I see Him better through the trails!

It has been a long time!  I just felt the need to share something on my heart.  I see my LORD much better through the trials.  Our family has caught pertussis (whooping cough).  Through many sleepless nights of caring for little ones I have found my only source of strength to come from my LORD and saviour Jesus Christ.  I have spent many nights on my knees next to bed sides over the past three weeks and I have a constant comfort.  He speaks through his word "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee"  This does not mean that as I travel this pilgrimage of life I will not face hard times, it just means I am not alone and that he will be there to walk beside me.

I was pretty sure right away that Elyssa had whooping cough.  Joshua was in the field so I was at this on my own!  I had never before heard a cough such as she had.  She was not making the characteristic whoop but there was something not quite right.  So I looked on you tube and there was a video of a little girl that was 2 that had tested positive for pertussis and Elyssa sounded just like her.  I called the Doctor right away.  We are seen at the naval hospital so very rarely do we get to see a doctor.  We saw the nurse.  I told her what I thought was going on and she said oh no.... It is bronchitis.  However it did not clear up it only got worse, I took her back, saw another nurse who told me oh no....  It is a sinus infection.  It was not until Titus came down with it and was coughing so hard that his eyes were black and blue that we were finally able to see a Doctor.  And right away she said this is pertussis!  Hints, we are switching to out in town...  We will pay the extra.  By this time there was nothing they could do for us.  I had already been researching and started some old home remedies.  Which I believe are working very well.  Nothing will cure it.  I am just trying to cut out the spasmodic coughing and make sure that no secondary infection starts.  I have not been to overly worried because Whooping cough is Very dangerous for infants 1 year and under, the elderly or people with compromised immune systems.  Our family does not fit in to any of these categories.  So we just need to ride it out.However I am not ignorant that there can still be complications in rare cases, that's why I am taking what preventive measures I can.  (and) Thanks to a trusted Natropathic Doctor that we see when we go home to Minnesota we are fairing pretty well!  (We are not against conventional allopathic medicine, however I do believe in treating naturally first.  However there is a time and place for both practices!  As you can see we saw conventional doctors... and consulted our natropathic doctor also.)

"When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.  In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:18-19

I have thought and pondered and thought some more....  Am I doing the right thing in the care for my sweet little people that God has intrusted to Joshua and I?  "I will say of the LORD, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." Psalm 91:2  "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day." Psalm 91:5  If you can not tell I have found great comfort in the Psalms recently :)  I realize that there is only so much I can do.  I do not know what the next day, the next hour let alone what the next minute holds.  However I do know who holds tomorrow!  There are many things that I have learned I do not control, and man does not have all the answers. 

Joshua had joked over the past few days that I have become and expert on whooping cough.  I would not say that by any means.  I feel that I have a responsibility as a mother to be completely educated on what they are going through and how I can treat or help them.  I have found so much amazing information.  Like Vitamin C therapy and homeopathy treatments...  And of course eating a very clean diet and staying away from all dairy.  Which has been hard because our kiddos love Greek yogurt!  Titus eats one every morning before his sisters get up.  We are using a great pro biotic by garden of life!  Love Jordan Rubens products.  Pricey but worth the money!  Also taking a good source of vitamin D3 as Dr.Mercola recommends.  I hope no one needs any information on this subject but if you do you can email me and I can give you more specifics on what we have found to be very helpful thus far!

It is amazing how in the trials of life with Christ I know everything will be alright.  It is when I take my eyes off of him that I start to panic and question.  I have seen him do many woundours works in my life and I figure there is no reason to stop trusting him now!  I will press onward.  Doing the best I can with the resources I have been given.

Thanks for reading...  Keep your eyes on the cross.  Jesus is still the answer!

In Christ,
Brittany

A Godly Heritage...

What kind of legacy are you and I leaving for our children? In this day in age where we are mocked because we are not career women or because we have more then one child, we enjoy serving our husbands and are sold out for the LORD? Now more then ever we as Christians, and not just Christians but christian women need to take a meek and quiet stand. Not to be misunderstood. But we must stand strong for the doctrines in which God teaches us to live by. We must make no compromise, for our precious children are at stake. They are watching and they know...We have the greatest opportunities in our homes.

