Drea Wood

Category Archives: scripture

It is better

Written on 04/06/2012 by Dreawood in friends, scripture

This week during our morning devotional with the kids… Travis read a part in John 16 that said:

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

I don’t think I had ever heard that piece of scripture. Or I guess I should say I am sure Ive heard it, but I never heard it emphasized like Travis did that morning.

When I was 15 years old – and really before then… I felt a tugging at my heart. I had stepped away from church for years prior to coming to my friend’s youth group… and one day I just went.

I knew I wasn’t right where I was… running from God. Using excuses of not wanting to “Dress up” in my parents church, or really just rebelling and not wanting to “listen to my parents...” after all “I knew better & I could make my own decisions.” Satan is great at deceiving us… and using lies to keep us from Christ.

I am so thankful God brought me to that youth group… and helped me realize just how desperately I did need Him.

It has been almost 15 years since that photo was taken. I was 16 in it.

Time has flown by…

I am so thankful God sent his Son for me.

… and through the Holy Spirit He began to tug at my heart and spoke truth.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter Weekend.

I will end with a piece of scripture I saw on my friend Tara’s Blog. I loved it.

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”
(Luke 24: 1-6)

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Take it away

Written on 04/01/2012 by Dreawood in scripture

This sunday morning I am at home by myself. I didn’t sleep well last night and woke up not feeling great… and just really felt (as much as you can feel at 6:30am) that I needed to just stay home today. Travis and the boys got ready and by 8 were out the door to sunday school and church.

I think there are times when we just need to be alone… and as a mom of 3 there are very few times this happens. Even if I put my boys down for “quiet time” and naps… it never fails, I will be interrupted by something or someone. I remember one day last week I was attempting to read through a book Travis and I are going through – and I kid you know, within a 30 minute time span I was interrupted at least 5 times. Requiring me to get up… and do something else.

I find most of my days when I try to have a quiet time or read… that is what happens. I think that it has developed a sense of anticipation on my part – where I am constantly having thoughts of what interruption or thing will come up – and I really just can not concentrate.

So! that being said… to sit here and just be… is needed.

The only demand I have is my hope to take a shower before the family gets home at 11:30 :)

I came across an article this morning about a lady who lost her little girl… It of course made me cry. I loved the scriptures this mom used though at the end of her post…

and I then proceeded onto her personal blog – to learn more about who she was.

I then saw… that not only did she loose her daughter but she also battled brain cancer for years as well – after loosing her little girl.

When I hear stories like this my thoughts automatically go to “Why?! why would God allow a person to suffer so much… especially a person who Loves Him.”

I then sat and thought about my dear friend Laurie… who’s husbands brother battled cancer for years and passed just a week or so ago… leaving behind a sweet wife and 4 children. Why did he have to go through that? why is it that he is having to leave his family so early? He was so young…

Yet I know that we live in a fallen world… and even those who know the Lord… we will never go through life without struggle… without hurt… or without loss.

There have been times in my life where things have happened… and I just question why God would allow it. I remember at times wishing something would happen that would just allow me to FORGET times in life and even if it did happen, that my memory would be washed from it – so I would no longer have that hurt.

It is almost as if we’d rather hide the hurt… never feel it – rather than deal with it.

As I was reading through that moms blog at the bottom of the page that talks about her family… and the loss of her daughter then battle with cancer… she quoted this verse…

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

One thing I am learning here in COR – is that going through those hurts…. and DEALING with them… is part of the process the Lord uses to refine us… to grow us… Hiding the hurt… pushing it under that rug… pretending it didn’t happen – does nothing. So often I think we do this… try to ignore it… I find that it really creates a bitterness… resentment and anger inside us…

Ripping up those scabs… is painful… but we really have to learn to trust our Father with it.

Will I ever understand fully why children have to die so young… or babies pass just hours after birth… or fathers & mothers are taken from their families… and so many other struggles so many deal with in life – probably not.

