introduced to you at such a young age. The prospect of picking out books for myself was something I fell in love with instantly. You taught me that quality books don’t always have to come from the Best Sellers section at Barnes and Noble. And I learned from lingering in your aisle ways that I don’t ever have to spend more than ten dollars on a book. Looking back, my love for books was most likely born of my time in your shops with my family. I was young, and enthusiastic about reading and they fed into that excitement.

This weekend I revisited a Half-Price Bookstore in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Why I ever purchased books elsewhere puzzled me. There were so many great titles offered at unbeatable prices. If I hadn’t been on a double date I could easily have spent my entire Saturday in the shop browsing title after title. Sure, many of the books have a crease or two in the binding, but all of them are still in great condition. The folds of the pages give each book character. The smell of a slightly used book is also addicting. That may be weird, but a used book smells even sweeter than one straight off the press. Its words have been experienced. They have existed to someone else before me. It’s a pretty cool thought. As long as printing presses are in operation, I will never trade in the experience of cracking a book open for a digital experience.

Thank you for feeding my literary addiction, Half Price Books. I am forever indebted to you for all that you have taught me.

January 2016 Recap

January 2016 has been a great month capped off today with a trip to the OSU vs. Maryland basketball game with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. My husband performed for over 500 students from the state of Ohio prior to the game. We were also given a tour of the OSU weight room which was pretty cool and exciting. I’m worn out an exhausted this Sunday evening. Our family has been passing around a nasty bug and it seems to be my turn for the leaky nose and spiking fever. Woohoo!

As January 2016 comes to an end I just wanted to highlight a few important posts from this month:

First of all, I began my first 24 Book Challenge for 2016. As part of the challenge I have posted in several memes which have kept me accountable for constant reading. I’m currently a few chapters away from finishing book #2 so stay posted for a new post soon.

This month I also began a series entitled, “Today at Covenant…” which is based on the sermons from my church by Pastor Travis Davenport. This month he preached on the Five Solas. You can find four of the five sermons below, but because of the FCA event I missed week five.

I also completed a 21-Day fast along with members of my church. The purpose of the fast was to promote revival in the church. Additionally, I focused my prayer during this time on seeking God’s will for my service to him. During this time God spoke clearly and tangibly into my life and I look forward to sharing with you about the direction God is leading me in a few weeks.

In the area of fashion, this month I focused on my puffer vest, snow boots, and Alex and Ani. All three are winter favorites and things I’ve enjoyed adding to my personal collection.

Thanks for sticking around this month and being a part of my reading community. I’ve got some new post ideas and things coming up in February. I’m excited to continue the editing process this month for my novel. Not long now and I’ll be looking for Beta Readers for the next phase. Stay tuned!

The Ameri Brit Mom

Five Minute Friday: Quiet

This week the topic for the Five Minute Friday link-up post is Quiet. What is a link-up? Essentially a link-up is when you join other bloggers and write on a similar topic. You share your blog posts with one another and begin conversations via a host site. You can head over to Kate Motaung’s page to check out other entries from inspired bloggers. Here’s my five minutes of uninterrupted, unedited writing on this week’s topic:

quiet-600x600

Being quiet is difficult. When I set time aside in my busy schedule to pray I find that I’m often the one dictating the agenda. Eager to get things off my chest or burdened with a heavy heart I come to God with all these questions, but don’t quiet myself for long enough to hear a response. No wonder I feel like sometimes my prayers go unheard. It’s not that God isn’t listening rather it is me who is not doing the listening. You can’t hear an answer when you are talking over it.

Today my challenge to you (and myself) is to take a few minutes and be quiet. Write down or speak your requests to God and then wait. This can be uncomfortable I know. In our chaotic world silence can be awkward. Trust me, any glimpse of quiet that accidentally happens in a high school classroom is always thwarted by that one student who shouts out, “awkward silence.” But, today don’t be afraid of the silence. Embrace the quiet. Listen to the whisper of God. Unload your heart and let him heal your spirit.

James 1:19-My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

The Ameri Brit Mom

My Fuel

As a full time mother, teacher, and wife I struggle with finding time for writing on the side. Writing has been a passion of mine for a while, but over the past year I have had countless opportunities to use my writing as a ministry. The idea alone that God has gifted me with the ability to use my writing to reach others fuels me to make it a priority. I try to write daily, however, many days writing is an after thought. It happens when chores, grading, cooking, bathing, and playing are completed. When my daughter starts to slow down, I turn on the coffee pot and prepare for my writing time. As much as I would like to nap as well, I find myself turning to coffee for the pick-me-up I need to make sure the writing gets accomplished.

