Allyson Carter's Blog, page 6

Unleavened Bread, Jesus and The Matzah Connection

Unleavened Bread, Jesus and The Matzah Connection

My family and I are in the middle of celebrating Passover and Feast of Unleavened bread. It’s an amazing time and holiday. We start by cleaning out all the old leaven (chametz) from our home and hearts.  Chametz represents sin in our lives. Death and Decay. I start by cleaning my whole house and not just cleaning, but really deep cleaning. All the cabinets have all things taken out, vacuumed and then wiped down, including the refrigerator.

I also put any anything with leavening into a cabinet that has already been cleaned and won’t be used. It gets tapped up and not used for the holiday. Sure, it is hard not to eat things with leaven, but it is so worth it. The lessons we have learned are worth all the hard work.

Unleavened Bread, Jesus and The Matzah Connection

We buy matzah and lots of it! I do mean lots as we will be eating it in place of bread this week. I totally think it is amazing that this “piece of bread, which so isn’t bread,” is pierced and has stripes on it. Sound familiar?

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  

What an amazing reminder set right before us reach year as this holiday comes around? Maybe God is trying to tell us something by this? You think?

If you’re interested in learning more I suggest you go to Hebrew For Christians. They explain it so much better over there, then I ever could.

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Slow to Anger Like God

Slow to Anger Like God

How many times have we held onto anger or hurt? Someone says or does something that upsets us, and we take all of it in. We tell them we forgive them with our mouths and on the inside, where no one but God can see, we wrap our hands around the situation. We’re like a child with their favorite toy who won’t ever release their fingers.

Yet, deep inside our hearts we still hold. You can let it seed and take root deep into your heart. Replay it over and over in our minds until we’re upset all over again.

I was reading in Psalms 103 and it talks about how God is slow to anger, he won’t harbor anger towards us. Talk about a smack upside the head. You know a prickling of the spirit. God gently showing us how to live and to treat others, including our enemies. Let it go. It is hard but in the end it is so worth it.

Psalm 103 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

God is so good to us. Sisters, why can’t we show this same grace to others? Be the hands and feet of Jesus. It would send a powerful message, that’s for sure.

Our father is so merciful. We’re the ones who belong on the cross to die for our sins, and yet, He sent His only Son. I don’t know know about y’all but that makes me want to worship him and to be more like Christ. To show a hurting world that we’re not just believers by the mouth, but in our actions.

Our sins are casts far as east is from the west. This song is such a great reminder.

“East To West” Credit: Casting Crowns

Here I am, Lord, and I’m drowning in your sea of forgetfulness

The chains of yesterday surround me

I yearn for peace and rest

I don’t want to end up where You found me

And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight

I know You’ve cast my sin as far as the east is from the west

And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned

But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west

’cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

’cause You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin

Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in

Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You’ve washed me white, turned my darkness into light

I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night

I can’t live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals

I’m not holding on to You, but You’re holding on to me

You’re holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west

I don’t have to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

’cause You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

One scarred hand to the other

From one scarred hand to the other

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Revisions Can Be Scary–They Don’t Have To Be

Revisions Can Be Scary–They Don’t Have To Be

Those lovely revisions we all dread, or maybe that’s just me. SCARY! I can hear the groans from here from writers all over the world. You’ve written an amazing first draft, or so you think . You have the bones of a good book, but now you have to go back and make sure everything meshes together. This is where revisions come in.

You open the Word doc and want to scream because that amazing story sounds like crap as you read. Have no fear! It can be fixed. This is what revisions is all about before editing. This is where major parts will be changed. Huge chunks may have to me added or taken away. You know, the whole scene isn’t working right and the only thing that can be done is to remove it.

Hands shaking with what you know you have to do. Sweat on the forehead and sick feeling in your gut. Is this the right decision or not? All the second guessing. Yep, that happens in this stage. You will doubt yourself and why int he world did you think you could be an author. Oh, let me insert this funny scene from Mike and Molly.

I can’t stop laughing watching this scene. We have all been there. When doing revisions take a step back. I know this is your baby. Take a deep breath and go over the notes you’ve written, if you have. I’m a plotter, so I have my notes close by from my outline. I refer to them while writing a lot. Sure, characters may take us somewhere different than we planned, and that is ok if it fits the story.

Get in there deep with bones of the story and make it shine. Doing the hard and deep work during revisions will make the editing process so much easier.

 

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Quiet Time In God’s Word Every Day #AtoZChallenge

Quiet Time In God’s Word Every Day

I don’t know about you but for me, if I don’t get quiet time in God’s word then I get cranky. Anyone else notice that about yourself? It may take a few days, but it always happens for me. That’s been the state I’ve been in recently. I’ve not been doing the Bible Study me and a friend are doing together. It is so easy to get just let it pass by. The kids are busy with things. Dr appts for the twins, cleaning for Passover (no, that’s no typo we keep Passover), and so many other things.