It seems that in our society that is so full of technology and social media we have become so busy and can be easily distracted from our God given duties. And duties that if you are born again are not duties but yet a privilege.

I will ask you, do you love your family. Do you love your children. I am not speaking of a ewwy, guwwie, gushy sort of love. Yet of a full love as Christ loves us. through the day I try to keep these verses ever before me,

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them dilligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

Deuteronomy 6:6-8

I believe that these verses are packed full of how to obtain a Godly heritage. It seems so simple but at many times we feel that it is hard.

First of all in verse 6 it is commanded, it is not a option to do the things that follow, we are commanded to be ever teaching our children the things of the Lord and the ways of life. If we do not then someone else with a humanist view will be more then happy too take the Job... The devil is after our families and especially our children. I believe that the home is at an all out war with our adversary. Our homes are in shambles in America because most of them have completely taken God out of the picture!

In verse 7 we are to teach them diligently. This is not a half hearted teaching approach or expecting that because you pray over your food at supper time that our faith is going to pass to your children. Our Pastor always makes this statement and I believe it to be so full of truth " Your Children will only have as strong of convictions as your tolerance level." So what ever we tend to let slip by and say oh that is not so bad. One day that will be our children's spiritual best. Now that is a scary thought. I know that there are things in my life that I let slip by that I defiantly do not want Tatum, Elyssa and Titus to have that as there spiritual level. As a mother I am suppose to be teaching my precious little gifts from heaven, and yes they are gifts so make sure you treat them that way, not like yesterdays garbage. They are treasures that are entrusted to us for a eternal purpose.... OK, Teaching them from the time they wake, when we are sitting, and when they are lying down.... Um That is all day long. There is not any half hearted teaching going on here.

Verse 8 and 9 we are suppose to bind this wisdom and Godly doctrine with principles to their hands and our hands. And they are to ever be before their eyes. And everyone around should know that we are Christians. In verse 9 it says to write them on the posts and on the gates. In our home we have scripture verses up and on the outside we have a few hanging things. I think that all the world should know that we have got something different. We should have such a joy and love for the Lord that we will be overflowing and that everyone around us will want what we have or at least say, "I don't have what that family over there has"

Mama's and Godly ladies, do not let the world drag you down. Don't look around at what they have and what they are doing. In the end none of that will matter, the only thing that will last is what is done for Christ. We have our children to mold and to make into great Christians, people that will leave their mark on this world. Jack Hyles had a Mama, Lester Roloff had a Mama, Cindy Schapp had a Mama, John R Rice had a Mama.... They were all children at one time who had Mama's that took their job seriously and they left their print... We to can fight against the devil, we already know who wins. Don't throw in the towel and have the thought ever before you, what kind of heritage are you leaving....

In Christ,

Brittany Brown

Welcome Fall, and the Note Card...

I love this time of year. It is time to get out the sweaters and in no time at all the Holidays will be here. And depending on where you live right around the corner will bring a beautiful white winter wonderland. I am so praying that we will have snow here in North Carolina. Any how, this time of year is filled with so many memory making opportunities.

However this fall seems to have come with sort of a saddened stain to it. I miss Joshua even more now then I did in the summer time. All the smells of beautiful fall. The chill in the air and just the change of the season with my dearest love gone. And the I started to think about all that he will miss being away, He will miss Tatum's seventh birthday, Elyssa's sixth birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas the new year and our birthday. But then I thought to myself wait a minute, I am not going to through a pity party. Recently I have been reading the book of Job. It has been such a blessing to me in this time of trouble. Job found something to praise God for even in the midst of the darkest storm.

I was thinking to myself, I have three little sets of eyes on me all the time. They are watching and waiting to see how I will respond to the life changes that a deployment brings. I have decided that I am going to make every day special. Children are not impressed with the things that we give them or the money we spend on them. Sure it may seem like it up front. But most of all they desire our true love and affection and our time.

