Taken a few days to just be present and still. Finished my daily study and completed each of the items. I am thankful for our church which continues to amaze me with God’s message each week, and in addition to that, we were able to attend a class Sunday evening that was centered around parenting in a Christian way, and raising emotionally healthy children. Full transparency, I have felt such an uneasiness with all of this news circulating about the “Cornell 7”. I have constantly been thinking about how we can raise not just a healthy, happy and kind little boy but a future man who will be a respectful, resilient Christian that will always stand up for what is right and do the right thing. In the last several days, I have really felt God’s steady hand guiding us in how we are teaching Jace, praying with him daily, spending time in church with him, talking about what it means to be a good friend and to do what is right no matter who it involves. And even in the moments where I have felt this tremendous pressure to get it right with Jace and prayed about it, I equally have felt such a calming presence and I know that is not just a coincidence. I hope you all are having a great week and looking forward to finishing these 30 days strong.

Had such a great message today at church, even though we are in the mtns for the weekend for fall break. The sermon today was centered around 1 Timothy, a part of the Bible that causes much controversy for many people based on how they interpret it. The main takeaway for me was that when we refuse to submit we have a tendency to try to change and dominate. We are called to live in Godly ways. Some days I really reflect and wonder if I’m doing it right, continuing to grow spiritually and if I am setting the proper example for Jace. Tonight he told me he loves when we pray together on the way to school and at bedtime. Here are the notes I took on my phone (I forgot my church journal at home 😩): 1 Timothy 2:8 -Paul gives instructions for proper behavior for men and women in public church meetings -Addressing the men to say lift your hands in prayer - symbolizes your heart of surrender and worship -Sometimes you can put on the show but if I’m not doing the right things then that’s all it is You can’t worship if you are angry with others and that is your focus, not on Jesus -Unresolved conflict destroys worship -True worship flows from surrendered hearts shaped by obedience and repentance -Paul is contrasting what is going on on the outside vs the inside - women can have extravagant outside appearance that detracts from Jesus -are these still relevant or just for 1st century Ephesus -what is cultural vs universal -praying is universal - praying together, worshipping together, focus on Jesus -modesty in dress -the point is God is calling all of us to holiness -be more concerned of what God thinks of you than what someone else thinks of you -it’s about our hearts! -Paul’s concern as he writes in 1 Timothy is HOW women are to learn; refers to a quiet demeanor, spirit that is peaceable not argumentative -authority vs submission -to submit is to acknowledge our place under authority with God -Paul is writing to explain how the church needs order. Without it, there will be chaos, fighting and focus on yourself not on God

This is so so great, Cris!!!

I’ve often wondered this!!

I’m going to try this. This is such a great idea also to write it down. I’ve never done that.

100000%.

@Elisa DiMeo this is so true!! I feel this in my soul!! The world we live in today definitely makes it easy to constantly hear and see so much noise, distraction and sadly the work of Satan in so many ways, so it takes the consistent desire to quiet the noise and focus on Him. 🫶🏽