Excuses, that’s all they are. I need a swift kick in my behind to get back to it. I’ve gotten that over the last few weeks. I won’t go into details, as they’re not important. Just have to get back to it. It’s not that I don’t like the study. I do. I really love it. One of the best I’ve ever done. I’m doing A Modern Girls’ Guide To Bible Study by Jen Hatmaker.

This study has changed how I study God’s word. It has changed so much for me that it would take a lot of blog posts to share, just how. I can’t recommend this book enough. Anyways, back to what this blog post is about. It’s time for me to take back my quiet time. It can be at any time.  I know a lot of people do it in the morning. For me and the situation with the twins, it’s better that I do mine once they’re in bed at night. I tend to do short devotions during the morning.

Now to do this each and every day without fail. I’m sure at times I’ll mess up again and I’ll pick myself back up and get right back at it. You know why? Because being in God’s word is the most important thing. The more we do it, the more it will become second nature. It will become a habit. I can’t think of a better habit to have.

Who else has had trouble keeping a quiet time?

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Prayer Changes Things

Prayer Changes Things

*Repost due to a hand injury.*

Prayer. Is it something that you pull out only when needed or do you use it all the time?

This past two weeks my family including my extended family has been tested. A family member had an accident and the only way she made it through was with prayer. I believe that with every fiber of my being, because of all the injuries she sustained during the fall.

You know God doesn’t want us just to use prayer in emergencies and our time of need. He wants us to always be praying and talking to him.

Philippians 4:6 says to not be anxious about anything, but everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God.

That doesn’t mean that God is a genie and you can just get everything that you want. No, but it does mean that God cares deeply for us and he wants us to be speaking with him all the time, telling him our problems and letting him fix the situation.

Don’t let prayer be your last resort when things are going bad; let it be the first thing coming from your lips in the morning when you wake, talking all day with the Father.

How has prayer changed your life?

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Overwhelmed and Some Triggers To Look Out For Those On The Autism Spectrum #AtoZChallenge

With this being Autism Awareness month I want to talk a little about being overwhelmed. Those on the spectrum can get very overwhelmed easily. It can be something so little or something big. You just never know until it hits, which can turn into a full-blown meltdown if not addressed.

Some places and things that can cause them to get overwhelmed are:

A change to their routine.
Lights in a store.
Noises. They can be really low or loud and it can cause them sensory issues.
Too many things going on at one time.
Being in a shopping mall or store with everyone talking, lights and smells.
Smells can cause them problems as well. My middle daughter has a big sensitivity to this.
Doing too much in one day.
Asking them to do too many things at once.

These are just a few things that can overwhelm those on the spectrum. This is for sure not the big list because each and everyone is different. A good thing is to keep a list of what can cause your love one issues. This way you can do your best to help them through it. It will also help their therapist and others who are around them a lot.

It sure will save a lot of frustration.

What are some other things that can be down to help?

 

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New Release—Buried Secrets

New Release—Buried Secrets

Excerpt:

Mary pressed the call button her steering wheel. On the second ring, Jace picked up and she’d never been so happy to hear his voice before. “I believe I’m being followed.” The words tumbled out of her mouth as she continued north through the town. Her hands shook as she tried to hold the phone to her ear. She glanced in the little mirror to check on her child.

“Where are you?” A chair squeaked and it sounded like he got up and grabbed a set of keys. Doors closed and muffled voices came through the line, like he had his hand over the receiver. Faith smiled as she played with her doll, not knowing the trouble they were in. Oh, to be so innocent once again without any cares in the world.

“I’m just outside of town on the other side of the hospital about five minutes from the house.”

Another door slammed shut as he muttered a curse. “Good. I want you to keep going. Do not under any circumstances go home. Is Faith with you?”

“Yes. She’s in the back seat.”

“I’m coming for the both of you. I’ll be there as soon as I can, darling.” He didn’t hang up and she couldn’t make herself close the connection. She needed him on there to absorb some of his strength into her. He didn’t get that he did that for her, but he did. He made her feel like she could take on any situation and all would work out in the end.

Mary stopped at the stoplight and blew out a breath of frustration. She loosened her hands and relaxed for a fraction of a second, until a popping sound made her jerk upright. She cursed and turned to look behind her. The man pointed a gun out the window and fired again. Her heart began to beat harder and felt like it might come out of her chest.

