“Prayer is the Voice of Faith.”-Our Daily Bread

I started a devotional today.  My husband has been using it for some months now, but I usually just read the Bible.  I noticed how he just loves his time with this daily devotional, how he wakes up every morning and turns on his side lamp before even getting out of bed, how he seldom misses a day, and I thought, “there could be something to this little devotional book.” 

The lesson today was about faith and prayer.  I read about God’s call on Abrams life.  How God asked him to leave everything Abram knew and follow His, that is God’s, plan for Abram’s life.  I had read it before, so it was familiar to me.  But at the end of the devotional, were the simple words, “Prayer is the Voice of Faith.”  And I had to think, when we pray we are acting out a faith in God that He will answer our prayer.  So why do we so doubt after we have faith.  Like, “God, I really need a healing and I know you are the only one that can give me what I need.”  Then, we tell our friends, “I asked God for a healing, but ya know…I don’t know if it’s His will or whatever.  Maybe He will, but maybe He won’t.”  I mean really, friends!!!  We need to pray with faith and with certainty that whatever we ask in His name we will receive by faith.  Let’s be real here though, don’t be asking the Lord for the lotto numbers.  Or the ok to marry the guy that is an atheist, or the ok to live with someone to “get to know them better”.  We need to be within the will of the Father to receive what the Father has for us.  Our prayers must be in line with what is righteous and good for us.  And, in our heart we must be willing to give up what He asks us to give up.  If our prayer is for healing, maybe you need to give up what is causing our illness; such as smoking or drinking, or drugs, we must be willing to completely give it up.  Just as Abram left his land, his comfort, to obey God’s will.

God bless you today.

 

Lord, please….what are You doing with Me?

This year has been so difficult.  You know, if have read my previous posts, that I am a person who tries to keep focused on God’s plan and what He is doing in my life.  I know that all He chooses to do is for our good.  Yet, I am having a “why me” moment.  And that bugs me, because I always tell everyone during their “why me” moments, “why not you?”.  I believe it too.  Why not me?  Because I’ m a good person.  That’s why.  Oh, but the Bible says, no one is good but the Lord.  So I can’t use that excuse.  So let’s call it what it is.  I don’t want to go through this anymore!  I am getting tired.  I am running the race and running the race and I feel like my electrolytes are depleted and my body fat is zero, (ok, the zero part wouldn’t be so bad.)  My feet won’t move, not one more step.  So Lord, Please!  What You doing with me? 

My body, my flesh, says give up.  My flesh says to stop and surrender to the world.  The flesh says the world is stronger than my faith. But I know the Truth that is in Christ.  And what does the Truth say, what does the Bible say?  Keep running, keep your eyes on the Lord, don’t give up, fight the good fight with the only thing you can , the Word of God.  And I must.  Because in the end, it matters.

 

God is so faithful

It has been some time since I have blogged.  Mainly because of time restraints, and also because I do not want to write just anything that comes to my mind.  I started this blog with the intention that it would be the Lord’s, not mine and that I would use it when He directed me.  This post is for Him…to praise Him for His faithfulness to me and to those who trust in Him.

The past two weeks have been, unusual…for lack of a better word.  My grandmother had shown signs of a stroke and she was the primary care giver to my grandfather who really couldn’t even stand up without help.  My mom lives with them, but works full time.  So, I gathered up the kids and left to help.  I spent a week there helping my grandmother and mother.  We worked on arrangements for a long term facility and spoke with an attorney about those arrangements. 

There were so many unanswered questions, but, through this, I was able to pray with my grandmother.  We stood in the hallway and prayed to the Lord for answers and guidence.  Something I had never done with her before. My children witnessed the Lord’s provision when the long term care facility let us know that the “home” closest to my grandmother which never has room available, just happened to have a bed for my grandfather.  And not only that, but that they would waive fees usually required to place a patient.  At that point, it was time to get back home to my husband…

When I arrived home, I was contacted by my stepmother.  My father had been put into the hospital with an intestinal blockage and a possible heart problem.  He had emergency surgery. 

That same week, my husband was notified that a close family friend…actually, his godfather (he was raised Catholic), had passed away.  He had cancer that had spread through his body very quickly. 

As I have shared this with friends, they ask me how I am keeping it together, and I just have one answer.  I trust so I won’t crumble!  I have such peace about it all.  My life is God’s.  What He does with it, is His choice.  I know that He will work all things out for the good of anyone who trusts in Him.  And, I trust Him!  Everyday, I see the Lord working  and I know that He is real.  He is alive.  He is working in my life and in others lives around me.  And, if you don’t know this already…He wants to be a part of yours.  God is good to provide, He is faithful to provide, and He is worthy of our praise!  God bless you.