But there is such an assurance in knowing we are His…

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.” ~Isaiah 43:1b

Not sure if any of this makes sense… I am just sitting in the quiet… with the bird chirps :) & decided to write.
If you have hurt you have not dealt with… I encourage you to face it. Even if its something that happened 10 years ago…

I will end with how Heather (the mom I mentioned above) ended her post…

“One thing that I have learned during these rock hard times in my life is that it is okay to be angry. It is okay to hurt. It is even okay to be angry with God.

What is not okay is to sit in that anger; to remain in that place for so long that satan literally has strongholds in your heart regarding that issue.

When love hurts, where do you run to? Where do you hide? Is it in the anger and bitterness that satan uses as a magnet, binding your heart with his? Or is it in the promises of the the One who created you and knows your every hurt, even when you aren’t speaking to Him?”

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Society Says

Written on 02/10/2012 by Dreawood in scripture

The other day I happen to see an article on someones facebook about the Victoria Secret Model Kylie Bisutti quitting.

The article caught my eye, because her reasoning for quitting was in relation to her faith as a Christian… and so I clicked the link on facebook and began reading THIS article.

Now if you are a man reading my blog, I actually suggest you DON’T click that link. In the video they show with Kylie’s interview, they also show run way video and photographs of her modeling tini tiny bikinis and so on. So guard your eyes and just read the snippets below on what Kylie had to say & why she quit.

“I just became so convicted of honoring the Lord and my body and wanting to be a role model for other women out there who look up to me,” Bisutti said today on “Good Morning America.”

“I was growing in my relationship with the Lord and my faith. I’m a strong believing Christian,” Bisutti told “GMA” of how her thoughts on the job she has described as her “absolutely biggest goal in life” began to change.

“It was more of just a heart issue for me,” she said.

Its about time a woman stood up and did this.

Really.

I may step on toes here… I have friends who buy victoria secret and even have some friends who WORK at the stores in the mall… We each have to pray and seek the Lord on what we feel is right or wrong… but in all honesty, I have a hard time understand why any believer would think Victoria Secrets way of marketing was “okay.” Strike me now.

To not even be able to go to a public mall, a place that should be safe to go with our families… without a 15 foot display of a nearly naked woman seducing married men as they walk by lusting & placing images into our young boys and teens… is just terrible. Obviously we as women have a need for bra’s and all that… but the sexualized way they promote it to the public, is just opening the flood gates for our men and young boys to struggle with sexual addiction and pornography.

Our Pastor talks a lot about strong holds and sexual addiction at our church… and how so many men are trapped in this… The statistics he gives are unreal…

Not sure where I am going with this post.

Just a reminder that we need to stand up, and be bold with our faith.

Not to compromise… because of what society says is acceptable.

“I will walk with integrity of heart…
I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless. ” ~ Psalm 101:2-3

… all this being said. If you buy Victoria Secret, that is your decision. We each have to decide for ourselves on issues like this… but if you are a believer… I encourage you to read up on modesty… and holiness… and the importance of guarding our hearts… & Victoria Secret… your products may FEEL GOOD… and really be well made, but less is more… and I am sure I am not the only woman who hates seeing these half naked women on posters… making us feel insecure of how our bodies look and will never look, and fear for our husbands and children who may have to struggle with sexual addiction, because of early exposure from posters and ads such as yours. Put some curtains on your store and a sign – I am sure you’d still sell plenty…. if the product “is good.”…. and possibly sell more.

update: I’ve had a few comments about my post putting blame on women. Just want to clarify I do not blame a woman for a mans decision to lust. Its obviously UP to a man to look… but those images do not help… and are just the spark young men need into much deeper sexual addictions, that is not healthy, ruin marriages…. and can lead to affairs among other things. If Victoria Secret wants to keep their over sexual image, thats fine. But my problem is the way they advertise it in public malls, billboards, etc..etc… there’s no need for it. If you disagree that is fine. These are my opinions & don’t expect everyone to agree with them. And obviously my blog post isn’t going to change the way they advertise. But I don’t have to support them.

