NOTE: On Friday, I issued a challenge in which I asked you to wear a cross around your neck each day in December and represent to the world what the hands and feet of Christ resemble. Please let me know if 1) you are accepting this challenge and 2) if you are under economic hardship and need a cross to wear. My email address is ncsnapp@gmail.com.
It’s official. On Wednesday, it will be a year since I began this little project called “Mommy on Fire”.
In September of 2009, I sat in a writing break-out of the MOPS Convention in Nashville, TN and began to pray as I waited for the session to begin.
I asked God to show me, as I sat and listened about how to write for God, what He wanted me to do with it.
He did.
By the time I exited the session, I had already searched for the domain availability of “Mommy on Fire.”
It was open. I bought.
And here we are.
My brain hurts from all I have learned during this past year. I won’t drone on about these valuable lessons but I will say this: I’m blessed beyond my wildest dreams through the people I have met through this blog.
You people who care to read the words God places in my heart? I adore you. You move me. You force me to think and grow and I love you for that.
I’m a little more lighthearted today because later this week is December 8 and it always tends to be somewhat of a melancholic day for me. I will be re-posting my first ever post tomorrow and you will understand why this is so.
But today? We are doing our first-ever giveaway to celebrate the birth of “Mommy on Fire”, yes, but most importantly, to celebrate the birth of a Savior born over 2,000 years ago.
Have I ever mentioned that Dayspring is absolutely my most favorite place to purchase gifts? In fact, I just ordered our Christmas cards from them and when they arrive, I’ll virtually give one to you.
While attending Relevant 2010, we were offered a chance to review a few products to try out and review in exchange for a $20 Dayspring gift certificate for one lucky reader.
I received the “Jesus is the Gift” platter and I have to say, it’s stunningly beautiful. I decided it was too stunningly beautiful to tuck away and use only for entertaining, so it became a Christmas decoration and it’s now my favorite:
Here’s a closer view:
So you can win a $20 gift certificate to Dayspring (you will pay for shipping and handling but if your order is over $50, it’s free!) by:
Leaving a comment and telling me what you love the most about our Jesus. That’s it.
I will use the Random Selector ON FRIDAY (so you have all week!) to pick our winner so no worries – you will not be selected based on the quality of your answer. Whew.
Follow me if you want to follow me. You can do so through RSS Feed at the top of the page or via E-mail found in the sidebar. Please do not follow my blog if you don’t like it. I will not make you do that to be a winner – I want you to follow because you DESIRE to follow, not because you wanted to win something.
Follow me on Twitter if you want to follow me on Twitter. You can do so by clicking on “Join the Conversation” in the sidebar. I admit that I’m still a Twitter newbie and not on it a TON but I do Twitter at least once a day (except weekends when I lay all social media down.)
Lastly, say a prayer to our God and thank Him for the abundant blessings He has given you and ask Him to reveal how He will use you this upcoming year.
Other Dayspring products I love:
This stretched canvas print that hangs above the Snapp children’s coat hooks. The verse on the pot is Psalm 121:8: “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore”.
This clay cross necklace? LOVE. IT.
Their jewelry is wonderful. Their gifts are amazing. Their message is the very best part of all. Good luck to you!
Holy cow. This post is already too long so I will only include five…On this Multitude Monday, my list of 1,000 things continues…I am so thankful for:
216. Playing in the four inches of snow we received on Saturday and snapping photos like this:
217. Our first full-sized snowman (Susannah was at a birthday party):
218. A quiet night at home with Ham and Bean Soup (Hoosier girl through and through)
219. A glowing fire in the fireplace
220. A day of happy memories made
May your week be blessed with health and faith, which is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. May you choose to see Him.
That was a beautiful snow, wasn’t it? We didn’t get quite enough to make snowmen, but the kids had a blast playing outside, and I loved the sight of the snow falling while we were warm inside, decorating our Christmas tree.
That platter is gorgeous! I love Dayspring, too!
Hmm, what I love most about Jesus? His kind and forgiving heart coupled with an amazing strength that I try my best to model myself after.
I can’t believe you’ve only been posting for one year…seems that I’ve known you longer than that!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..How many shopping days =-.
I am so glad that I “stumbled” across your blog on Facebook, but sorry that I just found it not too long ago..and not a year ago.
What I love about Jesus is that He came here for us and is always there for me, whenever I need someone. I sometimes just imagine that He is giving me a big hug when I need it the most.
I too will be wearing a cross everyday…actually I already wear a little one, but I will wear one that will be more visible so that everyone can see it!!
i love Jesus and His promises.
HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY! what an awesome revelation from the Lord. bless YOU!
.-= Eryn {mamahall}´s last blog ..overflow =-.
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you! One year? How exciting!
I missed your challenge of wearing a cross each day in December, but I love the idea so on the snowy day we are having here, I will organize my tiny jewelry box, and I will dig out one of my crosses…why don’t I wear them more?
