If Mama Ain't...

Because God Cares About Birds and Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Syndicated from The MamaZoneThis is our new tree.

It’s in our new back yard.

It’s the back yard we’ve been believing for since 2007, the year we lost it all.

Of course, we didn’t really lose it ALL. We walked away with our lives, our kids and our faith, but like so many American families, we suffered considerable financial loss. It was a devastating transition that, at the time, seemed insurmountable.

But, we made it. Just five years later, we’ve regained our footing and we’re picking up where we left off. We’ve seen God’s hand in it all and we can testify that He is indeed faithful. The reality that He cares about the “birds of the air” and the “lilies of the field” has been a constant reminder of just how capable He is of taking care of us. There have been some bumps in the road and some difficult moments, but here we are again, with a tree and a yard and a home that belongs to us.

Now, you’ll notice in the pictures that our tree and our yard are struggling just a bit. Thanks to extreme heat and minimal rain, our brand new foliage has taken a hit. I see it as a wonderful opportunity to watch God do what He does so well. We’ve prayed for our little tree (and our neighbors’ trees) and I know He’ll make it all beautiful (again) in its time.

It’s the perfect picture of how we were once doing so well, experienced some loss and saw God’s power to restore. Like our little tree, we have some new leaves emerging. I’m convinced it will flourish once again, just as we have.

Don’t you just love our little bird house and watering can? You can find them both at DaySpring in their Redeemed Outdoor Collection. Shop before July 31st and save 25% with the code JOY2012.

If Mama Ain't Winning 6/20

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:13:00 +0000

Running a giveaway? Please feel free to list it here. Simply type in the prize and end date in the first box and post your URL in the second.

Go ahead and leave a comment after you link, and if you know of other great places to list giveaways, be sure to list them. Thanks for stopping by, and since you're here, why not follow my blog? (leave a comment telling me you did, and I'll follow back). Come back for more next week and please help me grow this list by telling a blogger friend about it. Thanks for joining me on this journey!

The Word of The Week

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:07:00 +0000

Hey mamas! I've created a new weekly hangout over at The MamaZone and just had to share it over here as well. I thought it would be great to share a word or two that’s keeping us motivated as we face each Monday. Just one or two words (or a verse) that's helping us get things started.

You don’t need to be a blogger or have a blog post! Just stop by, add your word to the list, read a few and leave motivated.

To participate, click on “Click here to enter.” When the screen below comes up, enter your word(s). A link is required, so enter this one http://www.themamazone.com/2012/06/word-of-week-add-yours.html if you don't have a link or enter a link to your twitter page or somewhere else, unless you have a blog post you’d like to link to.

My word for the week to share with you over here is actually an entire passage--one of my favorite Bible passages to be exact! It's Luke 1:26-55 (yep, a post is brewing on that one!).

How about you, what word is motivating you this week? I can’t wait to read yours. List ‘em below! And, if you do have a blog, fill free to add the linky to your site!

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If Mama Ain't Winning 6/13

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:51:00 +0000

If Mama Ain’t Marvelous

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:24:00 +0000

A Little Mirror-Motivation

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.." Psalm 139:14 NKJV

This month, I’m being inspired by Psalm 139:14. We recently covered our favorite verses over at Daily Fast Fuel and this was the verse I knew I had to share. You’ll have to visit to find out why (and I sure hope you will). In the meantime, celebrate the fact that you were intricately and purposefully designed by a Master Craftsman. Meditate on that while you’re in front of the mirror this month.

Feel free to print the image above and place it on your mirror. It's on mine!

Why "Mirror Motivation"? A mama's mirror is a powerful thing. We spend so much time there getting ourselves together, taking a closer look and allowing ourselves to see things as they really are. What better place is there to train ourselves for real and righteous living? Check back here each month for a new memory verse you can tape on your mirror (or write with a dry erase marker). See you again next month.

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If Mama Ain't Winning 6/5

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 03:03:00 +0000

A DaySpring Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:10:00 +0000

Just a quick heads up that DaySpring has some wonderful sales going on this month, including $20 off this neat wall plaque. Grab it for $24.99 before the month ends.

Bless this Home- $20 off!

Abide in Him- $20 off!

I'm a DaySpring affiliate and appreciate you shopping through my links!

If Mama Ain't Winning 5/16

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:31:00 +0000

If Mama Ain't Celebrated

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Sun, 13 May 2012 03:33:00 +0000

A Little Mirror-Motivation

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her...Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:28, 31 NKJV

Happy Mother's Day, mamas! I hope your day is as special as you expect and I hope you realize just how special you are. This month, the Lord has been reminding me that the work I do as a mom is important and worth celebrating. I'm sharing that reminder with you and praying that you know just how awesome you are!

