Take ME Out of the Way Lord!

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethern, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Forthe promise is unto you, and your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" Acts 2:37-41

Sometimes I can get so frustrated when dealing with someone about their precious soul!  I mean I feel like do you not get it.  Do you want to go to heaven?  This is so backwards to what God has commanded us to be like!  We are suppose to use HIS word.  Not our awesome reasoning abilities.  God has a plan and it is simple.  I have found that when I get in the way there is another soul still bound for HELL.

I remember back in the early days after I received Christ, Joshua and I were taking a soul winning class.  I remember Pastor Clark telling us do not argue with people.  Always take them back to Jesus!  Jesus is the one who will do the saving, Jesus is the only name under heaven that one can be saved by.  So why, why do I often get in the way.  I have asked myself this question over and over.  It honestly comes back to the fact that I am usually not looking at how important this matter of salvation is.  There is a battle for the precious lost soul.  If I would use my sword (The Bible)  then the battle would be won.  How often I just try to tell and talk about salvation.

In Acts Peter and the other apostles were not saying what they felt about salvation.  No, they were proclaiming thus saith the LORD!  And we notice that the lost were pricked in their hearts.  So much that Peter did not even have to ask "Would you like to ask Jesus to come into your heart?"  They asked him "What shall we do?"  Then Peter was able to tell them the simple plan of salvation!  And there were thousands added to the church!

So easy yet so many times so over complicated.  I believe the Bible is God's literal word.  I believe that it is still the same as it was when Jesus spoke it!  So why do I try to reinvent the wheel?  I honestly do not know...  I do know that it has been my plea to the LORD lately Lord help me to see people as you see them.  Lord give me a crucified heart.  Strike down the pride that I have inside.  For it is only by God's grace that I am saved myself.

I so often think about the fact that God could have chosen another method to bring people to the cross.  Yet HE chose me, and all His children.  He did not save us and take us up to heaven.  He left us here with a specific detailed plan.  Go and tell the world there is a saviour and HE is alive.  When they ask me how I know, I can boldly proclaim because He lives within my heart!  Lord take me out of the way and cause me to die to self so that others may see you through my life!

"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."
Matthew 9:37-38

Am I so filled with self that I do not even go.  Lord let me never get to this place...

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?  Then said I, Here am I; send me."
Isaiah 6:8

Here am I LORD send me,
Brittany

My Quiet Time Alone

John 20:1-18
I was so excited this morning when I read this passage.  It is all to familiar to the Christian :( it is so easy to read over and have the attitude of "I know this story"
Sad... Yes... But often true in my life anyway.
I was thrilled because in Proverbs 31 we are charged with some amazing tasks as wives and mothers and just as ladies in general.  One that has always stuck out to me is she was a successful lady because she rose early.  She was awake in the wee hours of the morning!  In John 20:1 Mary was up and at em' early.  It was yet dark.  Hmm.  I see a pattern here :)  also I noticed her faith!  She rose early and she acted on what she had been taught.  I find it so eye opening that out of all the disciples and people Jesus taught, of what would come to pass the only one at the tomb this early Sunday morning was a sweet woman who had been forgiven of her sins.  She obviously believed what Jesus taught and wanted to be there right away.  She was also the first to see Him after he rose from the grave!  Amen ladies...  Jesus rewarded her faith.  She had a special meeting with Him, one on one early that morning!  I was so encouraged by this thought.  In my quiet time I get to meet with Jesus one on one.  Early in the morning while it is yet dark!  I exercise my faith in what He has taught through His Holy Word!  And I too shall be rewarded :)  Do not neglect your walk with the one who has forgiven you and redeemed you by his precious blood...  I often have wondered when reading this passage, was Jesus just waiting to see who would show up first?  After all, He told them what would happen.  He is waiting for us each and every morning.  He wants to fill our cups so that we may be able to show Him forth through out our day to our families and others that are watching!
One last thing I noticed, she stayed until she got something!  When she ran to tell the others that Jesus was missing, the others came...  They saw he was gone and the scripture says they all went home.  Yet there she stood weeping.  Then Jesus showed himself to her.  She waited and she met with the Lord!  Do not leave to early!  Wait he has something just for you today :)
I love the Bible!
Happy Tuesday Ladies,
Brittany

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 =)