Lies and standing firm in Christ

As I began to read this morning, I felt so tired (sleep deprived).  I just looked at the window and debated on going back to bed! I asked God to give me a word and I stated, "No, I promised myself that I would be in God's word daily." So, I began reading.  2 Thessalonians is not a very big book, in fact it only has 3 chapters, but something really did come out at me.  I know in the past I have read about Christ's coming, I am sure even non Christians have ventured to read it, but it felt like a realization today.  Satan will bring up someone to lie to us earthly men.  He does this now, but he will actually have a human displaying miracles, signs, and wonders.  I imagined right then, that people would fall against God and believe this lie.  They will marvel over all his wonders, but we are to remember the TRUTH and stand firm in Christ.  Christ will come "from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels"(1:7).  Why would he go against what he said?  HE WOULDN'T.   Jesus will destroy the very one who lies and that do not believe in him. We, Christians, will know when the Lord comes back and must remember that until that moment comes Christ has not returned.  And when he does, then we will sit with God and worship him all the days of our life.

I pray Lord that My Family and I will know the truth.  I ask that you would write your Word on our hearts and prepare us for the day of your coming.  Do not let us be fooled by sin and stand firm with you.  You are so much more powerful and miraculous than Satan could ever be.  Point us to you ALWAYS, Lord.  You are the way, the truth, and the light.  I pray that we will live lives worthy for you.  Thank you for your spirit and your love.  Thank you for your kindness towards all people.  Thank you for a forgiving heart.  Thank you for all that you have given and taken away from me.  In you I will stand.  In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

WARNINGS

Well if anyone ever wanted a to do list from the Lord, I guess I Thessalonians would be a great place to start.  Throughout the book it Paul tells the church to live as the Lord will be here today.  (Not his words but mine) He will come quickly and rest assured the dead will rise first, which then we will meet them in the sky.  Even Paul back then prayed continually for the Lord's people to be blameless on that day.  That is encouraging to know, especially when I goof up and sin in my anger, etc.  I feel like a turd for yelling at everyone yesterday.  To be honest, I don't know what came over me.  I desire honesty and communication with my family and I guess I just didn't get it yesterday.  I hurt several people and pray that they truly forgave me. 

[Lord, I have to stop right here.  I am sorry for my actions, they were not of you.  I pray that you will surround me with your ways; I want your meek and mildness, your love, your kindness, your gentleness, and your self-control.  Help me to run away from the temptation of anger.  Please increase your Love in me and strengthen my heart so that I will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God.  Lord I want to be able to control my body in a way that is holy and honorable.  Please Lord allow me to encourage, comfort, and urge my children to live lives worth of You.  I know that I can't do that acting as I did yesterday, so please forgive me and allow forgiveness from them and myself.]

Paul tells us some key things to live a life that is holy and worthy of God, to please him when he comes for us:

Build one another up (5:11)

Respect our leaders (5:12)

Hold leaders in the highest regard (5:13)

Live in peace (5:13)

Warn the idle  (5:14)

Encourage the timid  (5:14)

Help the weak  (5:14)

Be patient   (5:14)

Resist revenge  (5:15)

Be Joyful  (5:16)

Pray continually (5:17)

Give thanks (5:18)

Do not put out the Spirit's fire  (5:19)

Do not treat prophecies with contempt (5:20) 

Avoid every kind of evil (5:22)

count on God's constant help  (5:23)

God, thank you for your guidelines.  I know that for me, it is comforting to know that the one true God is by my side helping me in this world.  I have truth and encouragement in your word.  Thank you for forgiveness.  Thank you for sending your son into this horrible, sinful world for me to die a death not worthy of a King.  I pray that all these things that you have brought to me, you would be of constant help to produce in my life.  I want to live a life that is worthy of you and will withstand the fire.  You are so mighty and true.  God you fill my life with peace and hope for a future.  Thank you.  I lift these things to you from my heart.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Colossians-What Christians should do?

I continue to strive towards the prize: I pray all the time for God's wisdom and will.  Today I read the verse that is perfect for me: "asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the the Lord and may please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all the power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

Praise the Lord! Lord I do ask that you would fill me with your knowledge so that I would live a life that is of worth to you.  I want everything that I do, "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (3:17) In order for me to live this life Lord, please remove the "things" that are holding me back: anger, rage malice, slander, and filthy language from my lips, and keep me from speaking lies.  Instead, as your word says, change these things to "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (3:12) I want to forgive as you forgave me and to love everyone.  I pray that I can be the wife that you have called me to be and submit to my husband because he is the head of our home.  Let me honor him, as I am honoring you.  In the same way, Lord, please help my husband to love me and not to be harsh and my children to be obedient.  I want my husband and children to yearn for you, giving you glory in everything that they do.  During this time, I especially pray for Wayne and I to be parents that lift our children up and do not tear them down.  Give us the encouragement and love to do all these things.  Doing all these things for your glory we will receive an inheritance from you as a reward (3:24).  I deserve nothing, but yet you have giving me everything.  You are my Prince of Peace, my Lord of Lords.  I praise you my King.  I lift my petitions to you in the name of your wonderful Son-Jesus. Amen.

Philippians-Joy VS Happiness

In my Bible that I am studying with, there is a page before the actually book begins that describes the book and author.  Philippians explains that Happiness depends on circumstances and Joy runs deeper.  This is definitely a truth that we should all hear.  If you have happiness with a special someone, what happens when they die! If you have happiness over an earthly possession, what happens when it is burned, lost, or stolen! If you have happiness in your health, what happens when it deteriorates! Joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God's love and work in our lives-that he will be there no matter what!  Joy depends on Christ not earthly things.To tell the truth, by starting the book this way, I was put into perspective before I even began reading.  Thank you Lord :-) 

Joy for me is in these truths:

1:6 "...that he who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  The Lord is not done with me.  I can praise him even in my darkest times, because he loves me and knows whats best for me.  I know that he loves me more than my earthly mother could ever imagine.  

1:13-14 "As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.  Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."  The "chains" that I am dealing with here on this earth are for the Lord.  He never allows anything that I can't handle and always gives me a way out.  I will praise him no matter what! 

1:18-19 "...Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance."

1:27 "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ"

2:3,5,14-16 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (humbled himself before others and came to serve, not to be served).  Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."  

I pray that I will be a servant among men.  I pray that you can reach the world with your generosity and love.  Lord, keep my attitude, even with those I love, true to your standards.  I continue to pray for healing, but ask that you only allow encouraging and uplifting words to be spoke about my condition.  I do not want to complain or argue with you Lord.  I give you my petitions.  Take them and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

3:10,14,20-21 "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him his death."  Isn't that the ultimate goal for Christians-to follow God even if it takes us to death.  This can seem a little daunting, but I will conquer the fear of death with Jesus by my side.  "I [will] press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." The goal unto which I think of is heaven.  There everything is perfect and good.  So remembering that "our citizenship is in Heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

4:6-7,11,13,19 "Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." In this world, we are missing the punch line.  We are leaning on material things and money to make us happy.  I can clearly say that I am joyful not happy, because "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." I have been broke and almost homeless, which I still found the Lord in it all.  I know that "I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  And my God will meet all [my] needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  

Recapture of 2011

2011 has been a year of many things; learning, loving, living, surviving...