 

I have too much stuff…

A while ago I wrote about being a good steward of what the Lord provides.  That includes time, money, talents, etc.  This week I have come to the realization that I HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF!!  How is it that we can accumulate so much?

This week I started a project with my kids.  We needed to get our schedule on track after taking on watching a one year old to earn extra money.  We had tried this and that, but it just isn’t working.  We need the money right now, and so I prayed that the Lord would give me the right schedule.

Ok, so to make things more efficient…I decided to go through the house and evaluate each area to see if we were using it correctly.  I looked at the bathroom cupboards and drawers and noticed they were completely disorganized.  Toothpaste was far away from the toothbrushes, hair brushes were not even near the rubber bands and hair ribbons, etc.  So I made a layout of the bathroom and assigned ”areas” to it.  Now there is a hygiene and ‘getting ready’ area, cleaning supply area,  paper products area, and extra supplies that haven’t been opened area.  You get the idea.  Well, I have been doing this through the whole house and I find that we just have too much.

So here is the plan…I am going to go through every closet and drawer and room until I have a pile of stuff to donate.  I am going to donate that stuff and then pray daily that the Lord will keep us all from adding anything unnecessary to this house for a year.  At which time, I will evaluate it again.  Why do we need more than eight dinner plates, or maybe twelve if you have big dinners?  All those plastic cups you get with fountain drinks…do we really need them?  Rubber bands from newspapers, or twist ties you never use? 

This may seem like a silly post to you, but the Lord asks us to live in peace, right?  How can we live in peace when we look around at all the stuff and the clutter, and think…”What can I do with all of this stuff?”

 

Just a random post…

Four generations at Christmas 2007

Thought I would post this photo of my family…

 

This is a very good ad…

I just received an email regarding this ad that will be running on some major tv stations.  It was put out by a Catholic organization who would like their church family to start thinking things through completely before they vote.  You can view the ad at the bottom of this post.

Interestingly, I went to their website where I was able to read comments left by the website visitors.  It always amazes me that so many people calling themselves Christians will try and make their point about hateful comments with hateful comments.  It is just so heartbreaking that Christians allow themselves to be taken over by emotions that cause them to lash out in a hateful tone.  It misrepresents God, and what God stands for. 

I think it is time for all Christians to stand up for what is right.  Based on what God says is right, and do it the way God has shown to be the right way to do it.  You can not make your point heard when you are insulting a person, or demanding they take your view, or screaming in their face, or calling them horrible things.  This type of behavior pushes people away from God, not to Him. 

With that said, I think this ad is very well done.  I hope it makes people think about what could have been, what could be, if all children had the opportunity to come into the world.

 

More Than Dreams…

My family and I just watched two parts of this wonderful documentary about people in Muslim countries turning their lives over to Jesus.  The following link is just part one of Kahlil’s story.  He is an Arab man training to be a fighter for Allah.  Just an amazing true story of Jesus showing himself to a man desperately seeking the true God.

We take so many freedoms for granted here in the US.  We walk around with our Bibles, go freely to church on Sunday, and we are able to speak the name of Jesus without the threat of being killed.  As I sat in my living room watching this video, tears in my eyes, I couldn’t help but think of how many people in other countries die today for their faith in Christ.  Let us all pray for their strength and courage.

God bless you all.

 

Good Steward – Time, Money, & Resources

I believe that the Lord intends us to be good stewards of all that He gives to us. Which would include time, money, and resources. Wasting our time is a big problem for Americans. We have so many sources of “time stealers”. Talking on the phone, tv, and computers can all be a problem for us if we do not use our time wisely. These are areas I definitly need to keep in check.
I have found that scheduling my day helps me to be a better steward of the time God has given me.
I recomend the assistance of Titus2.com in helping you learn how to schedule your household, your personal time, and your homeschool life. I have used their manuals; Manager’s of Their Homes and Manager’s of Their Chores, to greatly transform my use of time.

Check them out at http://www.titus2.com

 

Jonathan’s Toughts – on President Bush

For a special blessing, check out Jonathan’s Thoughts as he bids a good-bye to President Bush.

It is well written and a definite read for anyone pushing harsh criticism on G.W. Bush.  Enjoy!

 

I am so in awe of my God…

Everyday the Lord shows me his amazing love for me and my family.  I am just in awe of what He chooses to do for us on a daily basis. He is so worthy of our praise and I shall praise Him everyday!

If you don’t know the kind of God I speak about, one who continues to love you and will never leave your side, follow this link to learn more.

Lord, it is my wish today to just thank you for your amazing grace.  You continue to just absolutely amaze me.  I pray that anyone reading this who does not know this kind of amazing love that You will just touch their heart, Lord.  Cause them to have a desire to know more.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.