Putting pen to paper can be quite the task after a long day. Some days the creative energy just flows, and other days it’s in need of some fuel. So naturally, I turn to coffee. For me, coffee fuels about 85% of all my writing. Rarely do I sit down to draft a blog post, work on my manuscript, or journal without the accompaniment of a warm cup of coffee. Most writing sessions begin with a good brew. Even as I write now I’m watching my daughter play while sipping on a medium-roast pour-over with two creams and six thousand packs of sugar.

Each of us has something we turn to when the creativity is just not there. Or the ideas aren’t flowing like a mad river.

What fuels you?

Alex and Ani

If you are tuned into the wonderful world of jewelry then you are familiar with the latest craze in bangle bracelets. Alex and Ani is one of the leading companies right now in the market. According to their website the company’s purpose is that it, “constantly strives to develop new, cutting edge techniques to create sustainable products to enhance the lives of consumers.” Their products range in styles and prices, but one of their most popular items is the bangle bracelet. Bangles start at $28.00.

The current trend is to build up and wear a collection of their bangles. I’m a newbie on the Alex and Ani scene. I received my first bracelet for Christmas. My parents purchased one for myself and each of my sisters. I love my Sister bangle. It is made from recyclable materials and is infused with energy technology. I’m excited to build up my collection of these affordable and cute bangles. To check out some of their other bracelets head over to the Alex and Ani website.

Face+Floor=Disaster

After a fun-filled Saturday at COSI (Center of Science and Industry) my daughter was completely exhausted. She had ventured into a submarine, built a rocket ship with massive legos, and pretended to be a doctor equipped with a stethoscope for about an hour straight. On our ride home she was fast asleep before we ever reached the freeway.

It was a great day. A family date for the memory books. But all things must come to an end and when we arrived home her fun-filled day of learning and exploring met its term.

Our daughter made it into the house without waking. It was bit early for bed so my husband laid her on the couch for just a moment as he took his coat off and I did the same. In the moment it took for us both to remove our coats our daughter fell off the couch and landed on the wood laminate floor of the living room catching herself with the front of her face.

She was a bloody mess. She didn’t wake before she hit the floor so she did not even try to cushion her fall. This terrible plummet resulted in a split lip, bruised cheek, swollen mouth, and loose tooth. Now, she’s only three years old so at least it was a baby tooth, but now my poor baby resembles Cindy Lou Who with a crooked front tooth.

She will be going to see her dentist on Thursday to make sure that there was no lasting damage done in the accident. I doubt they will do much, but I want to be on the safe side. This is her first big accident, and I felt terrible as her mother as she cried and bled in my arms. However, in the back of my mind I knew that sooner or later my clumsy little girl was bound to be hurt. I didn’t enjoy this experience, but it was a good reminder of the resilience of children. After all, I’m still aching at the memory of what happened, while she’s loving the fact that she gets to eat ice cream and soft foods until the tooth reattaches.

A year ago I would have been a nervous wreck as a result of this event. I would have blamed myself and thought that it spoke of me as a parent for allowing this to happen to her. I have thankfully moved on from the part of my life where I saw myself through such a critical lens. At the end of the day it was terrible that it happened, but kids will be kids. Accidents happen, and I will just be thankful that she is okay and take those extra hugs and cuddles.

Highlighted Monday #2

Highlighted Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Rebeca at “Books and Messy Buns”. Anyone can join, you just have to do the following:

Pick up the book you’re currently reading (be it a physical or electronic copy)
Find a sentence you like (because it’s funny or cute or mysterious or whatever you find interesting)
Highlight the sentence
Make a post in your own blog where you share your highlighted sentence and link back to my blog as the host

My highlighted text today comes from Schooled in Revenge by Jesse Lasky:

My husband and I are big fans of the television series, Revenge. We are both also in love with reading. Wide-reading is actually one of my New Years Resolutions and so in my attempt to leap beyond the best-sellers I’ve turned to lesser known titles like the one above. (For more on my 24 Book Challenge see this link.) My husband actually purchased this book for me and stuffed it my Christmas stocking as a gift.

I’m halfway through reading Schooled in Revenge, a novel based on the television show that I love.

One thing I enjoy about the book is that there is different cast of characters from those on the show. I’m learning about new people of affluent America. The television show is set in the Hamptons among an elite cast living off of fortunes build on deception. The above highlighted text draws a comparison between the setting of the television series and the setting of the book which is Napa Valley. I am able to indulge my desire to be rich and famous through Revenge. It’s a guilty pleasure.

The Ameri Brit Mom