Encouraging Sunday

Full house for church on Sunday

Sunday's service was encouraging on a few different fronts. Firstly, baby dedications are always a joy to experience. Seeing the mother and the father encourage and instruct their child from Scripture at such a young age is very special. This week in particular was especially cool because of the amount of visitors we had who came for the dedication. I was also blessed to lead worship for everyone as well!  Some were Christians and some were probably not and I was very thankful that the Gospel was clearly communicated and that God's Word does not return void. Please be in prayer that God would move in the city of Glasgow and that He would use us to bring people to His name and to fellowship in the local church to continue their growth in Christ.

Worship was also a great time of lifting high the name of Jesus. Even though most of the people didn't know one of the songs we sang, I was and still am encouraged by the lyrics of the song and praying that people come to a more full understanding of what it means to follow Christ. The song is called "I will follow" and it is off the new Vertical Church Band album! The song talks about following Jesus no matter what are circumstances are. That our circumstances should not dictate our affection for Jesus or our resolve to follow Him on a daily basis. Even if we are in a good season in our life we can tend to derail, thinking that we have everything figured out and in effect putting Jesus in a box.

C.S. Lewis said that if Christianity is true it is of utmost importance. If false, it is of no importance. The one thing we can be sure of, however, is that it can never be of moderate importance.

The question that keeps coming back into my mind as we are going through this series in Acts is, how important is living for and preaching Christ on a daily basis in my life? Maybe you need to answer the same question in your own life. Is Christ only of moderate importance, and how you will know will be found in your priorities!

YOU ARE LOVED!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

After the week I just had I feel like this needs to be my go to verse for awhile. This past week has definitely been a struggle for me and too often I found myself frustrated instead of looking to God, being thankful, and rejoicing in my circumstances. 

The week started off with a super unhelpful doctor's visit. Roman's 6 week check up. Many of you know from reading previous blogs that we have had quite the ride so far with Roman. Many sleepless nights with a very unsettled baby. I found myself asking the doctor and health visitor several questions, but not getting any answers. 

Then my computer crashed. The hard drive on my 7 month old MAC crashed.

Then we had a wedding on Saturday which Roman decided to scream through so I missed most of it.

That night continued down this path with Roman screaming from 2:30-5:30 in the morning and mom and dad getting about 2 hours of sleep from 6-8am.*Side note Roman has been waking up at 2:30 in the morning most nights screaming in pain. So for our friends in the states if you think about it at 8:30pm your time say a prayer for Roman and for Ben and I to have patience and strength to comfort him.

To top it all off Monday night we got on the wrong train and spent an hour both ways traveling to Kilwinning. Of course we would get on the train that's first stop is 30 minutes away.

Tuesday night I was finally going to be able to go to small group again, but Roman had is vaccinations and was frantic up until the point I had to leave.

So this blog may sound like just a lot of complaining, but what I wanted to highlight was that after this week of unfortunate events, God never once turned his back on me. Yea the week was hard, emotionally difficult more than anything, BUT God did not leave us. After this week we have had an outpouring of support from our Harvest Glasgow family from offers to watch Roman, to meals, and gift certificates for date nights. With all this said-God hears us when we cry out to him and has compassion on us according to his steadfast love. Through all the struggle we can have joy and give thanks because God is refining us to be more like his son. 

 God redeemed each of these situations.Not that he had to to be worthy of my praise, but he did because that's what kind of God he is. A compassionate God who deeply cares for his children even in regards to the small things. 

My computer is still under warranty so is being fixed for free. We had a great reminder that marriage is not about us, but about reflecting Christ's love, got to see my boys all dressed up in kilts, and got some great family pictures. A friend offered to take Roman all day Sunday so Ben and I could spend some time together and catch up on some sleep. We had an extra hour and a half of relaxation on the train while Roman was quiet and content-he loves the movement of the train. And instead of going to small group Roman slept and I got to spend some quality time with a friend reading the Word and encouraging one another. So these situations may not have gone exactly as I had planned, but God blessed me through each of them and I am thankful for these hidden roses amongst the thorns.

7110 Encouragements

Although as of late there have been a slough of challenges thrown our way as a family, (some of which I will probably let Dani tell you next week) God has been so faithful to us in so many ways since we have been here in Scotland.  One of those ways is all the people who have graciously given of their time talents and treasures to help us be here.  One specific way in all of that where I have been extremely blessed and encouraged is to look at our blog statistics and see how many people are actually reading our blogs. Sometimes blogs can feel mundane, you don't know what to write about all the time, and sometimes just don't want to do it. However, knowing that people who have supported us from the beginning who are still praying for, and interested in our journey are tracking with our blog is amazing! It really confirms on all fronts that we are not meant to do this Christian life alone and that all of us should either be involved in the going or the sending!

35 weeks with 7110 page views on our blog. We are so thankful for everyone who has taken their time to show care, concern, and a real interest in what we are doing for the Lord here in Scotland. Always feel free to comment on our blogs and let us know what you think, and if that's not an option we'd love to hear from you via email as well.

daniarant@gmail.com
benarant@gmail.com

*cool side notes*
- Dani and I took Roman to his first basketball game this past week! Starting him early of course.
- I've been invited to practice with the best amateur basketball team in Scotland for a potential spot on the team!

At Romans first basketball game

getting ready for my first practice

YOU ARE LOVED!

Smiles

This little cutie has not only stolen my heart, but also all my time,  energy, and sleep this week. So instead of writing a blog you can enjoy this beauty!!

So Much More

When I think back through the years I have been a Christian and all the years spent going to church, I'm always struck by how mundane church use to feel. How I would either just go because my parents did, or go because it was the "right" thing to do. I definitely spent a lot of my life going through the motions as it were. And the thing about it was, I only had myself to blame. I never really took seriously, or really thought about the implications of the Gospel and what the local church really meant and stood for.

