Refuge for a Single Mom

Yep!  You heard me right!  Give up!  Quit fighting, fumbling, stressing, wrestling and worrying with all this junk that you carry around and give it up - to God!

Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life.  Luke 21:34

This is something I’m working very diligently with right now.  I have a tendency to be very persistent and stubborn.  So when trials and adversity hit, nothing is any different.  I forget to go to God; I think that I can do it on my own and Viola!  I end up frustrated, stressed and very grouchy!  (Ask my kids!)  What did I accomplish?  Absolutely nothing!

But the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and chokes the word, and it becomes unfruitful.  Mark 4:19

There are several issues that I seem to be dealing with over and over right now.  I’ve mentioned most of them here (a few times) so I won’t beat the horse.  But usually, about once a month or so, I feel like I could literally explode.  I feel like every morning when I wake up I’m already on the edge.  So every time something happens, large or small, I just blow!  There are times when I physically feel like my head will simply shatter and blow right off the top of my head – like a volcano!

I think this is something that is especially characteristic of single moms, although I don’t think that we have the patent on it.  I know a lot of married moms that are seemingly raising their children as single moms.  They’re on their own all week, every other week or sometimes weeks at a time – they too understand this very well.

You are solely responsible for every function in your home, every event, every chore and errand.  You raise your children, discipline your children, attempt to have quality time with your children, maintain your home, and usually, we’re the sole breadwinner.

Now add the unusual junk, like a broken down vehicle, leaky roof, unexpected dental, optical or heath issues, or the all to well known and much dreaded TEMPER TANTRUM and well, that’s it!  There goes the “Mamma’s Peak”!  Come on!  How on Earth are we supposed to do all this?  How are we supposed to manage?  How can anyone expect us to be ‘Suzie Sunshine’ all the time?

Simple!  We go to God!  We give it all up and put all this junk in His hands.  Honestly, it really isn’t that simple, or I wouldn’t be here talking about it.  Indeed, we make it very difficult!  We hang on, laboring over it all wondering why we’re so exhausted, drained and irritable!

Duh!  We just aren’t made to handle it all alone!  God is patiently waiting for us to hand it all over to Him and we need to!  For us!  For our health!  For our kids!  For our family!  For our friends!  And, whether we realize it or not, for God!  He truly and passionately wants for us to admit how much we need Him!

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.  Nahum 1:7

GIVE UP!  LET IT GO!  LET GOD!

Do you understand the words that are comin’ outta my mouth?

GIVE UP!  LET IT GO!  LET GOD!

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  John 14:1

He has the shoulders to bear our burdens Sisters!  He can and He will!  Praise God!

My God in His lovingkindness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes.  Psalm 59:10

For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.  Isaiah 25:40

Labels: Anxiety, Comfort, Control, Discouraged, Strength, Tests, Tolerance, Trials

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!
8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  II Corinthians 12:7-10

Last week was very interesting and very busy – to say the least.  Among a lot of other things, I’ve been feeling very discouraged and very alone.

Fortunately, no matter how rough I get to feeling, no matter the reason, I always have one true and loyal friend that is always there, always listening and best of all, loves me unconditionally.  (Thank goodness for that!!!)  *smile*

So, while praying one night last week, I got to thinking about how much God has touched my life, how much He has changed me.  I got to thinking about who and what I was without Him and how far along He has brought me.  

Imagine a puppet, a marionette, if you will, with just a string or two.  Kind of flopping around aimlessly, with little to no direction, no coordination, no charisma, no personality…nothing.  That was me – totally!

Like a lot of people, I too ‘asked Jesus into my heart’ at a very tender age, during some highly emotional altar call at Church Camp, however, for many years, I wandered, I rebelled, I went in every direction but the one God called me to.  Therefore, I don’t consider myself truly saved until 4 ½ years ago when I deeply and honestly repented of my sins and made a total commitment to follow Him and glorify Him in everything I do.

In this very short, but productive 4 ½ years, God has added more ‘strings’ and ‘details’ to this ‘doll’.  By His grace I have become more focused, more convicted, more committed, and overall, more beautiful and coordinated in every way!

For a little while now, I’ve been working on a little side project - something that is extremely dear to my heart and has no monetary value whatsoever.  Just a true ‘vision’ to do the will of God and glorify Him in the best way I know how.  I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet, but it’s been coming along quite well.  I truly believe that this is something that God would have me to do!