I started the year out going back to work.  God woke me up one morning and pushed me to the computer.  I prayed to him, "I don't know what to do, so put me where you will allow me to grow and where it won't hurt as much to leave the kids."  That is what he did.  I worked for Drayer Physical Therapy for 10 months.  During this time, Wayne had a couple of surgeries on his eye and some miraculous things happened: he could see 20/40.

Also, William was diagnosed with significant hearing loss.  He, too, had surgery to correct this issue and God redeemed his hearing and speech.  That day, as we sat outside watching the chickens, William asked me, "Mommy, do you hear that?"  I didn't know what he could hear, so I asked him what he heard.  He replied, "The wind."  Tears began to well up in my eyes and I was so grateful to God for allowing him to hear again.  We went for a walk that night and I pushed the stroller out of the gravel.  William looked up at me and said roll on the gravel.  I rolled the stroller back into the gravel and watch him look as if that was the coolest sound he had ever heard.  It is amazing what we take for granite on a daily basis.

William had some mishaps, too.  He fell out of the golf cart at my moms and was dragged down the driveway by his sister.  Blessedly, he was very hurt and beat up with no internal injuries.  A week before his ear surgery he slammed his thumb in my car door and almost chopped it off.  That took almost a month to heal, but it did and the emergency room doctor said it was a miracle that it didn't sever his thumb! Thanks be to God.

Natalie and Anna had a tough year as well.  They had to do a lot of growing up and being Mommy while daddy was recovering from his multiple surgeries.  Now that I am home that are relaxing down a bit and learning to be BIG, but letting Mommy be Mommy.

Wayne was released to go back to work in the last week of September and then more challenges came.  Here a man that has driven some type of Big truck since 1998, but no one would hire him.  He had been out of a truck too long, they said.  But God had a different plan.  I know that going into work again would be hard for Wayne, especially after such a long time at home.  I remember feeling that way when I stepped back into work early in the year.  God provided him with a job at JB Hunt.  Yes, after 3 weeks of driving other the road and not seeing us but one time, we begged God to redeem the time we had lost and that is what he did.  He allowed Wayne to transfer to the local runs, which he was home 3 times a week.  We thought we were set until all the work that he had put in wasn't enough to pay the little amount of bills that we had.  Again, we begged God to help us know where to go next.  I awoke from my sleep and asked Wayne if he couldn't contact the company where he was injured.  They may have a dispatching position that he could do.  Well two days later he was the new Operations Manager for over 100 trucks and in the work that he had done for two years prior.  It is very demanding and hard at times, but we pray daily that God would continue to bless him and show him favor in his work.

As for me, well adjustments must be my middle name.  When I went to work each day, I would cry and ask the Lord to comfort me while giving me success.  I am not a name knower and this job, I had to know the patients name by the 2nd time they were there.  So, as usual God did his thing and I usually knew them by first name before they left on the first visit.  I grew very fast and learned things that people didn't learn until 6months to a year into the position.  I give all that success to the Lord, because I gave it all to him each day.  Learning to be a working mom was very hard and was such an adjustment.  It took me at least 4 months and even then I would cry because I missed my homeschool friends and the life I had to leave.  Now, I am back home with my family and serving my husband the way the Lord has asked me too.  I have been here since October 8th, but again I am in a process of becoming normal again.  What is normal?  I wonder all the time.  I am reading more of the truth, because the truth is what will set me free and is my only weapon against the one who wants to kill and destroy me.  He wants me to feel anxiety when in crowds or when the thought of going to a meeting of some kind.  He is targeting me with the things I have always loved to do: co-ops, field trips, eating out, and my physical body.  I have always been a do-it-myself kind of girl.  I mean I was a truck driver's wife, right.  I struggle to sleep due to the pain in various parts of my body.  The last time I went to the doctor, he said that my RA levels were elevated.  RA is brought on by stress and major events in someone's life.  I know that the Lord has called me to this place of service and I will not allow Satan to win the battle.

This year has had many trials, but I wouldn't trade them for anything.  The pain levels are very high, but I know that God loves me.  I know that he has a plan for me, one not to harm me, but to prosper me.  I know that I will be success in Him.  I pray everyday for healing, fruits of the spirit, direction in life, and favor from the Lord.  He is my Almighty comforter, my Prince of Peace, my Healer, my Everything.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  As far as next year, I pray for the ability to write how much more he has done through us for others around us.  We want to reach whoever God places in our lives.

Ephesians

Who wouldn't serve the One true God?

I mean, look in your life and see it.  Really see it.  There has to be one God moment somewhere in there.  I have asked for him to be revealed to me in a Big way and boy, Nelly, He did.  As I ask him this morning (and all through  the night) to stop the pain in my shoulders, I read Eph 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for  ever and ever! Amen." I know that God will make me whole again.  I can't know if it is here on earth, but he has been miraculous before in my life with my loved ones around me, so why not for me?  Having that hope is what leads us to him in the first place.  As the truth says, he can do immeasurably more than I can imagine! I have also asked the Lord for me to never forget, never be comfortable enough that I am living on my own (hmmm wonder if that is whats going on with my body?).  I "no longer [want to] be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here an there by every wind of teaching and by the cumming and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, [I] will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."  Eph 4:14-16

"In [my] anger do not sin." "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." This alone is a powerful truth.  How many of us, I know I have, said something to hurt someone out of anger.  I pray daily that I would lift my children up and not provoke or harm them.  As my daughter gets older, I am praying this several times a day.  LOL

Wives by submissive to your husbands.  I used to have a real problem with this truth, but as I have spent years in the word, bible studies, and living a married life for 13 years I realized that being submissive to my husband is a blessing from the Lord.  He, the Lord, has always proved his word in every situation.

The whole armour of God:

Belt of Truth                               God's truth can defeat Satan's lies.
Breastplate of Righteousness       Satan often attacks our hearts-the seat of our emotions, welf-worth, and 
                                                  trust.  God's righteousness is the breastplate that protects our hearts and
                                                  ensures his approval.  he approves of us because he loves us and sent his
                                                  son to die for us.
Footgear of Good News            Gives us the motivation to continue to proclaim the true peace that is
                                                  available in God-News everyone needs to hear.
Shield of Faith                            Protects us from Satan's flaming arrows.  With God's perspective, we can
                                                  see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimate victory is ours.
Helmet of Salvation                    The helmet protects our minds from doubting God's saving work for us.
Sword of the Spirit                     The sword is the only weapon of offensive in this list of armor.  There are
                                                  times when we need to take the offensive against Satan. When we are
                                                  tempted, we need to trust in the truth of God's Word.