Recently Tatum was feeling down with Joshua being gone. She was having a very sad day... It was raining and gloomy and she was feeling unloved. I was so broken hearted by this. But I remembered at a military class they spoke on how this is very normal during a deployment and it is how the mother handles it that will make the most difference. Well being a Christian I went before the LORD with my plea. And I wrote her a little card. It is so fun now that she can read. I wrote a simple little note "To Tatum, Love Mommy... I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU. You are very special to me. I am praying for you! Love Always, Mommy" I placed it on her bed on top of her clothes that she would be putting on that morning when she woke up ;)

When she came down she was all smiles and to be honest by this time and in the midst of all the morning chores I had gotten caught up in, I just thought she was in a pleasant mood. Until she asked Mommy.... May I have one of your special note cards? Of course I granted this request and about 15 minutes later she came down and handed me a card. My heart was thrilled. I did not expect anything back in return from the note that I had placed on her bed that morning. All I simply wanted was to be a blessing to my precious little six year old daughter who was missing her Daddy something terrible the day before. I opened the card and read "To Mommy, Love Tatum.... I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU... I know that you love me and Daddy to. I LOVE YOU MOMMY. Love Tatum Brown". As tears came to my eyes I felt that if I never accomplish anything in this life at all but to have my children be able to say to me "Mommy, I know you love me..." Then I have accomplished more then I could ever dream of.

I was glad that she felt loved and that most of all she knew she was loved. We all have days where we feel unloved, sad and that we are worth nothing. However this is a lie from our adversary. We are loved more then all the riches in this world. Our Lord loves us even when we ourselves feel un lovely! I sat back and thought.... Oh my soul how many times have I done this to God. Felt so down trodden and wanted to throw a pity party and say "no one loves me. I am all alone." When all the while he is standing there with open arms saying "my Child I love you more then the moon and starts. I gave My only son for you and I LOVE YOU....Remember I will never leave you nor forsake you." We are loved beyond measure. And that day when I was trying to be an encouragement to my daughter the child that God has so generously blessed me with. He sent a message to me through her. And I looked to him and said. "I know you love me Lord. I know I am not alone."

We are never alone. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. He is there. He is waiting to carry you through. Not only through the valley but he wants to walk on the mountain tops with you too...

Happy Fall...

In Christ,

Brittany Brown

Phil 4:16

What do you base your beauty on???

Hello fellow sisters,

It has been a while. I recently just returned from an amazing woman's conference. I was so encouraged and was touched by the LORD. I saw his hand in a mighty way and for this I am greatly appreciative.

I was compelled to write to you on beauty. What do you base your beauty on? As a Christian woman we are told to search our spirit and that beauty is on the inside. This is true. However I am a firm believer that if the inside is right then the outside will naturally follow.

So many times we hold ourselves up to the worlds standards. When really we should hold ourselves up to our Lord and Saviour and see what he has to say. If I were to ask you if you could change one thing about your self what would you say. I have to say the first thing that comes to my mind is that I would loose just a little more weight. Chances are you are thinking of something that has to do with your appearance also.

The Bible says in Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." However you look, thank God for it. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

My commitment is to focus on one thing that I can change on the inside. Sure I could loose a little more weight. But more importantly I can always use a little more strengthening in my walk with God. I have two precious little girls whom I want to teach to Love the Lord with all of their heart and all of their mind. I want them to learn by my example. I want them to see that when you have a close unwavering walk with the LORD then that you will naturally have an amazing spirit that will run over to the outward man.

I love makeup and jewelry and all of the things that most ladies love =) However I do not want to be remembered for hair, makeup and jewelry. I want to be remembered as a woman who feared the Lord and loved him with all of her heart, who wanted to bring others to know Christ more. Now think back to what you said you would change and stop for a moment and think "what would you like to be remembered by?"