Feel free to use the image above on your mirror. It's on mine!

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If Mama Ain't Winning 5/9

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:18:00 +0000

If Mama Ain't Winning 5/2

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:21:00 +0000

If Mama Ain't Making It A Home (WIN!)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Make It A Home Blog Hop & Treasure Hunt, which I'm hosting at The MamaZone. We hope you’re ready to win some great prizes and cash to help you make your house a home!

This giveaway hop is a little different than most because it has the added element of a treasure hunt! Here’s how it works:

Visit each participating blog and check out their giveaways.
Look for the mailbox on each blog. If it contains a three digit code, make a note of it.
Once you collect all 5 randomly hidden codes, enter here to win the Grand Prize of $100 and a Mint Floor Cleaner.
If you enter every giveaway, you’ll earn 10 extra entries into the Grand Prize drawing.

The hop and hunt will run May 1st-May 14th and the Grand Prize winner will be announced on the 15th. Ready to win? Here’s what I’m giving away:

The Blessed Candlestick from Blessings Unlimited has a vintage distressed finish and Psalm 89:15 embossed on the base: "Blessed are those who walk in the light of Your presence." It retails for $39.99 and it's a perfect addition to your home decor. I'm thrilled to be offering it to one of my readers. To win, simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Now, visit the other great blogs below!

If Mama Ain't Winning 4/25

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:15:00 +0000

Don't forget, I'm recruiting bloggers for the Make It A Home Hop & Hunt. Find the details here.

If Mama Ain't Recycled

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 03:28:00 +0000

Happy Earth Day! I hope you find yourself recycling all you can, planting trees everywhere and doing your part to help the environment. More importantly though, I hope you have discovered the joy of knowing the Master Recycler. He specializes in repurposing lives and sets the standard for making use of what others might toss away.

I’m one mama who loves that He recycles broken lives. He takes pleasure in making all things new, and my life is a reflection of that truth. My prayer is that you’re experiencing His willingness to renew, restore and repair (His 3 R’s). This recycled, new life with Him is a more than amazing journey, and I’m so glad you’re on it with me.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5

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If Mama Ain't Winning 4/18

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:23:00 +0000

Don't forget, I'm recruiting bloggers for the Make It A Home Hop & Hunt. Find the details here.

If Mama Ain't Winning 4/4

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:11:00 +0000

Don't forget, I'm recruiting bloggers for the Make It A Home Hop & Hunt. Find the details here.

If Mama Ain't Sober

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:02:00 +0000

A Little Mirror-Motivation

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

This month, I want you to be sure you are awake and aware. I don't want you to forget that we have a very real enemy, and he is always on the prowl, looking for a way to sneak in and take us down. Keep your eyes open and remember the safest place to be is in the Lord's presence. I'm meditating on 1 Peter 5:8 as a reminder. I hope you'll join me.

Feel free to use the image above on your mirror. It's on mine!

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If Mama Ain’t Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:43:00 +0000

You are a cool kid.

I know you're a cool kid because Jesus wants to be your friend. In fact, if you call Him Savior, He calls you friend. That gives new meaning to having friends in high places--whatever you need, wherever you need to be, He can make it happen.

And, He wants to make it happen.

He wants to be there for you, to bless you, to know you and be known by you. Yep, the very God of all heaven and earth wants Y.O.U. He wants to be with you, to live with you, to walk with you, and His desire for a relationship with you was worth His son's very life. Can you wrap your brain around the idea that He wants to be close to you—that He doesn't just want your service, but your friendship as well?

I know it’s not easy to grasp how a perfect God could want to be friends with such imperfect people. Just chalk it up as one more mystery of Scripture that we’ll have to have Him explain when we see Him. For now, make that one more thing you accept by faith. I’m one mama who needs His friendship more than any other, and the Father and I would love to have you on this journey.

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 NKJV

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a $50 DaySpring gift code!

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If Mama Ain't Amazing

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 02:48:00 +0000

You're already amazing.

How does that strike you? Is it something you can actually consider worth believing or does it sound like I'm just patronizing you? I'm certain many of you would find it easier to accept the notion that you could be amazing or will be amazing one day. You might see those as more reasonable assertions, but the idea of being already amazing seems a bit too hard to accept.

I get it, and if that last statement describes you, you are the exact mamas I'm most eager to have with me as I journey through Holley Gerth's new book, You're Already Amazing. My prayer is that you will give it a read and discover just how amazing you are. Read on to hear my thoughts on the book and join me and the (in)courage community in reading it together.

My thoughts:

I mentioned in a previous post that Holley's message in this book needs to go viral. Women need to be reminded that perfection is an unnecessary pursuit, but accepting ourselves and celebrating who God made us is essential and absolutely okay. Holley emphasizes that we are amazing, not because of what we do, but because of the One living in us. We might not feel amazing or think we've done amazing things, but we ought to battle to believe that we're amazing and embrace who God sovereignly designed us to be.