On Friday, I suffered a bit of a setback.  Something someone said led me to believe that I had nothing to offer, that I couldn’t be a good example to others because I’m essentially not a finished product.  Well, Hello?  Who is?  Can I not witness to the grace of God and His goodness in my life?  Can I not be a good example because of my accomplishments thus far?

The thing here is this; we MUST be happy and content with WHERE we are in Christ, WHO we are in Christ!  Not that we don’t continue to strive to be more, to be a ‘better’ version, or to be all that we can be through Him on this Earth, but we have to love ourselves and be happy where we are.  We can’t consume ourselves with being someone or something we are not.

This has been one of the hardest lessons for me to learn.  I am typically the type of person to care what other people think and to over analyze everything!  The past, the future - usually a lot of things that I have no control over anyway.  One thing I found that I could control, however, was me.  I could ‘decide’ to be happy and joyful and let things roll.  I can praise God for the lessons I’ve learned, the blessings I’ve received and the victory that He has planned for me!


10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.  Philippians 4:10-14

Only when we are satisfied with what He has given us, will He trust us with more.  More blessings, more responsibility, etc.

Obviously, we all have a long way to go.  We all have ‘fine-tuning’ to undergo.  In the meantime, however, most of us have learned a lot and we’ve experience a lot.  Therefore, most of us have some insight to lend to those in a different place, those still struggling to surrender to the will of God.  (They just have to be willing to listen.)

Someday, when God is truly finished, and I am home in Heaven with Him, I will finally get to be a REAL little girl!  In the meantime, I’m just me.  –The ME that God created me to be trusting Him to guide my strings in the right directions!

Labels: Believe, Control, Encouragement, Growth, Learning, Positive Thinking, Praise, Way of Thinking

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.  Deuteronomy 30:14

But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART "-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching.  Romans 10:8

On Wednesday, our pastor, and the men of the church, prepared a fantastic Mother`s Day meal for us ladies.  They prepared a delicious mushroomy, cheesy, puffy appetizer thingy (that`s the `official` name now), crab soup and for the main course we had steak, mashed, garlic potatoes and asparagus wrapped in bacon!  Yum! Yum!  (Our pastor is quite the chef!)  They even served us!

It was a fantastic dinner.  We spent some wonderful time together with our mothers and children and we all ate until we were stuffed.  In fact, I spoke to the pastor`s wife on Thursday morning and we both still felt stuffed!  *smile*

Later that day, I got to thinking about how the Lord feeds us with His Word.  It is the `food` which our soul so desperately needs and hungers for.

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.  Job 23:12

You know how you get SO hungry that your stomach feels like it will jump out of your skin and serve itself?  I think our spirit can get that way too!

This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.  Psalm 119:50

Sometimes, when we are very busy or the trials of life are a bit overwhelming, we tend to neglect the needs of our spirit.  We think that we can handle the pressure on our own and off we go to `deal` with things.  Neglecting the one true nourishment we always need!

But when the sun sets, he will be clean, and afterward he shall eat of the holy gifts, for it is his food.  Leviticus 22:7

Maybe we just feel like our problems are too `today` for the words in the Bible?  Maybe we don`t think that the authors of the Bible anticipated the problems we`d face `today`?

23 For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

24 For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.  THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,

25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”  And this is the word which was preached to you.  I Peter 1:23-25

You have been born again from a seed that is imperishable through the living and enduring Word!  The Word of the Lord endures forever!  The things of the flesh, like grass will wither and pass away.  The pain, suffering, disappointment and sadness of the flesh is temporary!  The Word of God AND His promises, however, they endure!  They last FOREVER!  Through EVERYTHING!

It doesn`t really matter what we are `hungry` for!  Whether it be peace, joy, love, friendship, companionship, our Father God in Heaven is the most readily available and constant source we will ever need!

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.  Proverbs 30:5

Who gives food to all flesh, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.  Psalm 136:25

That says`tested.  According to another translation it reads “proven to be true”.  It also says that His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Honestly, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word.  It is truly a manual for living a life pleasing to Him and for life everlasting.  

