Well...I started the Bible Study by Beth Moore, "A Woman's Heart". So far, it's been so good. I'm only in week 2. I never thought I become so intrigued by the story of the children of Israel in the wilderness. I wish I had time to write down each little thing the Lord has shown me already, but I don't. I would like to share something that the Lord gave to Beth that has spoken volumes to me....
"What enemy are you facing today?
1. invite God to come between you and your enemy
2. invite God to 'open the eyes of your heart' so that you may recognize Him at work
3. count on Jesus; He NEVER fails"
I'm not sure what enemies you face today. Me?...well...most of the enemies I've faced lately have definitely been within my own mind. Fear....guilt...doubt...feelings of failure...insecurity...unbelief...the list could most definitely go on and on. The enemy wants us to fail...he doesn't want us to believe that God has our best in mind....he doesn't want us to trust God through all that He has allowed, because inevitably, God has allowed those things to bring Himself glory and to make us more like Him. I have to ask that question more than once a day. I know God has so much to teach me....after all, I'm a very, VERY leaky vessel.
Father, I pray that You will be before every enemy I face today. You placed Your pillars of cloud and fire between the children of Israel and Pharaoh's army to protect them. You are still that same God...that same Protector. Father, open my eyes that I might see things as You see them.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
At A Loss For Words
I know you all can't believe this, but truly, I'm at a loss for words. Have you ever felt like the Lord was speaking to you, but you just didn't understand what it was He was trying to say? Well...it seems the Lord is trying to say something to me....I just can't seem to make it out. He has brought my memory to several different things this morning, but I'm not sure what it means. Have you ever been there or is it just me?
Last night my brother-in-law, Phil, spoke to the teenagers at church. He used just part of one verse.
2 Chronicles 16:9
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect (or at peace) toward him...."
Here was just the beginning of my journey. My first thought was..."I wonder if 'run' is a present active participle." I'll have to research that one. Anyway, I decided to read here. I read all of chapters 16-20. Through that the Lord took me to 2 Kings and the miracle with Elisha and the woman filling her pots with oil she couldn't have possibly had, and then the miracle with Elisha and the Shunemite woman. From there, He brought me here...to my blog....back to the beginning and how it came about in the first place. I know you must be confused...I am. Here's what I have so far...
1. The Lord wants to show Himself strong in my life
(2 Chron. 16:9)
2. Even when I'm not sure what He's saying to me, the battle is His and not mine (2 Chron. 20:12,15)
3. If you don't believe Him when He's told you to do something, it's as if you never heard Him to begin with.
(2 Kings 4:1-7)
4. Sometimes trusting Him in the middle of a raging river or storm is not what comes natural. You have to make a conscious effort to believe His promises to you.
(Josh. 3:8-11)
Now...I'm not sure whether I have even made it to the brink of the water yet or if He's asking me to stand still in the midst of it, but I am seeking His face...I am seeking His Word....I do want to hear from Him. I already have the promise from Ps. 9:10....the Lord will not forsake those who seek Him. Where are you in your walk? Seek Him....that's really what He wants.
Ironically, the title of this post says "at a loss for words"....I think I may have found a few. :)
Father, I long to hear You clearly. I long to do Your will. I long to trust You even in the middle of the greatest storm I may face. Show me....show me Your Face...let me feel Your Presence...Your Peace...Your Direction for my life. I praise You just like Jehoshaphat had the singers do on the army's way to the battle. You are worthy of more than I can offer You. Thank You for Your blessings on my life. May You be glorified in my life today.
Last night my brother-in-law, Phil, spoke to the teenagers at church. He used just part of one verse.
2 Chronicles 16:9
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect (or at peace) toward him...."
Here was just the beginning of my journey. My first thought was..."I wonder if 'run' is a present active participle." I'll have to research that one. Anyway, I decided to read here. I read all of chapters 16-20. Through that the Lord took me to 2 Kings and the miracle with Elisha and the woman filling her pots with oil she couldn't have possibly had, and then the miracle with Elisha and the Shunemite woman. From there, He brought me here...to my blog....back to the beginning and how it came about in the first place. I know you must be confused...I am. Here's what I have so far...