I'll tell you up front that this book is not an easy read. It's eleven chunky chapters of real work, requiring prayer and a commitment to push through some pain. As I explored each chapter, I could hear the Lord whispering to me about areas I needed to address but have been trying to ignore. Holley points out a number of questions we need to ask ourselves and guides us gently (like a great girlfriend) toward accepting and walking in our amazing-ness.

It's one of those books that I know I have to share with friends and it will probably end up as a small group study in my home. In the meantime, as I mentioned, I'll be walking through each chapter online with the Bloom bookclub at (in)courage. You can purchase You're Already Amazing from DaySpring for just $9 and save 25% off the Holley Gerth Collection there with code HOLLEYG25. And, if you haven't already entered, don't miss the chance to win a $50 gift code to DaySpring on either of my blogs. Join me in the journey toward believing we're already amazing. You'll be so thrilled you did!

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If Mama Ain't Winning 3/28

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:34:00 +0000

Don't forget, I'm recruiting bloggers for the Make It A Home Hop & Hunt. Find the details here.

If Mama Ain't Perfectly Loved (WIN)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:07:00 +0000

I’m reading a challenging new book by Holley Gerth called, You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be. As I’ve read, I’ve been confronted by some of the lies I’ve believed about myself and encouraged by the truth that God loves me deeply and always has. I’m enjoying a few reminders of that love with the Perfectly Loved Mug and 6” Loved Block. Both products are a part of a new collection from DaySpring that echoes Holley’s message that God does have big plans for you, you’re perfectly loved, and you truly are amazing.

And, isn’t that a message we need to hear? How often do we fall into the trap of believing that we don’t matter, we need to do more, we need to be more and we’re just not enough? I’m so happy Holley has taken on the mission of reminding women that in Him, we are all we need to be and He is all we need. I definitely need the constant reminder that “I’m loved by God, just as I am” and I don’t “need to be perfect because I’m perfectly loved.”

It’s a message we need to take viral, ladies! I’d like to help you make that happen by offering you a $50 DaySpring gift code. You can use it as you wish, but I totally hope you’ll pick up Holley’s book or something else from this collection.

To win, simply follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form below. I’ve posted the giveaway on both blogs—it’s the same giveaway form so you only need to enter on one. If you don’t want to wait, you can save 25% off Holley Gerth Collection with code HOLLEYG25 right now at DaySpring. The code is valid until April 1st and the giveaway will end Thursday, April 5th at 11:59 p.m., Eastern.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received the products mentioned from DaySpring to facilitate this review. I was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

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If Mama Ain't Winning 3/22

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:24:00 +0000

Don't forget, I'm recruiting bloggers for the Make It A Home Hop & Hunt. Find the details here.

If Mama Ain't Winning 3/14

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Before we start linking up, I wanted to personally invite you to join me for my "Make it a Home" blog hop and treasure hunt. Find the details here.

If Mama Ain’t Returning

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:53:00 +0000

Let me preface this post by saying that it’s not for you if you’ve never known the feeling of turning away from God. If you’ve never had a season of ignoring His voice or avoiding His presence, you’ll want to pass this post up and wait for the next.

If, however, you know what it’s like to go days without praying or months without reading your Bible, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll find that you are not alone in your occasional “breaks” from the presence of the Lord and you’ll also find that those “breaks” have not broken down the Lord’s commitment to you.

He’s still there. Of course, you know that because you can still recognize His hand on your life. You know you’re still protected. You know He’s still blessing. You know He’s still in love with you. You know His grace is still sufficient.

You also know that although all of that is true, you’ve been missing out. You’ve been missing out on His intimacy, His fresh manna, His comforting whisper—not because He’s changed, but because you’ve neglected to draw near.

Yet, there’s good news. If you simply return and give back to Him the time that you’ve given to lesser things, He will meet you there. He longs to be with you, to fellowship with you, and He’ll welcome you back with open arms every single time.

He waits patiently for you to recall what it feels like to be with Him. In fact, why not take a moment to close your eyes and do that right now. Let your past experiences lead you back to the place where He alone satisfied the longings of your heart, because if mama ain’t returning, I gotta tell you, mama will soon regret it.

So, join me on this journey—this journey out of the busy-ness of life back to the heart of the Father; out of the selfishness of the flesh and back to the arms of the One who keeps you going. I’m one mama who cannot afford to keep letting life get in the way of living with Him. If you’re with me, why are you still here? Go be with Him and come back later to tell me all about it.

“For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.”

Jeremiah 29:10-14

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If Mama Ain't Winning 3/7

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:11:00 +0000