Thank you Lord for asking Brent to encourage us to get into your Word more.  I want to read her word in its entirety, not just for doing it, but to write the words on my heart.  Your truth is what sets me free and is my only defense weapon against the one who comes to kill and destroy me.  I pray that today will not be a defeat.  I lift up our Angel Tree Christmas Party, My visit with Grandmother, and whatever else we may do.  I lift them so that you can bless them and allow your Glory to shine through them.  Thank you for Wayne's job, I pray that he will be home a lot earlier than expected today.  I pray that sleep will be easy for him and everyone who sleeps here tonight.  Let us celebrate you coming here on this earth to be sin for us.  You endured so much, I shouldn't complain about my failing body.  But you came, to give us hope, life, and a future.  So I do continue to pray that you will take all my pain away, heal my body, and restore it to what you created it to be.  Lastly, I pray for all those who venture here to this blog.  I pray that their lives would be filled with your Spirit and would pour out your Love.  In all these things I pray in your precious son's name-Jesus.  Amen. 

Doing Good/Unity in Christ

Whew! Since Monday someone has been sick in our house.  Wednesday was my turn.  Yikes, no fun.  It wasn't that bad and yesterday I just fought a low grade fever, which finally broke sometime early this morning.  I began to read this morning in the last part of Galatians, which said "let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." I pray that I do not do things for myself, but for the glory of God.  With that said, I pray too that in doing the good of the Father, I do not want to grow tired.  Help me Lord, to remain focused on you always.

It is amazing that Paul prayed the very thing I pray for myself.  "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." Wow, I know that those were not my exact words, but those are the things I want for my life with Christ too.  God can give me the power that he gave his Son to heal, encourage, discern, etc.  I give my whole self to you Lord.  All of me.  I want nothing left to be ruined by sin.  Fill me Lord with your presence each and every day.  Allow me to be overfilled with joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and self control, so that I can fill someone else with the wonderful things.  I know that I will be healed, but in my affliction, I will be patient.  There is a season for everything.  I know that I am "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." In all these things, I pray in your precious son's name, Jesus! Amen.

Freedom-Galatians

Now my journey through the New Testament is taking me to Galatians with Paul.  I see people struggle with "law" all the time.  When I went to our last church for 10 years, I saw this very clearly.  The "managers" of the church get carried away with their roles and the rules, they forget about Jesus.  This can turn a new Christian away from God, and fast.  Being a Christian is hard work, because we do not live by the standards of this world.  We are to live by the spirit and that is not always the popular thing to do.    We have to remember that as adults, rules are important for chaos not to be present, but not to surrender our hearts/lives to them.  "For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Gal 2:19-21 "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law" Gal 3:25 We are to live by the spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. 

Lord, I thank you once again for your freedom that you have given me.  Thank you for dieing on the cross for me and my sins.  I ask that I not only open my heart to the gifts of the spirit, but to the spirit itself.  I desire to possess your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.  With you, there is no other way.  You are my Lord and Master, and through you I can do all things.  I pray that you will give me these things and I can pour them out to everyone around me.  I pray that Christmas Eve will be one of these moments that can change lives forever.  Please take my nerves away Lord and know that you are in control.  I ask that you bless those who venture to this blog and encourage them immensely.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Giving and Weakness 2 Corinthians

As I sit here to type this morning, 3 out of 5 of my family is vomiting and sick.  The suffering that we experience often is the weakness that points us to the Lord.  I know that through the last year, with Wayne's and William's hospital/Dr visits and my pains, it has done just that; on my face asking and praying to the Lord.  When I finished 2 Corinthians today, I just sat a little numb.  I ask the Lord each day to write his word on my heart.  Not only allowing me to read it in it's entirety, but etching for life.  So, that when it is needed it can spring forth from me.  Paul was such a strong man in Christ.  He believed with all his heart and endured so much; imprisonment, beatings, etc.  If he tells me that in those weakness, we are made strong in Christ, then I should take that knowledge.  In Chapter 12 he said, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,' There fore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  that is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, than I am strong."  I know that God doesn't strike us down and he surely doesn't give us pain, but I think he allows these things (like Job) to come in our lives to prune us and prepare us for the fire that will test who we've been.  I only pray that through this life here on earth, as I wait patiently for my Abba to come and get me, that I will fill my life with things that will strengthen my spirit to withstand the fire. 

Money has always been such a issue in this house.  I remember tithing each week and then Wayne coming to church (which at that time was far and few between), which he yelled the entire time about giving our money away.  I can boast in the Lord, as Paul says we should, for the miraculous change that has taken place.  It has taken 6 years, 2 lost jobs, and 3 hospital/surgeries, but Wayne has witnessed what the Bible talks about.  Where would we be without Him and what we reap, we will get in return.  "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" 2 Cor 9:6-8.  He has stood on this promise, we are witnesses.  We have had nothing monetarily, but God miraculously has given us food, clothes, shelter.  Not even the birds worry about these things, right?  What freedom to live in that truth.  I do pray that we "will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given."

Lord, thank you for your truth that inspires me to keep on going on.  My weaknesses have been so uplifting in my life.  To experience them may have been a little painful, but the outcome to be closer to you has been amazing. You are my strength Lord.  You Love me more than anyone on this earth could imagine.  Lord I pray that I will show you the same Love back and that all that I do is not wasted, but for your glory and can with stand the fire.  I pray that as a family that we are cheerful givers.  Come into our lives and encourage us to be what you need us to be, so that the lost can be reached, the poor can be helped, and the orphans can find love in you.  Thank you Lord for all that you have given and have held back.  I continue to pray that I can show your Love to my children and family, as if they were strangers.  The sickness that is sweeping over our home is not welcomed and I say in the name of Jesus that it is gone, leaving our house as I type this.  In the name of Jesus, I pray all these things, Amen!

Heaven Bound 2 Corinthians

"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-17

Thank you Lord.  Reading your word each day is pointing me right back to your Truth.  I still pray for healing because I know that, that spirit lives within us.  But I know that, my inwardly body (my spirit) is what I need to focus on.  The pain is just for a little while, but eternity with you is forever! I'll take it.  I pray that as I live on this earth waiting for you to come get me, that I will live not for myself but for him who died for me and was raised again (2 Cor 5:15).   I am excited to be a new creation in Christ, which the old has gone, and the new one has come (vs 17).  This body is for you Lord.  I pray that I would serve you in every way.  Last Thursday, I woke up hurting, but you gave me relief as I served those that were spiritually hurting.  Lord, I ask that I can serve you everyday.  This way I can focus on others pain and encourage them, instead of my own.  As I ask often, "open wide [my] heart" to except your will for my life.  "God, [you] made him who had no sin to be sin for [me], so that in him [I] might become the righteousness of God" 2 Cor 6:21.  I pray that you will make my heart clean, "purifying [me] from everything that contaminates my body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (7:1)".  Out of "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (7:10)."  Thank you, Lord.  To live a life with no regret is a precious one indeed.  I continue to lift my families life to you.  Make us pure in heart Lord and bring people into our lives that will give us the opportunity to pour your love and kindness out to them.  I also ask that I can give this same Love, your Love, to my family as well.  In your son's Holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Spiritual Gifts-Love-Resurrection I Cor

Spiritual Gifts

As I was reading today in Chapter 12, Paul lists the gifts of the spirit.  Wisdom, Knowledge, Healing, Tongues, Interpretation of the Tongues, Miraculous powers, Prophecy, and Discernment.  Wow, who wouldn't want all of these?  In recent months, I have thought about these gifts for myself.  I believe that I do possess the gift of Discernment: distinguishing between spirits.  I have always had an act of knowing who people really are...I pray today that God will open my heart to all of the spiritual gifts available to me.  It says in verse 11, "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."  So, Lord, as some of these spirits are a little nervy to me due to not understanding them as well, I open myself to be given whatever you have for me.  I want to encourage and edify the body of Christ and those around me.  Planting seeds also to the unsaved. 