Do the two line up?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am sure that you have all heard that before. If you are created by an almighty God and look different than the girl sitting next to you in church on Sunday morning, praise God for it. You are special in his sight and there in none other like you. He carefully chose your eye color, your hair color and how tall you would be and he hand picked your strengths and your weaknesses. There is none other like you!!!

I like to think beauty is as beauty does. Do not compare yourself to others and do not compete with the way that another lady looks. Adorn yourself with the fruit of the spirit and let the outward man follow. All the fun stuff is great, just a little extra to our package. Yet should not be our only focus. Make sure that you are not solely relying on these to feel beautiful or measure your worth. You mean much more to God then some paint and hairspray!!!

I often think of Sarah and how even the lost men looked upon her and thought of how beautiful she was. So much that Abraham had her lie and say that she was his sister, for he feared his life would be taken if they knew that she was his wife. This means that she was amazingly beautiful. She was a Godly woman whose spirit flowed from her inner being to her outward appearance. I have heard from young christian ladies who struggle with the thoughts of "is it OK" to look pretty and be a christian. I must be honest after I was saved I had some of the same struggles. Yet, as I have grown in the Lord I am so encouraged by his creation. He made the beautiful blue sky with bright white clouds, a golden sun and the richest green color for our grass. He is beautiful. He is lovely. and there is no blandness to our creator. I have tried to embrace this in my life. I am part of God's creation as are you. We do not need to be a cookie cutter christian. God made you special as an individual and he needs who you are to fulfill his divine purpose.

I hope this is an encouragement to you... Just remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made by the creator of the universe. There is beauty in every single part of his creation and you my sister are no different =)

In Christ,

Brittany

Need your Help =)

HEY LADIES,
I am looking for 3 to 5 friends or family members that are willing to help me kick start my new side business. I decided to take on selling "lia sophia" it's jewelry! YEAH! I am so excited. To be honest when I went to my friends show I was just going to purchase a couple pieces. But... I fell in love with jewelry and the excellent benefits oh, and how much money I could save my friends on their jewelry.

If you are one of the lovely ladies that would love to take advantage of the following leave me a message on my blog or email me (brownfam211@yahoo.com)
-the average host receives $300. of jewelry for only $15.00 she may also be eligible to receive another $400 for $60.
-you will receive 20% of your show sales in FREE jewelry and could also earn up to 40% in FREE jewelry!
-5 bonus items this means purchase 5 items in the catalog at $15 each or unless otherwise priced in the catalog!!!
-2 items of your choice at 50% off!!!

It would be a night of fun of fellowship and shopping with your girlfriends. Oh and for your guests there is always a sale... Our everyday sale in buy two of your LOWEST priced items and get your third HIGHEST priced item for 50% off!!! Crazy it is opposite of the department stores... Everyone will have a chance to win some FREE jewelry. What do you have to loose. Help a Sister out!!! Love y'all hope this interest you.

email me and check out my web site at www.liasophia.com/brittanybrown1
you can also preview the catalog on my above web site!!!

(If you want to receive the above benefit's but do not want to host an in home show you may also host a catalog show. see how many orders you can snag.)

YES I ALMOST FORGOT. If you schedule a show with me before December 1st and hold the date I will buy you any item in the catalog that is $100.00 or Less....

Thanks Ladies,
Brittany

share this with anyone you know that may be interested =)

I Can Go In!!!

After visiting the Abigail Miller web site to order some Cd's I was once again extremely blessed by her song "I Can Go In". As I sat weeping tears of joy while the children finished up their lunch. Tatum and Elyssa became concerned "Why are you crying Mommy?" They both were asking. I could not stop rejoicing in the wonderful gift of salvation. If you are saved how could we ever stop rejoicing!

As Tatum brought me a tissue to wipe away my tears they seemed to be becoming even more concerned that Mommy was so joyful and crying =) I explained to them the amazing gift of salvation and of the saints of old and of all the Martyrs that have laid down their lives and kept the faith. And how easy to them we must have it just to be saved by grace. And how some day we will share the glorious streets of gold with these men and women! And how when we get to heaven it will not matter because we will all be rejoicing together. And I was able to tell them that I can go in....