Love the stretched canvas painting!
.-= Amy Sullivan´s last blog ..So Tell Us Jen- Hows That Chart Going =-.
I’m a huge Dayspring fan, too. In fact, I’m waiting on a box right now – I am so excited! :)
I love Jesus because He never gets tired of me. Even when I’m coming back with the same issues over and over, He is still ready to embrace me and lay down His life for me.
Happy, Happy Blog Birthday to YOU! I am so glad we met through this world of blogging :) You bless me my friend.
What beautiful things you have around your home!
.-= Christy´s last blog ..The Candy Shop – Watch It Now and Vote! =-.
Happy Birthday to you!
We had such a great time in that snowfall too! Although, we didn’t get quite as much, but it’s beautiful just the same.
What do I love most about Jesus? Wow, how to pick? I love how awesome He is — He creates awesomely, loves awesomely, extends grace awesomely. Everything He is and does is beyond comprehension.
It is hard for me to put down in words what I most love about Jesus because I grew up as a Catholic and we just don’t talk about such things openly. But over the past 7 years that I have become a follower, I have learned (sometimes grudgingly) to open up about Him and try to weave Him into “normal” conversations.
So one of the things I love most about Jesus is that He is always forgiving and willing to give me a second (or more) chance to do what He wants me to do. I am still working on listening to what He wants me to do and transferring my own selfish needs for His. 33 years of old habits have been hard to break over the last 7 years…
I am also most thankful for His grace and comfort. I have always known intellectually that He is ever-present, but in no time in my life was it more apparent than when my son Richard was in the NICU for 8-1/2 weeks. I felt His presence every day carrying me through the stress and emotional roller coaster of Richard’s highs and lows and ultimately, his return to Heaven. I could not have made it through that time without Him, and I am ever grateful for His love.
I am so glad that I have met you and that I can turn to your blog for daily inspiration. Thanks for reminding me to keep connected during this hectic “retail” season so I can remember the real reason for the season. :)
— Casey :)
What do I love about Jesus…sheesh Natlie, nothing like breaking out the easy questions on your blogging b-day (happy bday by the by)…um…I love that He is faithful in his pursuit of us…that He brings us to the end of ourselves to show us that it’s all about glorifying HIM.
I’m officially up for your cross challenge now that I got my Chinese Jade cross from my Loverbrains!
Love ya!
.-= Bobbi´s last blog ..MM- Christmas Anniversary RomancePeace Challenge Style =-.
What I love most is described in II Corinthian 8:9 [with my sidenotes, of course] –
By the grace [unmerited, spontaneous expression of love] of our Lord Jesus Christ,
even though he was rich [really, really rich. he owned it all. he made it all!],
yet for MY sake he became poor [left all the glory of Heaven and became man]
so that I through his poverty might become rich.
He gave it all away. He sought me out, gathered me up, and brought me back to the fold so I could live this abundant life. [You want to talk the ULTIMATE Christmas gift?!? Try to top that, Oprah’s favorite things!]
“In tenderness He sought me, Weary and sick with sin,
And on His shoulders brought me into His flock again.
While angels in His presence sang, Until the courts of heaven rang.
Oh, the love that sought me! Oh, the blood that bought me!
Oh, the grace that brought me to the flock,
Wondrous grace that brought me to the flock!”
i don’t know how i missed the post with the cross challenge, but i will most definitely be participating. i usually wear my cross necklace pretty regularly….but now it’ll be daily :)
and what do i love most about my Jesus? that He loved me enough to die on the cross for MY sins. and that He continues to forgive me…on this day and every day. that He is my saving grace.
p.s. i love that cross necklace and the platter is beautiful!!
.-= alison´s last blog ..like herding cats =-.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY ON FIRE! How exciting is that?
What I love most about Jesus? I think that answer changes depending on what I am going through at the time and what He is teaching me. I just love Him…period. I love how He seeks after me, even when I don’t seek Him. I love how He forgives me, over and over again. I love how He teaches me in His gentle loving ways. I love how He molds me in His sovereignty…during good times and bad times. I love that He never leaves me or forsakes me…ever. I love that He is just and I can trust Him to take care of things when I am wronged. I love that He loves everyone…EVERYONE…no matter who they are or what they have done…that He loves everyone on this earth enough to die for them. I love that He cries when I cry and that He rejoices when I rejoice. I love that He is firm with me when I need it. I love that He holds me, close to His heart…always. I love that He encourages me and uses me when I don’t feel like I am able to be used. I love that He suffered…tremendous agony and pain…for me. Amazing Jesus! Praise be His glorious name!
oh dear ‘mommy on fire’…you rock! i love hearing some of the ‘back story’ since i am a new (but fast) friend…how awesome that God drew you to this and you OBEYED…
my story is similar…but a little less definite and a little more stumbling to get going…
most about JESUS??!! Oh, I cannot pick…it. all. is. amazing. ever. wonderful. new. every. morning. grace. sufficient. come. to. me. weary. one. yoke is easy. burden light. take up your cross and FOLLOW ME. fix eyes on me. author and finisher. alpha and omega. the ONE who takes up our infirmities. carries our sorrows. tempted and tried YET without sin. BEARS. OUR. GRIEF. SHAME. GUILT. BROKEN, SIN-FILLED, DISEASE. AND MAKES ALL THINGS NEW and on and on…thanks ‘Mommy on Fire’ this Mommy needed to write all these and keep spilling them out in thanks before Him.