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  II Corinthians 9:10

It is also important to not only guide ourselves and trust in the Lord, but to share that with non-believers.  So many people out there are lost.  So many people think they are on the `right track`!  Maybe WE think we`re on the `right track`?  The only way to truly glorify God is to use His manual!  Feed your soul!  If you are confused, hurt, angry, lost, trust in His way!  It is a sure fire way to help yourself and those around you!

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.  I Timothy 4:6

Labels: Comfort, Discouraged, Encouragement, Learning, Restoration, Salvation, Victory, Way of Thinking

How often do you hear `thank you`?

I don`t hear it very often.  It seems like I do so much for other people and don`t get very much appreciation at all.  Sometimes this really gets to me – like today!

I don`t know about you, but I find myself often faced with the decision of leaving a group or place because I feel more like a doormat than a member.  I love, hug, pray or lend an ear, but I never get much in return.  It would seem like there is never anyone there for me.

This is always a huge dilemma for me.  I try to have a heart to give and a mind to care and especially a spirit full of the love of God.  As human beings, this is really tough.  We want to be loved and cared for too!  We yearn for fellowship and people that miss us when we are away!  Unfortunately, the enemy is always there to lend a hand.  Reminding us how alone we feel or how we don`t `fit in` or that we`re `left out` all the time!

Fortunately, sitting here ranting about this does make me think of a few people in my life that do thank me, miss me or just all around care and that is comforting.  In fact, it lends to that saying about quality and NOT quantity!  Or perhaps, the one about not being able to please all of the people all of the time?

So then, if people are thankless, rude, thoughtless, inconsiderate, etc., should we remove them from our lives?  Should we discontinue a work that we feel called to do?  How much do we really have to bear before we can `call it quits` on something (or someone)?

This particular verse comes to mind (and is one of my favorites):

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.  Proverbs 31:31

You know, this would imply that our true rewards aren`t even here on Earth!  Yes, surely God will bless His daughters and provide generously for them.  We will receive our true praise and appreciation from the Lord.

Our pastor has been discussing this a lot lately, in part because of some issues at church, but mostly because it is Godly to give and not worry so much about the receiving end!

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.  I Corinthians 13:3

Everything we do, we need to do for, through, about, because of, and with God.  Plain and simple!  If we do anything, including give, with the intention of receiving gratitude, appreciation or recognition from other human beings, our efforts are futile!  We may receive those things in the long run, but primarily, before all else, we have to live in a way pleasing to God.  A way which glorifies Him.

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”  
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.  Ephesians 5:11

Labels: Decisions, Discouraged, Generosity, Godliness, Perseverance, Righteousness, Way of Thinking

Once again, I’m revisiting a topic I’ve talked about before.  Once again, it is something that is weighing very heavily on my heart and I am dealing with it every day.  (Actually, I’m NOT dealing with it, which explains the need for revisiting it!)

As I’ve mentioned before, my family is faithfully searching for a new home.  Not just a house, not just a place to move, a HOME!  Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE moving?  I only want to do this once and do it right!  Under the circumstances, we need something a little more unique than what is traditionally available on the market.  (Within a reasonable price range that is.)  The kids need their own bedrooms, Mom needs a ‘suite’, and I need a bedroom and an office.  We surely need more bathrooms!  We’d ‘like’ a family room and perhaps an exercise room.  We need a garage.  We really, really, really want a nice, level, private yard…and the list goes on!  *smile*

We are once again entertaining the idea of buying a modular.  We found the exact modular we want and have planned out our basement!  We would end up with 3900 square feet of living space and approximately 500 square feet of garage!  (Right now the four of us are essentially living in 900 square feet of living space!)

Well, in a sincere effort to not insult anyone involved or resort to name-calling, I will just tell you that people are often not what they seem, although they say a lot of things - they don’t mean any of them and unfortunately, promises are not always kept.  I am finding myself, once again, very disheartened.

I’m struggling so much with this.  I know that God has a perfect plan for His people.  I know that He wants us to live comfortably and happily.  I know that He would not have us suffer!

So why then?  Why are we still in this same small house that desperately needs some TLC?  Why are we still subjected to neighbors that ‘flash’ us, damage our property, keep us up late at night and are all around inconsiderate?  Why?

Because, for whatever reason or purpose, it just isn’t God’s time yet.  Either something isn’t available for us yet, we need to ‘do’ something here before we move…I don’t know.  I have no clue whatsoever!