[As I prayed, when I read this, I asked God to give me these spiritual gifts.  When I got to the gift of healing, I told Satan to "get behind me and you are not welcome in this house or my body.  You will not take my hands, feet, shoulders, or collar bone.  You must leave in the Name of Jesus".  I looked up and my dog out of no where looked as if he was following someone to the front door (next to where I was sitting).  Christmas went to the side window of the door and stared out the door for a minute and then returned to the couch to lie down.  It was cool to think, Christmas was protecting me and seeing our unwanted guest out the door.  Making sure that he left our property. 

Love

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love Never Fails.  And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love." I Cor 13:4-8, 13

These are such familiar words.  I see them on bookmarks, plaques, etc.  I know that I do not show this kind of love towards the ones I am with the most.  It is so much easier to be "loving" to others that aren't with you as much, than those that are with you the most.  Lord, I ask that you would help me to share this Love with everyone, even my children, husband, and close family.  They deserve your Love.  I pray that these verses will ring into my heart each day, as I live them out. 

Resurrection

Praise Jesus.  My body here, right now, is not meant to be alive but dead.  My heavenly body will be alive and beautiful! No pain, no destruction, no death.  "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised in spiritual body." I Cor 15:42-44.  Thank you Lord that I have hope that all will be well with you.  You are my healer and you will resurrect my body to your beauty and glory.  We are not promised healing here, but when we see it praise the Lord.  It is a small picture of what Heaven will be like.  Thank you for allow my diet change to help my pain dissolve.  I pray that you would give me the knowledge to apply different things to my life so that my earthly body will be the way you created it to be. 

Instruction of Freedom-I Cor

Boy, do I feel like I am in a race.  I really do feel like, at times, I am lagging behind and there isn't any hope in even catching up.  The last six years have been so challenging for me.  When Wayne first lost his job at CM, we just never recovered.  But, God is so good.  Looking back I can see His hand in everything.  401K paid most of our bills off, after 16 months we finally closed on our house in Newnan, we've been humbled with work that we never thought we would do, and we changed church homes with the prompting of the Lord.  We have even seen miracles within our family; Natalie had a tumor-took 6 teeth, but was benign, Anna was born with a dislocated hip, but with much prayer from hundreds of people, in one week the DR was baffled at how she could be "fine".  Wayne almost loosing his life, but lost his eye instead.  But wait, with 4 surgeries and God's beautiful hands working on him with the 2 DRs he has 20/40 vision again.  William was partially deaf and couldn't talk.  The DRs wouldn't do surgery when he was smaller due to insurance, but then we had the right insurance and God brought us to the right DR.  Once the tubes were in place, he could hear the wind and his stroller rolling in the gravel (that still brings tears to my eyes). Now, I am battling with what the DRs think is Rheumatoid Arthritis.  With all that I have seen and experienced I know that God is with me.  He will be victorious.  I am to run in the race, and run like I want that prize.  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." I Cor. 9:24-25 

Lord, I know at times, I am a whining little child.  The pain is unbearable sometimes, but I know that you will heal me.  I know that you are a mighty God.  Just in my life only Lord, you have done many signs and wonders.  I can't deny you or say that you can't do something, because You can!! Praise God.  Open my eyes Lord to what you want for my life.  I want to Glorify you and make you proud.  This "thing" that Satan thinks will bring me down, isn't anything that You and I can't handle.  God you are faithful and your word says, "[you] will not let [me] be tempted beyond what [I] can bear."  Thank you, Jesus! This is nothing compared to what Jesus had to endure for me.  Lord, I ask that you let me be in constant remembrance.  I also pray, Lord, that you will help me to encourage others and when I am having a whining moment to bring people in my life that will lift me up to you Lord.  Thank you Lord. Thank you for my parents, bless them 10x for the love for my family.  I pray they will seek and find you.  I pray that you would wrap your arms around them and give them peace with success.  Thank you for my husband.  Lord, I know that you are working on him with zeal.  Lord, I pray that he will be the spiritual leader of this family.  That he will be held accountable for this house turning to you.  Thank you, Lord for our home.  I pray that even it brings Glory to your name.  Thank you Lord.  I love you.  In Jesus' name Amen!

1 Corinthians-How to live for Christ

I do believe that Paul shows a lot of his character in his writings.  I thought it was humorous that he begins telling the church that "beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else".  So, even someone as great as he forgets.  That gives me comfort.  :-()

It is a wonderful reminder that "we have the mind of Christ".  We do not know what man is thinking, but we can be still and "understand what God has freely given us" (with his spirit we can know what he is thinking). 

I pray that everything that I do is fire worthy.  "It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." I Cor. 3:13-15
Lord I pray that I will do your work on this earth and it is pleasing to you.  I want to shine on the other end of the fire.  I do not want to disappoint you.  I do not want to do things for my own gain, Lord, but for your glory.

Another wonderful word from the Lord, through Paul, is about judging and being hard on yourself.  Paul writes, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.  It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.  He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.  At that time each will receive his praise from God".  I Cor 4:3-5

Thank you, Lord. I am so hard on myself, as you see with the first prayer.  I do love you and want to serve you all my days.  I do want you to be proud of me and I do want to be your good and faithful servant.  But what Love you show here.  I should not care what others think of me or even judge myself.  You are the ultimate judge and when that Day comes you will put it through fire and all will be reveled.  Thank you for loving me, Thank you for all you have and haven't given to me, Thank you for what I face each day, Thank you for my husband and children.  I lift them up to you Lord.  I pray they will also be mighty warriors for your kingdom.  I pray success and favor on them.  Thank you for our home.  I pray Lord that we can even use it to glorify you.  I lift my neighbor to you right now.  She is full of fear and anxiety.  I ask that you remove this from her and fill her with your peace.  I pray that the quality of life for her mom would be bettered 10x, by her faithfulness.  We thank you, as a family, for her Lord.  She is a wonderful woman that you have made.  Protect her heart Lord and allow other members of our Christ family to step up and give her relief and breaks.  I ask these things in your Holy Son's Name, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Journey through Romans II

Okay, so I finished reading Romans today.  Boy does everyone need to read it.  It reminds me how much we need the Lord and how we should treat each other. 


I am sure that Romans 12:2 is familiar, but today I prayed that I would not conform to this world and that God would renew my mind.  I want to know God's good and pleasing will for my life.  I have been that person that just goes from day to day, event to event.  I know how much I can't live without him each day.  I desire to be close and have his wisdom to live out what his word says. 