Hugs to you! because you are just so special:):):) mama abby fanning the flame
.-= Abby´s last blog ..In Sickness and In Health =-.
Hi Natalie, it is so good to keep up with you through your blog and Facebook. What I love about Jesus. Well there are too many to list. But I love that he loves me, unconditionally. Sometimes that is hard to believe, but he does.
Congrats on your one year anniversary. Miss everyone in W. Lafayette. Hope you all are doing well. Merry Christmas
Happy Birthday to Mommy On Fire! I’m so glad you chose to share your journey with us. You are HILARIOUS and I love that you are so open and honest. I look forward to each post and just know you have helped me in so many ways!
And what do I love most about Jesus? His unconditional love. :)
Wow Natalie, I can’t believe it’s been a year since you started this little baby. I love it and you and love listening to your words. Thank you for sharing your life, humor, and wisdom with us!
What do I love most about Jesus? I’ve been thinking of this since Monday when you posted and this question comes at a good time for me. I have been struggling with some issues and questioning some things that don’t make much sense to me. However, the resounding answer that comes to my mind is that I love Jesus because he allows me to question things. He can handle that! I can be mad at circumstances and not understand why he choose this particular path, but he can handle that too. I can be honest in my hurt and disappointment because he can handle that. In the end, I may not understand the reasoning or see the big picture, but I know God wants GOOD and is greiving with me right now. I know I serve a God who adores me and loves and accepts me, with all my flaws. The thing I love the most about Jesus is that HE LOVES ME BECAUSE HE LOVES ME!!!!
Congrats on your one year anniversary, Natalie. I’ve been thinking about what I would pick as my “one thing that I love most” since you posted your entry. It’s really hard to narrow it to one thing, but it struck me yesterday when the following verse came to mind . . . John 14:27 — Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Thanks for sharing your writing.
Jesus most important goal is for me to be like him. So we have the Holy Spirit to fill us so that we have the ability to act like Jesus (Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.) All things work together for our good to make us more Christ-like.
I really listened to JJ Heller song “What Love Really Means”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgGUKWiw7Wk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sometimes we have to get to a place where we will really listen, really trust, really believe… And then we get a glimpse of how we are loved
Last Stanza
“I have watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you’ll listen, I’ll tell you that I…”
I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew
I love that Jesus is always taking care of me when I am going around like I have a blindfold, earplugs and I’m in a bag. He is always my help. Even when I am trying not to be helped.
.-= Ordinary Em´s last blog ..Pray- Love- Eat =-.
I have a special cross necklace I wear with a small gold cross and chain along with a tiny set of gold baby shoes representing the Nicu babies struggling to make it. Our first grand daughter was 2pds 11 oz and she was the best MIRACLE we ever received.
Okay, Natalie…I can’t resist the chance to win a $20 coupon to Dayspring! :) Plus, an opportunity to share what I love most about Jesus…why wouldn’t I respond? And, of course, I must congratulate you on your One Year Anniversary! Wow! I remember you coming back from convention sharing the advice you were given, that blogging was where it was at, if you desired a “career” in writing. You have done well, my friend. I love your writing, I love your heart, I love how God is at work in your life…and I love you!
So…enough about you (hee hee). What do I love most about Jesus. I love that He meets each of us where we are at. He knows us all intimately, and loves us unconditionally. He even sees the worst parts of us…and still loves us! And even sees something special in us…each and every one of us is special to him (because each and every one of us was fearfully and wonderfully made). That truly is mind-boggling to me. As I look around at everyone I know, everyone around me…and the entire world of people. Jesus Christ knows us all, he loves us, and he died for us. Absolutely amazing. To make it more personal. I love him because he loves me…and he thinks I’m special. He gives my life meaning and purpose. He leads me and guides me, lovingly. He is always with me.
Okay…I could keep going, but I’ll stop.
Love to you, my friend.
Thanks so much for your words, Natalie =)
For me, I love that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross shows a God who is righteous and just to punish evil (knowing nothing bad or sickening or hurtful will go unanswered) but who also loves us so much that He could not let us go and devised this infinitely precious and difficult sacrifice to reconcile us to His Son. I love that no one is too bad to come to the cross, that we can come just as we are and He will accept us.
.-= Krystle C.´s last blog ..Great Christmas gift ideas at JCPenney =-.