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

All I know for sure is this, God will not allow us to continue to suffer like this.  He will not allow us to continue to suffer sleepless nights, to be cramped, stressed, fearful, insulted, or anything else that is going on.

For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

It is so hard, as human beings, immersed in this sinful, material, ‘natural’ world to think outside of the box.  To think within the box, or the promises of, God.  It is times like this, times of disappointment, heartache, hardship, frustration, that we need to look to Him and to His word.  To not fall victim to the deceit and the lies of the enemy.  Unlike every other promise or declaration, those of our Lord and Savior are true!

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.  I Peter 5:6-11

Labels: Anxiety, Encouragement, Patience, Perseverance, Timing

Grace: “The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.”
(According to: Dictionary.com)

“Amazing Grace” is seriously one of my favorite hymns.  I`ve sung it to both of my children (when they were too little to offer their opinions on my singing talents or lack thereof) and there is just something so deep-down, spiritual about “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes!  -Don`t you think?

Well, color me surprised when our Women`s Study group listened to a story about the life of `John Newton`.  He`s the fella that wrote “Amazing Grace”.  This is a pretty powerful and interesting story.  I thought it would be fun to share!

John Newton (1725 – 1807), was the son of a merchant ship commander.  He began a life at sea at the age of 11.  On March 4, 1744, he was press ganged (to force (men) into the army or navy) into service as a seaman on the man-of-war, the H. M. S. Harwich.

Meanwhile, he was in terribly in love with this gal, Mary Catlett.  Although they loved one another very much, she refused to marry him because he was not a believer.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  II Corinthians 6:14

While on the H. M. S. Harwich he longed to be back on land and with Mary.  He even deserted at one point, only to be captured and publicly flogged.  It was then, that he was demoted from midshipman to common seaman.  He ended up serving on a slave trading ship and was even abused himself.

He was gone for a long time, but Mary waited for him.  During one of his trips, he was caught in a terrible hurricane.  It didn`t take him long to finally seek the refuge of God.  He finally made his way back to England and found Mary.  They were married.  He even ended up becoming a minister!  Somewhere along the line, he wrote “Amazing Grace”.

His life and trials are truly remarkable and obviously, this is a gross overview!  (I was never very good at book reports either!)

For those of you that love to read and learn, here are some more detailed stories about John Newton.  I encourage you to read more.  This is truly a great testimony to the deliverance that God has to offer even the most lost of His children!

Wikipedia: John Newton

The Cowper and Newton Museum: John Newton

Amazing Grace: The Story of John Newton

Amazing Grace, The Story of John Newton, Author of America's Favorite Hymn

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav`d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

`Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev`d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ`d!

Thro` many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
`Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis`d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call`d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

Labels: Important People

The mission statement for the National Day of Prayer Task Force:

The National Day of Prayer Task Force`s mission is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the five centers of power: Church, Education, Family, Government and Media.

To read more about the National Day of Prayer, what it is and how it got started, check them out here.

(NOTE:  Their website is moving very slow today.  Regardless, be sure to check them out at some point!  The information and history makes for a really good read!)

This certainly is an event worth celebrating!  Don`t you think?

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  II Chronicles 7:14

Obviously, we cannot physically `gather`, but we can come together in spirit and agreement and pray to our Father God for the needs of our Nation.

Most importantly, before you do anything else, observe 3 minutes of silence.  Reflect and search your heart.  If you have never done so, or have strayed for a while, seek personal repentance.  Make a point to be right with God before you do anything else!

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Psalm 123:23-24

Go to the Father washed by the blood of the Lamb and free of sin.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  James 5:16

In observance of the occasion, I thought that I would say a prayer, write it down and share it with my Sisters.  I`ll try to stay general and try to remember all the major things, but it IS Thursday and my brain is officially at `mush` status.  (I`m sure that I will personally be praying all day in order to remember everything!)  When praying your own prayer, please feel free to add your own concerns, prayer requests, and special needs!  I thought it would be nice to have some sort of guideline to get you started!


Dear Precious Father in Heaven,

Today is a day that our Nation acknowledges You and acknowledges the power of prayer.  Lord, I pray that as groups gather and heads bow all over our Nation, that people would have the eyes to see and the ears to hear of Your glory, Your grace, Your unconditional love and Your blessings!  I pray for the salvation of our brothers and sisters as they are encouraged to seek You and welcome You into their hearts today!  Ultimately Lord, I pray that salvation is seen in unbelievably, large numbers.