I need encouragement, just like my neighbor.  That came in the form of a verse today, "Be joyful in hope (which I remember from the other day..does not fail us!), patient in affliction (boy Nelly..Lord come to me right now with this, because the pain fogs my thinking at moments.  I know that you are going to heal me, because you are my healer), faithful in prayer (many times in the Bible God speaks of praying always...I pray that I not only pray for myself and my family, but of other hurting).  Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice Hospitality. Romans 12:12-13  I pray Lord that when I do things, even to fill my child's heart with missional practices that I do them with my whole heart and have great testimonies to share with others.

As I continued to read Romans 12:21, I started to ask for forgiveness already this morning, for being overcome by evil, instead of overcoming evil with good. I am sure that we all fall into the habit of snapping back at people, or in my case saying something out of rebuking something someone else said.  I have to remember that the Bible tells us to let our Yes be Yes and our No be No.  No flowery things in between.

God gives us everything we have, and in the past when Wayne has lost a job, or had a major incident, we were able to have peace when there wasn't much debt.  I read out loud Romans 13:8, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law."  Lord I pray that we would be good stewards to everything you give us, remembering that you do give and take away.  I also pray, Lord, that we would live today and not hold on to the next pay check.  I want to experience your peace of financial freedom and to be able to give to the hurt and needy.

You are working a great deal in our lives.  Thank you Lord for the man you are making Wayne and the woman in me.  I continue to pray that we will have the unity that you want and give us in Romans 15:5-6.  Lord you give me endurance and encouragement and the spirit of unity so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify You.  I accept the the joy and peace as we trust you and pray, Lord, that we will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (vs15:13). 

Journey through Romans I

 So here I am in my journey through the new Testament that my pastor asked us to do.  I am in the book of Romans.  I am asking the Lord to let me read the words as a story, but to infuse them into my heart.  Three verses stuck out to me today:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

This verse is probably very familiar, but is great to remind us who is really on our side.  It is so comforting to remember that Satan may want something for bad and the Lord will turn it to good.  I love Him so as long as I call upon Him, His good will wash over me.

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-33

I just don't have to worry.  My God is for me and loves me so much that He gave his only son up for me.  Satan you have no grips on me! 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Halleluiah, Amen! Nothing can get in the way of our love with the Lord.  Wow.  Amazing words! Thank you Lord for your love.  I pray that I will pour my heart out with the love and peace you have given to me.  You, Lord, are my hero that guards my heart and gives me good things, even though it looks to be bad.  I praise you, Lord.  Bless those who read this, and bless those who are praying to have you right now.  Enrich their lives and enlarge their territory.  Bless those who are praying for our family.  Lord I pray that you will bless then 10 times more.  

Hope never fails

Okay so my pastor charged us yesterday with reading the whole new testament.  Well he suggested in a month, but I said I will promise to read it :-) So as I was going through Romans today, a couple of verses just stuck out. 

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

I have been having lots of pain in my hands, wrist, and shoulders.  Last time I went to the doctors, my RA levels were elevated.  The pain is more than I have ever had and stops me from sleeping very good.  I asked two ladies at church to specifically pray at night for me.  They must of, because as I went to sleep I agreed with them for no pain.  No pain is what I received.

These verses are what my spirit needed to hear.  All these "things" that I go through are to fine tune me to be at the right hand of Jesus one day.

Lord, thank you for taking away the pain that has stricken me for weeks.  I will be joyful in all that is to come; sickness or heath.  I thank you for Wayne's job, his growth in you, and the healing which you will provide me.  You are my creator, my Lord, my healer, my Prince of Peace...I love you and ask that you bless those two ladies and anyone else who prays for us.  In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Thankfulness

I am so thankful.  Which, by the way, I have been thankful for 6 years.  Why? You ask.  Well, on Decemeber 28, 2005 our lives changed and fast.  Wayne had been let go from his job that he had been working since 1998.  Wayne's plans were to retire with this company.  We build our house based on that income and for 6 years have never returned to it.  So, God has stretched us and began to mold us.  We have learned to trust him with everything.  When I say everything, I do mean everything.  For instance, trusting him to provide us the basics: Food, Shelter, Clothing...He has done that, and well! God has humbled our hearts in many areas.  One would be careers.  Being a maintenance man for a church is tough stuff, especially when you didn't realize how dirty people really are! God has also taken our worldly blinders off, so we can see him. This is a big area for me.  I didn't realize that I could create idols in my life.  I was working so hard to live a Godly life, and then bang Wayne was almost killed.  On December 1, 2010, as I sat at Grady Hospital, helpless, but alert of the Lord, I realized that I had placed Wayne on a pedestal higher than God.  I cried out right then, as I was by myself with a few innocent by standers, "Lord, have made him higher than you?  Forgive me, Lord.  You are my master and my leader."  That week was the hardest for us all.  I also realized that I had placed our Homeschooling Adventure in my own leadership.  Yes, humble.  We have experienced that word.  I believe that the Lord has allowed us to go through this 6 years to allow us to be true Christians.  We know have both began seeing the things He has for us.  For example, tithing used to be a "thing" with Wayne, but no longer.  He knows that we owe everything we have to the Lord.  I am finding small things to be thankful for everyday.  Even though my health is down and I ache most of the time, I am thankful for those moments that I am not hurting and the small things I can do.  I am thankful for the man that God has placed in my life.  I am so blessed to have a husband that truely loves me and I him.  I pray that we continue to have a wonderful relationship with each other and enjoy one another.  I am blessed to have such wonderful parents that care for all of us and want the best for us.  I am blessed with children who love one another and care for the well being of Wayne and I.

Lord, you are our healer and master.  I praise you.  Thank you for everything I don't have and everything I do.  You have never forsaken me.  You always keep us safe.  Please show favor my husband and allow him to succeed with his career.  Open our hearts to hear your words, see through your eyes, and love like you.  As a time of reflection, Lord, I just sit here and reflect the Love you have shown me.  I couldn't imagine my life without you.  Please fill my whole family's hearts with Joy, Peace, Love, Respect, and Honor.  Thank you, Father.  In Jesus' name.  Amen

The Wilderness

Sometimes I think that we have been in the wilderness for a really long time.  It gets so tiring, but I feel like God is doing something awesome with our family.   I have prayed for years for Wayne to be the spiritual leader, provider for our family, and for him to be successful.  If is painful to see your husband try so hard and not achieve the things that he wants for his family.  This is not the way that I thought it would all work out, but I know it is for the glory of God.

As I received the news that Wayne was accepted for his new job, I just cried.  I am torn between happiness, fear of change, and sadness.  I was reminded at Bible Study that the wilderness was for 40 years and that it was caused mostly from the Israelites holding on to things of the "old self".  I pray that we separately we can surrender everything to Him and release anything that we are holding on to.  I will miss my husband very much (I cry daily), but I know that this is only for a little while.  If we just surrender to the Mighty One, the end is The Jordan :-)

Fear has no room here with me.  God has put in place a group of Godly men and woman that have surrounded me in prayer and encouragement.  I have people that I can call on if something happens. 