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He gives the finest wheat….

Written on 12/21/2011 by Dreawood in COR, family, scripture

For those who don’t follow my blog on a regular basis (shame shame, hehe) – you may not realize that about 5 1/2 months ago my husband and I moved.

The circumstances weren’t easy.

We didn’t make the decision to move because we wanted to… although when we did finally decide to go, we did have a peace about it, as difficult as that may have been… With my husbands resignation at our former church, a lot of mixed emotions came to the surface…

I think I have done well keeping things pretty vague… not wanting to point fingers or judge… but at the same time speaking truth about what happened and why we are where we are.

One thing I know, after months living here…. is that despite the reasoning for us having to move. The Lord had such an incredible plan for us coming here.

For us to even be in the place we are is amazing.

100′s apply yet only a handful are even accepted in.

We are having the opportunity to connect with some of the most uplifting people we have ever met. People who challenge us… encourage us, love on us, support us…

We have had time and will continue to have time to work on our marriage, our family, our walk with the Lord, our finances & have guidance and time to decide where the Lord would have us go next in ministry.

What seemed like such a dim, hurtful and hopeless situation has turned out to be one of the best.

I read this scripture the other day, that just stood out to me so much. Maybe because I am now milling my own wheat ;-) – but really, it just spoke such truth!

“Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your children within you.
He makes peace in your borders,
And fills you with the finest wheat. “
- Psalm 147:12-14

I love how the Lord can take a situation like ours and turn it to good.

I love that he can take bitterness from us and turn it into grace.

I love when he provides mentors, leadership & Godly friendships to help guide us through the bumps in life and ministry.

I love it when the Lord can take sorrow… hardship, suffering & use it to refine… strengthen and grow us.

We serve an amazing God.

Who in His sovereignty has such a perfect plan for those who seek His face.

Even though it may not always seem perfect :)

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I yell

Written on 10/31/2011 by Dreawood in COR, scripture, struggles

I had some alone time today… rare it seems some weeks.
I write this with 2 little ones in the room watching an quick TV show… which btw, is very distracting :) – try writing with any sort of kid cartoon on. You never realize how many strange noises come from one cartoon, until you try to sit down and write :)

Owen is resting, so Im just using this time to sit… reflect… and relax. Kid cartoon and all :)

I read this today during some of my alone time and it stood out…

“I yell at my children, fester with bitterness, forget doctor appointments, lose library books, live selfishly, skip prayer, complain, go to bed too late, neglect cleaning the toilets. I live tired. Afraid. Anxious. Weary…. Would I ever be enough, find enough, do enough?…. It’s the inbetweens that drive us mad.”

“How does one live ready, always ready? Yes, ultimately, only Jesus. Yes, this premature dying to self, birthing into the cross-life, the grace cocoon before emerging into the life unending. Without this Jesus, no, no one can be ready.”

This was taken from a book called “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. It is a book I’ve had for some time now… but sadly have not completed. I will be the 1st to admit, I struggle with finding time to read books.. It in all honesty makes me sleepy! I think because as a mom of 3 little ones, I am often times doing 3-4 things at once… so when I just sit… my body must think “oooo its time to sleep!” – since when time does come to rest, it is usually at night, when I lay down to sleep. Oddly enough at night, I find myself wide awake with a million things running through my head… funny how that works.

I really have to discipline myself to read more than a few lines…

Sunday our Pastor spoke on Strong Holds… and wow, just an incredible sermon.
I cant even begin to touch on what he said… and for some time now I have debated sharing what church we are at right now… but I am to the point now that I am tired of secrets… and really just want to share the awesome things the Lord is teaching us during this time here. So if you’d like to watch our Pastor’s sermon, you can on the church website. Look under “Oct 30th” – 9:30am service. Skip to Minute 32:00 if you would like to skip all the music, and get right into the sermon.