1. The Lord wants to show Himself strong in my life
(2 Chron. 16:9)
2. Even when I'm not sure what He's saying to me, the battle is His and not mine (2 Chron. 20:12,15)
3. If you don't believe Him when He's told you to do something, it's as if you never heard Him to begin with.
(2 Kings 4:1-7)
4. Sometimes trusting Him in the middle of a raging river or storm is not what comes natural. You have to make a conscious effort to believe His promises to you.
(Josh. 3:8-11)
Now...I'm not sure whether I have even made it to the brink of the water yet or if He's asking me to stand still in the midst of it, but I am seeking His face...I am seeking His Word....I do want to hear from Him. I already have the promise from Ps. 9:10....the Lord will not forsake those who seek Him. Where are you in your walk? Seek Him....that's really what He wants.
Ironically, the title of this post says "at a loss for words"....I think I may have found a few. :)
Father, I long to hear You clearly. I long to do Your will. I long to trust You even in the middle of the greatest storm I may face. Show me....show me Your Face...let me feel Your Presence...Your Peace...Your Direction for my life. I praise You just like Jehoshaphat had the singers do on the army's way to the battle. You are worthy of more than I can offer You. Thank You for Your blessings on my life. May You be glorified in my life today.
Monday, June 1, 2009
In Times of Trouble
Well, here it is...the start of another month. This morning I was reflecting back on May. I asked the Lord..."Am I any closer to You now than I was a month ago?" The question seems rhetorical only because I can't seem to really measure that. Do I trust Him like I should? NO. Must I believe Him to survive? YES. I prayed this morning for a Word from Him. I have a personal situation that burdens me heavily. What do I say? What do I do? My sinful nature seems to be what always wants to come out. I want to protect the afflicted...the harmed. Isn't that just what the Lord wants? I mean when we are hurt by someone, doesn't the Lord stand up a little straighter and say..."Hey...that's MY daughter you're talking to!" I have to believe He does. After all, I've always heard the saying that we, His children, are the apple of His eye. I know that He allows some things to happen, which usually do make us stronger.
Here's my Word from the Lord today...
Psalm 9:9-10
"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."
Refuge here means stronghold. This post goes into a lot of explanation about what a stronghold really is. But quickly, it is "anything that exalts itself in our minds...steals our focus...consumes much of our emotional and mental energy." LORD here is the covenant Lord...the Lord of promises....meaning this is a promise to us. Continue to seek Him...He will not forsake you. These verses are refrigerator and note card worthy in my book.
Lord, thank You for Your promises...Your Word. Thank You for the immediate answer to my prayer this morning. Thank You that You are my Stronghold and that You have not forsaken me or the circumstances that consume me at times. Thank You that the troubles I'm facing today are temporary....only for a season. I pray for added strength, peace, and courage that only You can give. Bless Your Name Lord! May I glorify You in all I set out to do today.
Here's my Word from the Lord today...
Psalm 9:9-10
"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."
Refuge here means stronghold. This post goes into a lot of explanation about what a stronghold really is. But quickly, it is "anything that exalts itself in our minds...steals our focus...consumes much of our emotional and mental energy." LORD here is the covenant Lord...the Lord of promises....meaning this is a promise to us. Continue to seek Him...He will not forsake you. These verses are refrigerator and note card worthy in my book.
Lord, thank You for Your promises...Your Word. Thank You for the immediate answer to my prayer this morning. Thank You that You are my Stronghold and that You have not forsaken me or the circumstances that consume me at times. Thank You that the troubles I'm facing today are temporary....only for a season. I pray for added strength, peace, and courage that only You can give. Bless Your Name Lord! May I glorify You in all I set out to do today.
Monday, May 25, 2009
2 Months Later
Well hello again. No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth....just haven't posted. Even now, it's really hard for me to sit down and try to figure out what to say after so long. The past 2 months have been pretty normal around here.....ups and downs all around.
This past Friday was one of extreme emotion for me. I went to the school to register Emma for Kindergarten. Such an extreme wave of sadness, failure and nausea came over me. I literally cried all morning. I haven't with all honesty given up on the idea of homeschooling yet, but I have accepted the possibility that she may be going to public school unless something huge happens in the next couple of months to prevent it. I just HAVE to trust the Lord....to rely on Him...to put my confidence in Him. I have to focus my mind and heart on Him and not listen to the lies of the devil at this point....it's a struggle to not only avoid hearing those lies but to avoid believing them as well. I know the Lord is trying to teach me something. What?...you might ask....I have no idea. Maybe it is just to trust in Him. I feel like I need a pep rally from Beth Moore on believing God! :) She always fires me up!