Thank you Lord for your Love and kindness towards my family and I.  I deserve death, but you love me so much that you do the smallest things that my heart desires.  You know my desires to be with my husband daily, or even weekly.  You have given him a relationship with his children that can never be taken away.  Thank you, Father.  I ask that you redeem him that and bring him home soon.  I will continue Lord to live daily and come to you with every breath.  You are my breath, my life, my comfort, my home.  I pray that we can lift your name higher than these "things" that happen to us.  I want you to be the center of all our praise.  Please bless the ones that are praying fervently for us, abundantly.  I pray for the desires of their heart to be fulfilled.  Wayne was blind and now he can see! Boy, Lord that is such a miracle within itself...so many testimonies.  You are wonderful, Father.  I love you and ask for your peace to reign down on my family each day. 

Wayne is seeing!

Wayne went to the doctor last Friday.  Most of the restrictions he had are lifted and he can see 20/80.  Wow, what a miracle.  To know that he was a guinea pig and that no one has tried to save an eye in this condition, makes me speechless.  Exhaustion is my everyday, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and I am so thankful.  Praise you Lord! There are big plans for our family, I can just feel it all over my body.  November 30th could have been the last day Wayne was on this earth, but God saved him.  That speaks mountains! 20/80, 1/2 height, and problems seeing with color is a small price to pay to have my knight and shinning armor still here to share this life with me. 

I thank everyone who has prayed for the last 7months, giving us a meal, watched our children, gave us a call to check on us, etc.  We have seen the hands and feet of Jesus.  It is an overwhelming feeling to describe.  Where ever you are in life, please believe me He hears you and sees your tears! Call out to him and give your life to him.  He knows the right path for you.  He sees the whole picture and the outcome to it all.  There is so much freedom in not "owning" any of this stuff down here. 

Lord I pray that you will bless those, who have blessed this family.  I lift them up to you right now.  You know their names and how many hairs are upon their head! You are our mighty warrior and with you all things are possible, even letting blind men see.  We thank you for our protection and pray that you will continue to rule our lives, move us where you will be honored.  I pray for those who haven't given everything to you.  I pray they will have an opportunity bigger than this life to know and understand that you with us, who can against us.  Thank you for dieing on the cross, so I can live freely.  I pray that our family will be united as one and worship you in a mighty way.  Thank you Lord.  Amen 

Mission: Possible

Wow! Do good for others feels so right.  The Lord tells us to go beyond ourselves and help the needy, orphans, and widows.  Last night our church went to a house in the ghetto that is used for after school tutoring and such for the kids.  I think of it as a safe house.  Well in just an hour, we were able to clean out the whole house and rip up all the carpet.  The ladies that run the place were overwhelmed with joy.  That just fills my heart :-)

Thank you Lord for giving my family and I able bodies.  I pray everyday that you will use our tongues for goodness and speak joy/peace into others.  Lord thank you for allowing me to see my husband use his brute for good.  He could see your joy overflow in him.  Thank you Lord, also, for the connections made last night.  I pray that we, as a family, will connect with other families to have lasting relationships.  Thank you Lord for the opportunity to reach out to others in a tangible way.  Thank you Lord for the church that you have called us to.  I pray Lord that you would bless them 10 fold for their obedience to you.  I thank you Lord for a place that we can worship you freely and all the "other stuff" is not present.  It's just You and I.  I, also, pray over any soul that is reading this right now, Lord.  I ask that you fill their void and give them the opportunity to Love you and know you.  I want them to have a deep relationship with you Lord that no one can shake.  You are my Rock, and without you there is nothing.  Thank You.  Amen.

To my husband-Happy Father's Day

Even though I know death may not be near, I would like the world to know who I hold dear. He is my knight and shinning armor.  I thank the Lord each day for him.  He cares for me when I am sick and keeps us safe in the night.   I appreciate his heart that is growing for the Lord more each day.  I anticipate the man that God has called him to be for us on this earth.  Team would be the word that I describe for us.  Thank you Wayne for loving our children and me.  You are our hero and encouragement for all to see.  Life is much more full with you in it each day.  Thursday will be a "big day" for you.  I pray, dear Lord, that you will see us through.  Please give us peace that only you can give and a healing that is shouted from the roof tops.  To live through such deep valleys, is such an honor.  We know that what comes at the other end is sweet blessings.

Encouragement when least expected

Today I recieved an email, which is not out of the ordinary :-).  I normally erase FW emails or subjects that don't seem to be of interest, but I felt this one should be read.  So, I just want to thank everyone who reads my blog when I post.  I pray that the Lord encourages you everyday and blesses your socks off! Here is the link of the blog that was FW to me.  Listen to the words of the song.  I have heard this song many times and it pierces my soul every time.  The Lord has allowed us to go through so much in the last couple of years.  At times, I have yelled out to him with extreme emotion.  This past week has been one of those times.  He has heard me and sent me a word through someone else. 

http://www.incourage.me/2011/06/blessings-in-raindrops.html

Lord, I am so thankful for the people that you have put in my life.  You have been molding me and I can feel you rubbing me into the great piece of artwork.  I pray that I am pouring your love, kindness, and encouragement to all that are near.  I pray that we are blessed 10 times more for anything that we do for you.  I ask you Lord to be with my co workers, family, friends, and patients.  Lord some are going through some lonely and hard struggles.  Please whisper wisdom and love into their ears.  I also ask you Lord to provide me with your words everyday.  I know that mine are filthy rags.  Thank you for loving us, even though sometimes I know that you just shake your head.  Lord, I pray for peace for my husband and our family during this next month.  I ask that you will work with Dr. Kim's hands to skillfully and miraculously heal Wayne's eye.  I pray Lord that you would give Solid direction and wisdom to Wayne for our future and his career.  Thank you for your provision for our family.  Thank you for your encouragement for me to Keep Going, when tears fill up and I just don't want to.  Lord thank you for giving me peace about my life and about things I struggle with every day.  Even though it doesn't seem like it when I am not focused, thanks for giving me words to shift me back.  I pray for success in every area you have me.  We thank you Lord for Life and our time here.  We thank you also for your beautiful creation that has brought us much of what we have.  You are our master, our creator, healer, comforter...

We love you Lord!

I hear you Lord

Lord, You are so good to me.  I praise your name in the highest.  I asked and I received.  You told me in John 14:14, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."  Amen.  I thank you for giving my family peace.  Uniting us together and helping us to understand one another.  Just a little while after I cried out to you, we came together and listen to one another.  You did just what I asked, you made your presence known.  You spoke through the pastor (as if you were speaking directly to me) and through a friend.  He who I questioned yesterday, my best friend in this journey of Earth said that he knew the sermon was for him, too.  Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you.  When I chose to be obedient to you father, I know that there was going to be hard mountains to climb and really low valleys.  While I am in these times, I pray I will continue to seek you.  Your truth will set us free:
John
¹² Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

These times are very hard, but today I can stand on the foundation of His truth and His death that is for me.  He has experienced everything, even death, so I can trust Him.  

To all who read, remember:

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

 ¹ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God^[a]; trust also in me. ² My Father’s house has plenty of room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Amen, Amen...If there doesn't seem like hope, just remember eternity with him is coming soon.  Please continue to remember me in your prayers, for peace, growth in our one true God, and for the Lord's guidance for our family during these times.  
 

Who is he Lord?