Have you ever paused for a moment just to say that phrase to your self " I Can Go In" Oh how powerful it is. Not everyone will stand some day and say it. And when I read the song lyrics I feel as the man did in the verses, asking who are these? I am not one of these... I just want to bow in shame, and say I am not one of these. As the man does in the song. But wait, at the end he rejoices and cries...I CAN GO IN.... Why can he go in? He was no prophet, was not burned at the stake, or asked to renounce his faith. But yes he can go in... He has been washed in the Blood. Saved by God's grace. He may enter with those giants of the faith. Yes He can go in.

Can you go in. Are you a rejoicing Christian? If not, why not? Is your heart overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to your Lord and Savior? If you are saved there should be nothing that can bother you. Sure there are things, trials that we face in this life. But when they come just say that phrase to yourself..."I can go in." There is so much hope and joy in four small words. I am still joyous when I really stop and think... I CAN GO IN!!!

Praise the Lord. I invite you to visit Abigailmiller.com, you will truly be blessed by her testimony and the amazing songs that she has written. I want to share with you her lyrics...

Written by Abigail Miller, (Taken by a sermon preached my Charles Spuregon)

He stood beside the gates of Heaven. waiting to go in,
And he wondered how this Holy Place could take a man like him.

with shouts of great rejoicing and with music then they came,

Of the angels standing by him he asked what could be their name?

"These are the company of prophets. The goodly fellowship of souls,"

"Who spake God's Word with faith and boldness; who blessed the poor,

and made the wounded whole."

"Oh," he fell upon his knees, and cried, "I am not one of these."

He waited 'till another band of shining ones drew nigh,

They entered into Heaven with a "Hallelujah" cry.

He asked again, "Who are these? Can you tell me whence they came?"

He seemed to see the answer in a burning tongue of flame.

"These are the company of martyrs, the mighty fellowship of Saints."

"Who knew our Lord and walked beside Him."

"Who ran the holy race and did not faint."

"Oh," he fell upon his knees, and cried, "I am not one of these."

Then suddenly, a multitude was heard from far away.

Their voices rang with songs of joy like children at their play.

He saw Rahab, He saw David, Mary Magdalene and Paul,

And the thief who died by Jesus was the one who led them all.

"Who are these?!" he almost shouted at the angels.

"These are the sinners saved by grace!"

"The host of them who called upon the Savior,"

"Washed in the Blood and justified by faith!"

And, Oh...he leaped up from his knees!

"Oh, I can go in with these!!!"

"And I can go in, for my heart is free from sin."

"I've been washed in the Blood, everlasting life to win."

"I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice...I can sing...and I can go in."

Oh, he thought there could be no hallelujahs and no cries,

For this lowly band of people by the world despised,

But as the scenes of heaven opened up before his eyes,

He saw the martyrs and the prophets, and the host of heaven rise,

And they sang, "I can go in. For my heart is free from sin."

I've been washed in the blood, everlasting life to win,"

"I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice...I can sing... and I can go in."

"I can go in."

"I can rejoice, I can lift up my voice...I can sing...and I can go in."

"I can go in."

Can you go in. If not and you want to know how please let me know. If you can then lift up your voice and REJOICE..."YOU CAN GO IN..."

I have been so blessed by the words of this song. I just had to share. My heart could just jump up and run around and sing. Glory to God in the Highest. I may never deserve to go in. But by the grace of God. I Brittany Brown have been washed in the Blood, cleansed from every sin. That is something to shout about. My prayer is that you still have that blessed joy that you first had after salvation. It can so easily be lost when we get tripped up with the every day things of life. But there is so much Joy in the Christian life. Read the lyrics again and visit her web site so that you can sample the song. I promise you will be truly blessed.

Because of Christ,

Brittany Brown

Just one more soul...