“Mary. Was that a gunshot?” Jace growled into the phone. His voice sounded like he’d swallowed gravel or had tasted something bitter and it didn’t sit well with him.

“Y-Yes.”

“Get out of there now.”

“I can’t. The light is red.” She looked left and right for a place to turn around in and head back the direction she’d come. Nothing. That’s what she got for living in the mountains with no turnaround areas or a driveway to use. She needed to get out of there and to a safe place before this man murdered her and her toddler.

“I don’t care…run it if no cars are coming.” Jace swore under his breath again as he revved the engine.

 

Blurb

A message from her dead husband turns Mary Cox’s life upside down. Someone wants to kill her and her daughter, Faith. They’ll stop at nothing to track her down. The only man she trusts is her best friend’s brother Jace, except, he lied to her before. Will secrets from her past destroy the life she’s made for herself or bring them closer together and to God?

Just as Jace Smith begins to adjust to civilian life, a cry of help from the only woman he’s ever cared for sends him back into the heat of battle. The type where someone—may not come out alive in the end. Secrets are revealed and nothing will ever be the same again. He’d do anything to keep Mary and her daughter safe from the danger after them. But a secret from his past threatens everything. Can they ever get back what they once had or die trying?

Buy link: Kindle

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Marriage #AtoZChallenge

Hubby and I will celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary later this year. We love each other and fight at times. All couples do. If someone said they never fought with their husband or wife, I’d look at them like they’d lost their minds or like a third eye was coming out of their forehead. Wouldn’t that be a sight to see? I digress.

How many times do we get into a fight with God? One sided, of course because God is always right. Let me say that again because sometimes we need to make sure we hear it loud and clear. God. Is. Always. Right. There’s never been a time when he hasn’t. He tells us something to do or what to watch out for and we argue that we know better. Sure, the human knows all and what is best for us. That’s worked out so well for people in the Bible. Let’s ask Moses and all of them, how right they were as they walked around the desert for 40 years. I bet that sounds familiar if you have children. I know it does for me. Aren’t you glad that God loves us more than anything in this world? Even when we mess up, argue, and don’t want to talk to Him, He’s still right there waiting for us.

I bet that sounds familiar if you have children. I know it does for me. Even more so with teens. They’re a funny bunch.  If you have children on the spectrum, oh my goodness, they can argue for hours on end about stuff.

Aren’t you glad that God loves us more than anything in this world? Even when we mess up, argue, and don’t want to talk to Him, He’s still right there waiting for us.

His arms are open wide for us to fall back into. What would happen if we expressed some of this grace with our spouses when we don’t agree? Would it change the situation and maybe even defuse what’s the matter? God is always there for us…no matter what. Next time you have a disagreement with your husband or wife, stop and pray. It could save a lot of hurtful words and help more than you think it will.

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Love, God, Abuse and Fifty Shades #AtoZChallenge

Love, God, Abuse and Fifty Shades

The other day I joined a group that does a Bible journaling challenge. This week’s is Perfect Love. There are so many out there looking for that perfect love but are getting caught up in things they shouldn’t. My heart aches to reach out to them and tell them, or at times shake them and go ‘why are you putting up with this?’

I don’t know what happened to my generation when it comes to love, but they seem to have it all wrong. Being hurt by the man you love is okay now. What? Since when? I don’t get it, I really don’t. Of course. no man is going to be perfect. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

The only perfect man is God. This next part is for single girls and teens. Girlfriends, you need to stop chasing men. Stop it. It doesn’t end well, ever. Get so close to God that they have to seek Him before even getting close to you. If you’re not a believer, now is no better time to repent and give your life to God.

Your self-worth isn’t measured by how sexy you try to dress or the man you’re with. I’ll say it again…stop it. God’s love is the only perfect love. We’re only perfected in love when we get saved.

Love, God, Abuse and Fifty Shades

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishments and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1st John 4:18.

I fear with the movie Fifty Shades that women are getting the wrong idea of love and men once again. There’s a meme going around on Facebook that says, it is only romantic because he’s a billionaire. If he was living in a trailer it would be an episode of Criminal Minds. This is so true. I’ve written two other posts about Fifty Shades, which you can read here…Fifty Shades of Not and Godly Submission Not Fifty Shades.

 

 

I want to give a challenge to those of us who are seasoned in the Lord to take some of the younger ladies in our churches under our wings and mentor them. Show them with scripture on what we should be looking for in a man. What it means to have a deep relationship with our Father. Girlfriends, we’re princesses and are the apple of our Father’s eye, so why settle? He wants the best for us.

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Kites, Kites, Kites

For today, I’m going to share when my kiddos went to the park to fly kites. There won’t be much text to this post, mostly pictures. So, onto it.

 

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