Lord,

I ask of you, "Who is he?"  The man that I adored and cherished.  The man that said he wanted to have me home with our children, so they can have morals and values.  Lord you tell me to be submissive and do unto my husband.  Please help me to hang on.  Being called Lazy and Selfish, because I do not want to work is so much to handle.  Who is he, Lord.  I know this storm will pass.  Lord, I pray that you will help me to know that you are near and that you hear my cries for help.  I pray that you will give me guidance to be obedient to you and not earthly man.  Protect my children from things that will affect Your truth.  Open their eyes to the things of you Lord, in my absence.  Help me to continue to have the passion that you give for my marriage.  Thank you for Lord for this time.  Help it grow me stronger with you and your truth.  Please Lord allow this time to help me to have a strong relationship with my family, including my children and husband.  You are mighty and your ways are awesome.  My thoughts and desires are mere dirty, filthy rags.  Lord make your ways be mine.  Lord you know the desire of my heart, so change them or change my surroundings.  Marriage and family is worth fighting for, Lord.  I desire to have a strong family that stands on the foundation of you.  Lord I pray for peace for my heart, right now Lord as I type this...and I pray that you will answer my pleas, so I can show those reading that you are mighty.  Have another testimony to share with others.

Okay....

Just to let everyone know, we need some more prayer! My daughter was riding William on the golf cart at my daddy's house today and he fell off.  When he fell he held on for dear life, which caused major road rash from the driveway. We spent the day in the ER where they live to make sure there was no internal bleeding and broken ribs.  God is good...only very painful road rash.  There is a new law in the house and my parents: NO children under the age of 15 are allowed to drive anything! No matter how responsible.  We are tired and exhausted.  Please pray for a quick recovery and that everyone can get good sleep.  I have a long day at work tomorrow and Wayne has a long time of being by William's side.  Thank you for your faithful support. 

William's Surgery

Thursday was a big day for William.  Due to the fact that he had a rough experience with his stitches, just last Saturday, he wasn't happy at all.  It took for men to hold him down to get his stitches in and a couple in the OR to hold him down to put the gas mask on him. Each time, Wayne was one of those men.  He said he felt so sad.  William just looked at him, as his body was just a fighting and yelled through the mask, "Nooo, Daddy!!".  It looked like Wayne had teared up when he came back to me.  When he woke up from anesthesia, he was very scared and started pull his IVs out of his arm!

Once we got home, he was able to rest.  He slept for several hours and when he woke up he ate (a lot) 4 things of Jello and two big bowls of rice.  LOL  He wanted to go outside so I held him and rocked him on the patio.  He asked me, "Mommy do you hear dat?".  I asked him what I was supposed to hear.  He said, "The wind."  My heart was so heavy! Later that night we went for a walk.  He asked Wayne to push his stroller over the gravel.  You can tell in his face and smile that he was listening to the wheels going over the gravel. 

It is amazing what we take for granite everyday.  The wind, the sound of gravel being ridden on, Wow! God is so amazing, right.  He allowed us to have ears to hear, and eyes to see.  Lord I pray that I will hear you and see you always! You are so mighty and I love your path for me.  I wouldn't do it differently, even if you asked.  Sometimes I wish it was a little easier, but then I realize I wouldn't get the best ending.  Thank you for loving me and my family.  Thank you that Wayne has one good eye to see his children and me with.  Lord I pray that you will use him in a mighty way for you.  Thank you Lord for William's ears! You have restored them and I pray that we feel his ears with your words.  Lord protect my children, my family.  Raise us up to be mighty warriors for you.  Amen.

1ST Trip to the ER

Okay, Okay.  I know that you are thinking what next! Well, I came home from work about 3:30 and started to contribute to the days tasks.  While Wayne was cutting the back yard, William snuck over the fence and got into my van.  When he got his "prize", the candy necklace that his sister made me a few weeks ago that was hanging on my rear view mirror, he proceeded to get out of the van.  That's when it happened! He slammed the door (driver's side) on his THUMB.  Ouch! He screamed for Daddy and I came running out of the house.  Well, if you know me I do not go running to the hospital when ever something goes wrong, but blood was going everywhere!  So, I yelled out to everyone, "Get in the car, Get in the car!".  Dinner was just about done, but it was left.  Everything was left the way it was...that is where having good neighbors comes into play.  Heidi took care of everything.  I have done that for her too :-) We raced to Urgent Care on Yorktown Drive near the hospital (Fayette).  We were only there for 2 1/2 hours.  Wayne and 3 other people had to hold him down just to let them open the wound further to assess the situation.  He busted it up where a main nerve is, so they had to 1st take X-Rays to make sure it wasn't broken and then when they came back clear, they had to open the wound to see if the nerve was damaged.  God is so good to us ALL THE TIME :0) No nerve damage and not broken, was the verdict.  He was held down again and stitches were put in.  This was so hard for Wayne.  He said that William was crying so hard that he was sweating! Poor guy! Thank you Lord that you are always in control.  You are so mighty and protect us through our lives here on earth.  Thank you for allowing William not to have a broken thumb and no nerve damage.  Please allow his surgery to still take place Thursday, even though the hospital gave him IBprophen.  I ask all of you to pray for William and his healing and for his surgery to continue as planned.  I will keep you updated.  

Surgery Date

We are going to the MD today for William's Pre-Op.  Surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, March 24th.  We have to be there at 7am, but the surgery will not take place until 9am.  I feel peace from the Lord.  I believe this will allow William to be so much better.  Even open up new doors for him learning wise.  They said that we may need speech therapy for him, but I'm sure that Wayne and I can work on him for a while before doing that step.  Please continue to pray for our family and for the healing Wayne and William.  Thank you for your prayers and being faithful to us and the Lord.  I don't know what people would do without knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We need to come together and pray for those people, so they can feel the peace and comfort that He brings.

Giveaway-Great Stuff Check it out

Ten Days of Biblical Parenting Giveaways

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Daniel

Welcome to “Doorposts of Your House,” a new blog dedicated to Biblical parenting, character training, and Bible study!
Each day for the next ten days, we will be giving away a different book, chart, or other product from Doorposts. You are welcome to enter as many giveaways as you like. Our goal is to help get the word out about this blog, and give away lots of helpful parenting materials at the same time.
After ten days of giveaways, we will draw one grand prize winner from all the entries. The grand prize is a complete set of ALL Doorposts’ products (read about it here)!
To start off our first day of blogging, today’s giveaway is a copy of Plants Grown Up or Polished Cornerstones (winner’s choice).  This book is a complete, Bible-based character training resource you can use with your sons (or daughters) from age four or five on up to adulthood. Hundreds of Bible studies and other practical projects are all organized under fifty different Biblical character qualities we want to encourage in our children.

Prayer for William

Wayne took William to the ENT today (we know he is have hearing issues, and LOTS of ear infections). There is significant hearing loss & adenoids R swollen & that is why he is having trouble breathing through his nose. He failed the audiology test in both ears he has learned 2 talk from words heard & reading lips. They will call us Monday to confirm a surgery date

I want to thank Our God 4 peace in my life.He is so much BIGGER than all these things that continue 2 happen 2us.We have seen such victory & continue 2 Pray that God will give us favor.God has given me so much, more than I could ever ask 4 in my life.I pray that I will hear him say, "Well done my good and faithful servant". I will keep U posted. Thank U 4 praying 4 My family.