I love to read in Gods word of people and their conversions. I am just thrilled through every miracle of a sinner saved by grace. One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of Acts. It is packed full of wonderful history of the Church and of Godly people taking a stand for Jesus Christ. If you have been saved for any amount of time the salvation of ones soul is absolutely amazing. Just as much so as a new born baby being brought into this earthly world, It is the same as one who is born into the family of God.

One of my favorite salvation stories found in the book of Acts is the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch. One of the reasons I love it so is because of the simplicity of it. And that the Lord saw that something that would not take up much room or time to tell was of much significance.

You can find this account in Acts 8:26-39

It shows that when you are witnessing to someone you never know where they are at on their own spiritual journey. Has some one else sowed the seed. Maybe another has already done some watering and maybe you will be the one to harvest. Or it could be completely the other way around you could be the one to plant the seed, or water. you just never know unless you take the time to find out. Here in this passage of scripture we see how sensitive to the Holy Spirit Phillip was. It says in verse 29 "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." The Bible says in verse 30 that Philip ran to the chariot. This shows us that he obeyed God and that he obeyed Him with joy, hast and zeal. He did not take his time and dilly dally around. He took what God said seriously and by faith trusted and obeyed. We should have the same attitude. When you feel that little prick from the Holy Spirit we should definitely obey. There have been many a times when I have heard from the Lord and have not followed. I have for some reason or another shrugged it off. Yes I am sad to say. I often wonder if when we get to heaven if the Lord will show us all the times that he told us to pass a track, speak a word of encouragement or to boldly stand and witness and we made the choice not to. I know for sure that I will hang my head in shame. I am trying to seek to be more like Christ and to seize every opportunity that the Lord would allow me to have. As I hope is the same for you dear Christian reader.

I love how Philip goes to him and does not just start shoving the gospel down his thought. He enquires of him what he is reading (verse 30). Then Philip asked if he understood what he was reading. And the Ethiopian man asked him how he could understand. And it speaks of what he was reading and then he asks Philip do you know of whom this speaketh? Philip does not go into an in depth doctrinal study with the man about what he was reading. No, the Bible says in verse 35 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus Christ. There is something I try to remember when I am witnessing to someone that I do not know if I will ever have another chance or not. I was taught it in a soul winning class shortly after myself was saved. That you never debate doctrine, that you stick to the scripture and what the Bible says about salvation. You stick to the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You leave them with something to think about, or maybe even lead them to the Lord if they are ready as was done here.

The Bible says and they went on their way and that they came to a body of water. Here the Ethiopian man asked what he must do to be baptized and a simple answer is given. Philip tells the man that if he be livest with all of his heart. Simple but true. And in verse 37 the man at the end of the verse answered " I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God." And he was saved. It does not say and he was saved. But if you finish up the chapter it talks of them commanding the chariot to stop and Philip baptizing him and then Philip being called away by the Lord and the Eunuch going on his way.

I do not know why. But the Lord has always giving me a heart to meet this man when I get to heaven. I want to hear of all of the things that he went on to do for My Lord and saviour. I am intrigued by his testimony because we never hear of him again. This is the only account. And I am so blessed by the fact that the Lord would take such a simple account, but yet so much more miraculous than we will ever know, and include it in his word.

One of my favorite songs that I love to hear is the good old fashioned song "If just one more soul" It goes something like
-But if just one more soul were to walk down the isle, it would be worth every struggle it would be worth every trial, a life time of labor is still worth it all, if it rescues just one more soul-

I am so encouraged that the Lord gave us such a wonderful, free gift of salvation. It can not be earned, bought or traded. It is free by choosing to accept it. in Romans 10:9-11 the Bible says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED.

Praise the Lord that he has shown his mercy to such a wicked and cursed world. And that he was willing to sacrifice his life so that we may have eternal life! I am over joyed by this thought. I love to hear testimonies. Especially of those that we find through out God's Word of the saints of old. Which were left as an example for us on how to be saved and how to lead others to Christ. I hope this will encourage you...

In Christ Jesus,
Brittany