Lord, I pray for our churches, their pastors, leaders and congregations, for their dedication, wisdom and perseverance as they reach out and minister to others.  Please Father, be their rock and their refuge in a world that ridicules and mimics Christians.  Help them to hold on to the promises of Your Word and the hope of life everlasting.

Father, please guide our school systems as they are faced with challenging decisions every day.  Help them to make clear, concise and wise choices for the future of our children.  Please protect and guide our teachers and administrators through the numerous obstacles they face as they dedicate their lives to the growth and education of our children.  Please help them to be encouraging, nurturing, positive influences in our children’s lives.

Please Father, protect our children, at school, at home and at play.  They are faced with so many decisions and temptations every day.  They are picked on and bullied; they struggle with the stresses of academic and athletic performance, Lord, they need You so very much.  Please Lord, I ask that You veil them in Your protection.  It`s hard to believe, but I know that You do indeed love them even more than we do and I trust Father, that You will hold them tight in Your loving arms, safe from harm.

Please Lord, protect our entire families as we are continually attacked by the cruelties and temptations of this sinful world.  Father, please shield our relationships with spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends, neighbors and co-workers, and bless us with the ability to cultivate these relationships and nurture them in a way that is glorifying to You.

Father, I pray for our Nation, her leaders, her servicemen and their families.  Please help those in power to have clarity and make sound, wise decisions.  Lord, please, please, dispatch Your own army of guardian angels to protect and shelter our servicemen.  Father, please allow them to come home to their families safe and unharmed.  In the meantime, Lord, I pray that their families could find peace and rest in Your arms.

Lord, I pray for those in positions to inform and guide the citizens of this country.  Please Father help them to use wisdom and have clarity when choosing their words.  The media plays an important role in the morale and temperament of our nation`s people.  Lord it is obvious that they need Your support and guidance in every decision they make.

Most importantly, Father, today, as many people everywhere will be praying FOR so many things, I want to take the time to thank You, with my whole heart, for loving me and for sacrificing Your son for my salvation.  I thank You for my family`s safety and health, for the many blessings that You bestow upon me, for the opportunities You present me with each and every day and the prosperity and success, love and friendship that You offer to me not only through my Earthly friends and loved ones, but especially through You.  You are my rock and my fortress, my shelter in the rain.  Hallelujah!

In Your Precious Holy Name Lord,

Amen


For more information and ideas:  National Day of Prayer – Official Website

Check out these nifty little Prayer Bracelets

Labels: Believe, Prayer, Repentance, Way of Thinking

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Philippians 2:1-18


These verses have truly become some of my favorites.  If you look them up in the Online Parallel Bible , they are entitled “Be Like Christ”.  They are pretty much self explanatory and truly lay out the guidelines for living a righteous life.  I came across them last week while hunting for some other ideas and made a note.  This morning, while rifling through papers for the dentist`s phone number, I came across the note again.

Monday night we had the extreme pleasure of having dinner with the pastor, his wife and children and another family from church.  

Ultimately, conversation turned to the issues of forgiveness and Godliness.  (As it often does with this group.)  We also discussed the difference between living for people and living for God and striving to live in a way which is pleasing to Him.  So, obviously, these words were laid on my heart today for a reason.  (The Lord works in mysterious ways.)

Yes, I`ve visited this issue a lot lately, but it is something that I am dealing with and working at and I think, as human beings interacting with other human beings, most of us always will.

In this world, full of fleshly whims and desires, it is impossible to be perfect.  It is impossible for us to be perfect and it is impossible for those around us to be.  (That includes those we love, those we don`t and even those that are seemingly unlovable!)

Personally, I think that if we cease to be amazed by people`s behavior, we have become desensitized, we have succumbed to the sinful world we live in. (I certainly don`t want that to happen to me!)  Initially, the audacity, ignorance, repulsiveness, thoughtlessness, hatefulness, inconsideration, etc., should shock us!

At that point however, it becomes our responsibility to deal with it – to make a choice!  (What a task!)  We can choose to be a part of the ongoing problem or we can choose to be part of the solution!  (By the way, judging, pointing fingers, gossiping, etc. does NOT serve any real purpose!  That type of behavior only lends to the problem!)