I think throughout my time at University God was chiseling away at my heart and showing me that in Him there was so much more! Through some God ordained friends I really started to see that how I was living was selfish and prideful. I grew a lot while I was at University, but still really didn't have a real clue about what church was suppose to look like.

After Dani and I had been married a while and living in La Crosse, God started to stir in both our hearts. He was giving us the same message, which was really cool! He was telling us that there was more, so much more that He had in store for us. We didn't have a clue what that meant, but we knew something had to change!

Then God connected us with Steve Deedrick who was planting a church in my hometown, Rochester. At first we were hesitant about everything, but once we sat down and heard the vision for Harvest Bible Chapel, Rochester, we knew this was God's doing and God's door! We took a step of faith and walked through that door, and let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions we ever made as a married couple. God began a work in my heart, giving me a passion for the local church and the lost in the city of Rochester. God was revealing Himself in new, fresh ways and I was growing more than ever before in my walk with the Lord.

"This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes." Psalm 118:23

God has continued to grow us up in the faith and we are now half way across the world serving at another Harvest Bible Chapel in Glasgow, Scotland. I never thought I would be in the place that I am in life right now.  It is absolutely crazy to see God at work in my life and in the lives of those around me.

This blog not only serves as a reflection, but also a challenge. First off, God loves you. He knows you better than you even know yourself.  In his grace and mercy He sent His son to pay the penalty for our sins! He has made a way for us to be part His family again, and anyone has the opportunity to accept this gift. Today could be your day!

Second challenge. Do you care as much about the local church as God does?  Are you devoting yourself to serving the Lord in the local church? Are you making disciples? I guarantee you that you will grow more than ever before if you devote yourself to making disciples in every area of your life, but specifically through the God ordained local church.

YOU ARE LOVED!

A video of encouragement

Great Expectations

Before having Roman I had a lot of expectations of what being a parent would be like. I read books and blogs and articles on how to get baby on a routine and how often to feed babies. I knew having a new born would be hard and there would be sleepless nights and my time would no longer be my own. With all of this knowledge I thought things would be much easier than they actually are.

The first week home from the hospital really was quite a blur. I honestly can't remember much about it other than being so filled with joy that our baby was finally here. With that joy you basically do whatever you need to do to take care of your baby even if it means staying up all night. I think God sustains you as well, and gives you strength you didn't know you could ever have.

However after a month in I'm realizing how difficult life can be with a baby. With the bombardment of information I feel overwhelmed because my baby doesn't fit the mold. My baby doesn't take 3-5 naps a day (I'm lucky if he will take one good nap). My baby cries, a lot (which may be an understatement). I can't handle listening to my peanut cry and cry it out just isn't going to work at our house. I don't have family I can call to come over and relieve me for a few hours, and my baby won't take a bottle which makes it even harder for me to get a break.


For example yesterday Roman woke up at 6:30 ate, cried, and then finally went down for a nap. He woke up around 9 ate and fussed some more. He cried the whole morning and wouldn't fall asleep until the afternoon where he slept on and off for no more than 30 minutes. This cry wasn't just your average cry. It was the blood curdling, lip quivering, red faced, head dripping with sweat cry that breaks my heart. The rest of the day followed suit and ended with an evening crying session lasting basically from 5-9 with breaks to feed in between. At that point I think I cried as much as he did. I cried out of frustration, not frustrated with him, but myself for not being able to settle my child. I cried out of sorrow that my baby was in pain. I cried out of exhaustion. But I also cried out to God, asking him why he had given me more than I could handle.

Roman at his finest.

He didn't answer at least not how I wanted. Roman continued to cry. But I realized God didn't give me more than I could handle, he gave me what it took for me to hand it over to God and let him carry my burden. Our God is a gracious God who loves us, wants what's best for us, and comforts us in our pain.   God also knew I needed a break so today Roman has been an angel, sleeping in his bed during his naps, eating well, and even allowing me to go for a walk with a friend.

With all that said, I don't love Roman anymore today than I did yesterday. A mother's love isn't dependent on the behavior of her child. I believe God is the same way. He doesn't love me more on my good days than on my bad ones. He loves me just the same and gives me grace in the moments when I need it most. I'm so thankful for a loving father whose love never changes, never fails, and never leaves me for a moment.

Even though life with a fussy or (colicky) baby is difficult I wouldn't change it for the world. I love being the one to comfort, love, protect, and care for Roman. This past month has been filled with joy and a love for a son that I couldn't even imagine.

Happy one month little stud!

Roman turned one month on Tuesday!

YOU ARE LOVED!

Plan, Provision, Place

I am reminded this week of God's plan. The Gospel must never get old, forgotten, or taken for granted. God sent His son to die MY death! I am also reminded this week of God's provision. Through my doubt and impatience, God has always given what was needed according to His will.  A beautiful and healthy baby boy, recovery for Dani, and the strength to continue joys and struggles of raising a child! God is good!

However, more than anything else this week I am reminded of God's place in my life. I am reminded of this because of my failure at times to practically live in such a way that puts Him on the throne of my life. The challenges of this new normal for me have definitely brought out my inadequacies in this area. At times over the past 3 weeks I have been reminded of the passage in Romans where Paul talks about doing what he doesn't want to do, even though he wants to do good.

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is the sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, bit is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." Romans 7:15-20

My deepest desire and passion is to know God and make His name known, and it can be so frustrating when I sway from what I know I love and want. My family is so important to me, but as I have said before they are only important to me because of the intrinsic value that God has given them, and also the love He has given me for them! God alone needs to be my deepest desire and passion, and all else will flow from that reality!

YOU ARE LOVED

*bonus family pic