One of the things that kept coming to me during this sermon was something I struggle with…

and that is time… and priorities. Figuring out how to manage life as a mother, home schooling, cooking, cleaning, managing a professional photography business (that oddly enough has picked up a lot this month!, thankfully), being a wife… and really just having time inbetween to take care of myself physically… and spiritually. It all is something I find overwhelming at times and wonder “Do I really have time to just sit and pray?”

I have often felt I could justify my lack of prayer time, because of where I am in life right now. I could use my children as an excuse to not having enough time to sit and pray…. or read a chapter(s) in my bible. TO really meditate on Gods word. I have been one to say it is ok to replace that time with prayers at the kitchen sink… or prayers while folding laundry… and while I think those times are great fellowship… and the Lord loves to hear his children talk to him throughout the day… it isn’t the same as sitting down with His Word… alone…

I struggle with that!

Our Pastor mentioned this scripture in his sermon…

“Proverbs 28:13, “He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

and… the 1st thing I thought was “I should just blog this… ” – that way everyone knows my struggle. So that those in my life who are close to me, can call me and ask “soooo did you have time alone today?” – its so easy to call up a friend and talk about everything but the Lord.. Im guilty of that…

Where is my focus?

I have realized I spend way to much time messing with my blog.
Browsing Pinterest, eeeee so guilty!
On occasion checking out the latest on facebook, why? I mean really? Does it have to be checked 3 times a day? do I check my heart that often?

Don’t worry.. this time was set apart, after my time with the Lord.

While blogging is an income for our family…
and something I truly do enjoy…
It should not replace my time with the Lord, by blogging and what not.

Balance…

Priorities…

I really am starting to see where this is a stronghold of mine.

Here are some steps our Pastor gave to help with working through strongholds:

1. Convicted that the stronghold is sin and you cannot defeat it in your strength (flesh).

1 Thess 1:9, “how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

(not from idols to God)

2. Confess to God and others.
Note: 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16

Isolation promotes bondage, but true spiritual community promotes freedom.

Proverbs 18:1-2
“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.
A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.”

3. Receive the gift of Godly sorrow (repentance).
Humbly invite the Lord to allow us to see our stronghold through His eyes, promoting the gift of
Godly sorrow that leads to a true repentance;
NOTE: II Cor 7:10.

4. Move from the fruit to the root.

Share with a trusted friend, allowing the roots of the pain to be exposed.

5. Receive God’s comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able
to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are
comforted by God.”

6. Take your thoughts captive.

Examine your thoughts by holding them up to the truth of God’s Word. (II Cor 10:5).

7. Replace the lies with God’s truth.

Reject lies, receive truth, replace lies.

8. Cultivate a lifestyle of intimacy with God and with others in His family.

I realize that there are some seriously hard strongholds out there…. Mine seems so small when I compare it to what others may be struggling with… There are families whos husbands are addicted to pornography, hiding it from their wives… There are wives having affairs with men at the work place, online, or who knows where… justifying it as long as it doesnt go to far. These types of strongholds I cannot even imagine having to share with anyone… but scripture is so clear about making it known.. and while I DO NOT think you should blog that type of stuff… I think that is a type of situation that should only be shared with a trusted friend… of Pastor/counselor….

I guess the purpose of this blog post, that is becoming hard to write. With the crazy cartoon noises in the background.. my mind wandering… and my fear of writing something inappropriate or fears of people reading it wrong…

I think I just want to share my struggle.
It may not seem like much… but it is very real.
Add to those things self doubt, insecurities, and a bucket load of crap that weighs heavy on me, due to the lies of this world… and my flesh…

I know whatever the stronghold, we are all sinners… who need a Savior.
I in myself am not enough.

I will never defeat any of this without Christ.

I will end… with what I started…

- Ann Voskamp

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