Yesterday is experience. Tomorrow is hope. Today is getting from one to the other as best we can.
John M. Henry
I think I really like this statement! It holds great truth.
And we are getting there....
We recently sat down to make a list of all the things we wanted to do in and around the house. Then we organized the list.....now we just need to prioritize it and get started! There's painting, taking in the back porch, deck building, living room remodeling, garden planting, and more! WHEW! I get tired just talking about it, but it's going to be great as we get things done. It's all about making our house our home. And we are getting there....
(pictures will come as we work I promise!)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
...Full
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
It was Easter 1983 in an OLD church in Ft. Worth, TX, the day I was baptized. I was 11 years old. Having been a pastor's kid since the age of 6, and having grown up in church before that, I had the understanding needed to take this step. And so I began the next phase of my Walk of Faith..............
It was December 15, 1983 in Poteau, OK and just as I was about to get ready for bed there was a knock at the door. I answered it to find policemen asking for my dad. Dad stepped out on the porch to talk and came back in a bit later a shattered man. My sister had been murdered. “How could God allow this to happen?” was my cry. It was 10 years before I finally came to terms with my grief and allowed God's healing of my heart. During those years I was not joyful, I did not pray, I was not thankful....I wanted nothing to do with God.....I was MAD! But that's not the face I showed to the world and somehow God used that one small part of me that wasn't walled off. Looking back God was working through me and around me that whole time. But I had put blinders on and didn't want to see. God comforted my friends through me, God brought my husband to be into a relationship with Him partially through me....but I didn't see and couldn't rejoice in Work of the Lord. I was married and pregnant with our second child before I fell on my face before the Almighty and found myself scooped up into the Everlasting, Loving arms of my Father..................
Now it's February 27, 2009 and my little two and half year old boy goes into a seizure in my arms, and dies. I cling to the only thing I know will help: the Hand of my God. How different my reaction, how different the results. God provided me with a peace that passes all understanding, He provided me friends who provided that human touch, He gave me strength, He gave me comfort. And I rejoiced in knowing I would one day see my little one again, I celebrated the two and half years of memories I had. And I sought to find how God would be glorified.
I was/am joyFULL, I was/am thankFULL, and continue to Pray and give Glory unto my God. God is the Great Provider, the Great Comforter, and the Ultimate Peacemaker. I strive daily, moment by moment to let the Light of God shine through me so that all around me will be drawn to Him, and once in awhile He provides me with glimpse of His power at work.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
It was Easter 1983 in an OLD church in Ft. Worth, TX, the day I was baptized. I was 11 years old. Having been a pastor's kid since the age of 6, and having grown up in church before that, I had the understanding needed to take this step. And so I began the next phase of my Walk of Faith..............
It was December 15, 1983 in Poteau, OK and just as I was about to get ready for bed there was a knock at the door. I answered it to find policemen asking for my dad. Dad stepped out on the porch to talk and came back in a bit later a shattered man. My sister had been murdered. “How could God allow this to happen?” was my cry. It was 10 years before I finally came to terms with my grief and allowed God's healing of my heart. During those years I was not joyful, I did not pray, I was not thankful....I wanted nothing to do with God.....I was MAD! But that's not the face I showed to the world and somehow God used that one small part of me that wasn't walled off. Looking back God was working through me and around me that whole time. But I had put blinders on and didn't want to see. God comforted my friends through me, God brought my husband to be into a relationship with Him partially through me....but I didn't see and couldn't rejoice in Work of the Lord. I was married and pregnant with our second child before I fell on my face before the Almighty and found myself scooped up into the Everlasting, Loving arms of my Father..................
Now it's February 27, 2009 and my little two and half year old boy goes into a seizure in my arms, and dies. I cling to the only thing I know will help: the Hand of my God. How different my reaction, how different the results. God provided me with a peace that passes all understanding, He provided me friends who provided that human touch, He gave me strength, He gave me comfort. And I rejoiced in knowing I would one day see my little one again, I celebrated the two and half years of memories I had. And I sought to find how God would be glorified.