We can`t necessarily change the world or the people in it.  We CAN change ourselves!  We are responsible for our own salvation and Godliness!  We can choose to stand up straight and tall, full of the Holy Spirit and deal with the blows the world deals out with composure, grace and class only available by the grace of God!

From there, we can hope and pray that our `rightness` will become infectious!

Be ALL that you can be through Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior!

Labels: Choices, Godliness, Righteousness

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

This morning, I had my whole blog thought out, typed up and ready to go.  As I went to label and save it, I realized that today is May 1st.  There are a lot of great things about the first day in May.  It becomes a little more evident that Spring is here and Summer is near.  It`s also a new month, full of new hope and promise!

Around our house however, it is a rough day emotionally.  Today would have been my Grandmother`s birthday.

I considered using the blog that was done and ready, but then I got to thinking about this incredible woman, about the incredible daughter she had that I know as “Mom”, and the important roles these women have played in my life.  I wanted to pay tribute to Grandma and share a bit about her!

Once upon a time...my Gramdma divorced my Pappy because he was having an affair with her best friend.  She had to take on several jobs to support her daughters and my Mom was left to raise my Aunt.  Nowadays, this is a pretty common thing, but then, it was pretty rare!  Grandma didn`t let that phase her.  She did what she had to and she did a fantastic job.  She didn`t moan and groan and complain about it or get bitter either!  She just stood up straight and moved forward.

Well, moving along to the things I actually remember about Grandma - I`m the oldest grandchild, but I only remember bits and pieces now.  I`m trying to reminisce as much as possible and hang on to the memories, because my brother and cousins remember even less!

A real `hoot` for me was when she would take me to work with her.  It`s so funny now, because with insurance stipulations and guidelines, I`m sure that would never happen today!  I used to spend the night with her all the time.  That was also a real treat for me, because Grandma lived in `town`.  I grew up in the country (and I like it that way) so getting to stay in town and play with the kids in her neighborhood totally rocked!  I read somewhere just this morning about staying out late and playing “Hide & Seek” in the dark.  That was the best!

Later on, when my brother and cousins came along, we all used to go to the lake.  This was one of Grandma`s favorite things to do.  She would take a bunch of food and just sit and watch us play for hours on end.

Grandma bought this piece of property (10 acres) in the middle of nowhere.  She used to drag everyone out there for family outings.  We used to eat a lot of food, play ball and throw horseshoes all day long!  It was always important to her to have family around and to spend time together!  She was one of those people that `made up` occasions if she had to!

Not too long after that, Grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Initially, she kept trying to live life the way she was accustomed, but it became harder and harder.  She was in more and more pain and the cancer continued to spread.

My Mom got on as her substitute so that Grandma could get the time off from work that she needed for doctor`s appointments and such.  Mom still has that job today!  Perhaps a part of her is `at home` doing the same job that her Mother did over 20 years ago?

As Grandma got worse and became bed-ridden, I moved in with her and tried to help take care of her.  (I was 16 at the time.)  I have to admit, looking back, I really hated doing it.  There wasn`t too much about it that was advantageous for me.  I couldn`t hang out with my friends or go anywhere.  The worst part of all was that her new husband was a real pill.  He used to treat me so poorly!  However, I really did want to help Grandma and take care of her.  She needed someone so badly and she was so appreciative.  I can still hear her apologizing because I was the child and she should be taking care of me – not the other way around.

After fighting this miserable disease for 11 years, Grandma died when I was 17.  One of the last things she said to my Mom was that she was tired and done fighting - that she was ready to go home to be with her Lord!  How amazing is that?

Well, even today, I still miss her so much.  I think about how much she`d love my kids!  I often wonder if she`d be proud of me.

So, although I miss Grandma very much and I know that my Mom does too, we have to find comfort in the fact that she is with her Heavenly Father now.  She is no longer in pain and she is walking!  She is no longer affected by the sickness and disease of this worldly life!


Breast Cancer Awareness month is October, but I encourage everyone to be informed!  Read the information available to you!  Know what to look for!  Go for regular testing and screening!  Early detection is everything!

Finally, if you feel so inclined, while you are there, contribute to the cause and help to find a cure!

National Breast Cancer Foundation

Labels: Breast Cancer Awareness, Charities, Remembrance