 

Giving the Lord the Glory

We have been trying to settle into our "new" lives since Feb 3rd.  I certainly feel like I am missing out on my children and husband more and more each day.  I feel like all the work that I have done for 11 years has just gone in a blink of an eye.  Then, in a moment, God gave me words from a good friend.  He reminds me that these things that were before, were not even "mine".  They're His.  The Lord of Lords, my Lord and Saviors, the Creator of the stars.  Wow, sometimes these euphoria moments are refreshing but hard to take in.  "What do you mean it isn't about me!" :-) This is sometime I truly needed to be reminded of today.  Thank you Lord for giving me that word tonight.  You have such awesome things for our family and I don't want to get in the way of that.  Wayne is becoming that man that I know you created him to be....and as Pastor Brent said today, "A spirit filled life is a tested one".  Man, than I know we are on the right path, AMEN! Lord I pray that we are your good and faithful servants that Glorify your name in our words, actions, and thoughts.  Thank you Lord for Freedom, freedom of worry and stress.  Living day to day and giving you each of them feels so good.  My ways are like dirty rags thrown to the side, thank you for adding your love, grace, and mercy to me!  I love you Lord. 

Not the News we'd hope for...

Wayne's eye is not doing as well as expected.  The doctor saw scar tissue on the nerves, which cannot be repaired.  He said he was very disappointed to see that today.  It was not from the first surgery, it was from the accident. There is inflammation going on and he has to start taking the steroidal eye drops again (which dialate his eyes, so he will have to wear his eye patch more/almost always).  The drops cause great sensitivity to light.  He is still having sensitivity to noise too? Which doesn't help when you have 3 very LOUD children, that don't quiet down when asked.  The doctor wants us to wait...Our next check up will be in about 2 months.  He also wants us to try corrective lenses (glasses), but maybe 4-6 months down the road.  The sight has not improved.  It has black spots, which they thing from the OCT scan today, is from the scar tissue.  The glasses are the last attempt at more vision, but we have to wait until it stabilizes. 

I ask you to continue to pray for our family, however God and you see fit. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Life around the Lisk house has been a bit unusual, to say the least.  I have been working now for 3 weeks.  I really like the job; it's challenges me in some way everyday, but I have caught on rather quickly.  The people are friendly too, which helps:-)

The children finally got to go to school last Monday and Yesterday.  Now, they see why they had all the work to do! They really like the teachers and have already made some friends.  The first two weeks of doing their work was crazy.  Lots of tears and drama :-), but this week has gone more smoothly.  They know that their teachers are asking them to do the work, not me.  They actually are doing the work with more ease and anticipate going to class.  Thank you Lord.  You are mighty and awesome.  I've prayed for you to intervene with this, and boy have you.  Thank you, Thank you....

I was driving to work the other day and was thinking about all of what life is bringing us.  I had been praying for months, possible a year, for Wayne and I to love each other, respect, and honor each other the way the Lord would.  The Lord has just a funny humor, right! He swapped our roles.  This way we COULD understand what each of us were going through every day.  Man, we have had some conversations over the last 3 weeks! Coming home after working all day; it's hard to quickly adjust to family life...I pray all the way home to have the energy to love and dote on my children and husband.  Now, I know what Wayne went through after working a 14-16 hour shift at work.  I work about 42 hours a week, if I don't work on Saturday.  Wayne has stated how hard doing school, keeping the house, managing William, and doing "his" work around the house is almost impossible.  He said that he understands why I was so tired and why I wanted time to myself :0)

Lord, even though this journey you have me on is not what I saw for our family, I thank you.  I know that you can see now until forever in one glimpse.  You know what my plans are, and that is so relieving.  I feel so free Lord....I do not want to carry any more on me.  You are my creator.  You have sent your son to die and carry these burdens for me.  I do not want to "make plans" for myself or my family.  I want your plans Lord.  I pray Lord that you would give me the strength to lift you up in all I do.  I pray for abundant blessings on our family.  You have BLESSED us so much, but I pray for abundant spiritual blessings.  Let our lives live for you, without any words.  Let our actions and our heart shine your love and grace on others.  I pray Lord that I would see everyone that I come in contact with, like you see them.  You say, Lord, to be doers of the word.  Let my family be doers.  I Thank you Lord for change! Satan wanted all of this to split our marriage, to ruin our home, but you have not.  These changes are glorifying you.  I pray for everyone reading this blog.  Lord, bless them immensely.  Change them radically, so they can shout from the roof tops of your Love and mercy.  Thank you, I love you, Lord.  In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen!

Please pray for Wayne! His next doctor's appointment is Thursday (2 1/2 days).  We are praying they will schedule another surgery :0) Pray for God's touch with the doctor's hands, and good report (more vision).

A new Year to Celebrate

I feel like Satan has really come against us in the past month, but God means for good.  Wayne's check up last Thursday was promising.  Doctor Payne said that Wayne's eye looked MUCH better than he ever expected it would right now.  His vision is 20/400, which is still legally blind, but hopefully it will increase over time.  He has blackout spots in his vision too.  The doctor said that the retina was fully attached and seems stable.  When we go to back in February, he said that he would consider surgery if the eye continues to show this progress.  Wow! That is 3-4 months earlier than expected. 

God has also given us two new items to go along with the new year: a job for me and a school for the kids.  We have solely homeschooled here at the house for 6 years.  I contacted a co-op, telling them about what happened and why we need there services during the following school year.  They immediately said to start Monday.  Wow! Another God thing.  So, the girls will go once a week to the co-op.  They will do History, Science, Devotion/Bible, and English.  They even get to enjoy lunch together.  This will great for time management, accountability for Wayne and I, and a time for good friendships to form.  The co-op has events throughout the year and real closeness.God has even provided the logistics out for us to get them home!

My job is with Drayer Physical Therapy Institute.  The company is wonderful.  They started a school in Hatti for the children there and donate to it regularly.  They gave away $3 million of physical therapy to people how couldn't afford it just this year.  They do not allow $$ or insurance to get in the way of healing.  I believe that God has sent this job to me.  I prayed to the Lord before I even started looking for a job, that he would send me somewhere that would glorify him and I would enjoy.  I want to enjoy getting up, have a purpose in my steps, as I leave what I know (my home and children) everyday.  He has delivered it.  In a staff meeting yesterday, the center manager stated that we must strive to put other people before ourselves.  I thought to myself: "Isn't that what life's about?  Didn't Jesus tell us to do that?"  I know that I am human and I will make mistakes, but I pray that I will draw closer to the one who sent me here and listen for where he wants me to go. 

So, as Monday fast approaches, we will begin a new chapter in our lives.  For all of those faithful readers and prayer warriors, please continue to lift our family up.  Wayne needs to draw closer to the Lord, and find out what his next steps will be.  Natalie and Anna need comfort from the changes of positions in the house and the different way school will be done.  I need a peaceful spirit as I leave them each day.  William needs a calmness so that Daddy can get adjusted to things here.  You have been wonderful and I will keep you posted.