I was/am joyFULL, I was/am thankFULL, and continue to Pray and give Glory unto my God. God is the Great Provider, the Great Comforter, and the Ultimate Peacemaker. I strive daily, moment by moment to let the Light of God shine through me so that all around me will be drawn to Him, and once in awhile He provides me with glimpse of His power at work.
more tumbling thoughts
Mark 11:24 NIV
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Do you mean it? When you pray for someone do you mean it? We ask for peace for someone in a troubled time, we ask for strength for someone when they are down, we pray for comfort for one who is in pain, and we pray for healing for the sick. Why are we always so surprised when our prayers are answered? Do we mean it when we pray? I know I am earnest in the moment.....but what about tomorrow? Do I still mean it?
Recently, as we experienced our own tragedy, we had more people than we could possibly begin to count praying for us. I asked people to pray specifically for peace and comfort for our family. And you know what???? God provided! Amazing huh?? We shouldn't be so surprised. God is our Great Provider! He hears and answers our prayers! He is faithful even in the smallest of details!
A friend, during this time, has been approached repeatedly by others wondering how it is I have a smile on my face, how can I be so calm and full of joy. And she lowers the boom! “What do you mean?” she asks, “Didn't you pray for peace and comfort for her? Did you expect God NOT to answer your prayer?” I say you go girl!
But how often are we the ones asking “How?” Is our Faith not even the size of the mustard seed? Or do we think God is too busy? Pray BELIEVING, KNOW that God will answer, and REJOICE REJOICE REJOICE! Give God the Glory that is HIS! Amen and Amen.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Do you mean it? When you pray for someone do you mean it? We ask for peace for someone in a troubled time, we ask for strength for someone when they are down, we pray for comfort for one who is in pain, and we pray for healing for the sick. Why are we always so surprised when our prayers are answered? Do we mean it when we pray? I know I am earnest in the moment.....but what about tomorrow? Do I still mean it?
Recently, as we experienced our own tragedy, we had more people than we could possibly begin to count praying for us. I asked people to pray specifically for peace and comfort for our family. And you know what???? God provided! Amazing huh?? We shouldn't be so surprised. God is our Great Provider! He hears and answers our prayers! He is faithful even in the smallest of details!
A friend, during this time, has been approached repeatedly by others wondering how it is I have a smile on my face, how can I be so calm and full of joy. And she lowers the boom! “What do you mean?” she asks, “Didn't you pray for peace and comfort for her? Did you expect God NOT to answer your prayer?” I say you go girl!
But how often are we the ones asking “How?” Is our Faith not even the size of the mustard seed? Or do we think God is too busy? Pray BELIEVING, KNOW that God will answer, and REJOICE REJOICE REJOICE! Give God the Glory that is HIS! Amen and Amen.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tumbling thoughts this morning
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
~ Romans 12:16, NLT
I subscribe to KLOVE's Encouraging Word of the Day. This is today's. And my mind starts working.....
how often do we find ourselves on top of the "I'm so good for God" pedestal? Now I'm not saying we shouldn't strive to be "Good for God", but where is our attitude? What's in our heart? Are we striving to be there for us?...thinking we are doing it for God? Or are we giving, campassionate, and Loving our way to being "good for God"? Are we looking around and saying oh those poor people? or are we trying to make a difference for someone else? Is our way the only way? or are we attuned to God and listening for His instruction so that we do it His way? Aren't we just ordinary people too? Like Noah and Moses and Abraham, Mary and Peter and John....Ordinary people leading ordinary lives... not on a pedestal...called by God, instructed by God, to do extrordinary things.
So if you find yourself with a spiritual nosebleed,or maybe a little altitude sickness, Look around you.....it might be time to take a leap of Faith and join the rest of the ordinary people....God just might be calling you to make a difference.
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