My heart has been in so much turmoil lately...part of it has been the issue with Emma and school and the other just some personal things. I wish I could explain it so you don't all think I'm a lunatic. I need a new Bible study I think. I've been thinking about "A Woman's Heart" by Beth. I just need to do it.
Anyway, I am going to try to post more often. Thanks for being so faithful to check the blog. I will try to get some newer pictures up of the girls. They are growing SO fast.
This past Friday was one of extreme emotion for me. I went to the school to register Emma for Kindergarten. Such an extreme wave of sadness, failure and nausea came over me. I literally cried all morning. I haven't with all honesty given up on the idea of homeschooling yet, but I have accepted the possibility that she may be going to public school unless something huge happens in the next couple of months to prevent it. I just HAVE to trust the Lord....to rely on Him...to put my confidence in Him. I have to focus my mind and heart on Him and not listen to the lies of the devil at this point....it's a struggle to not only avoid hearing those lies but to avoid believing them as well. I know the Lord is trying to teach me something. What?...you might ask....I have no idea. Maybe it is just to trust in Him. I feel like I need a pep rally from Beth Moore on believing God! :) She always fires me up!
My heart has been in so much turmoil lately...part of it has been the issue with Emma and school and the other just some personal things. I wish I could explain it so you don't all think I'm a lunatic. I need a new Bible study I think. I've been thinking about "A Woman's Heart" by Beth. I just need to do it.
Anyway, I am going to try to post more often. Thanks for being so faithful to check the blog. I will try to get some newer pictures up of the girls. They are growing SO fast.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Fighting For The Next Step
Yesterday in a nutshell was....challenging. I set out on the adventure of changing out my girls' clothes...you know....putting away the things that have gotten to small and bringing out the things that fit the body and season. Anyway, I was exhausted to say the least. So many times I wanted to sit down and quit...sometimes I did. I was also extremely frustrated with the girls. They fought all day yesterday. So by the time bedtime came around, I was EXCITED.
This morning I was asking the Lord to please help the day be better. I was looking through the Stepping Up book I finished. I received so much encouragement from the Lord. I don't think it was coincidence where I ended up reading. The Lord reminded me that the stage of life I'm in is just a step. This is what Beth said....
"On this mysterious pilgrimage, we will find that when we do meet difficulties and sorrows, they were not meant to stop us but to form the character required for our great harvest in the coming season...The more Satan sees something crucial on that next step, the more he will fight you."
And then the Lord seemed to say to me..."just like you were exhausted yesterday and wanted to quit with the clothes, you need to keep on keeping on....don't quit...this is an important fight you're fighting...I'm for you...I want you to win...I'm right here....I will help you." You see my girls have been a extreme challenge for me lately pushing me at every limit. They are important...they are my fight, and they are worth fighting for. Beth continues..."Sometimes God uses the fight to strengthen muscles we'll need at the next level." I know that this moment in my life is a fleeting one and that it will all too soon pass.
Lord today, I pray that You would help me see You and through Your eyes every situation I face. Help me to respond as You would. Help me not to quit....to sow the seed through tears so that when my children are older, the harvest that is reaped will glorify You.
Psalm 126:5
"Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy."
This morning I was asking the Lord to please help the day be better. I was looking through the Stepping Up book I finished. I received so much encouragement from the Lord. I don't think it was coincidence where I ended up reading. The Lord reminded me that the stage of life I'm in is just a step. This is what Beth said....
"On this mysterious pilgrimage, we will find that when we do meet difficulties and sorrows, they were not meant to stop us but to form the character required for our great harvest in the coming season...The more Satan sees something crucial on that next step, the more he will fight you."
And then the Lord seemed to say to me..."just like you were exhausted yesterday and wanted to quit with the clothes, you need to keep on keeping on....don't quit...this is an important fight you're fighting...I'm for you...I want you to win...I'm right here....I will help you." You see my girls have been a extreme challenge for me lately pushing me at every limit. They are important...they are my fight, and they are worth fighting for. Beth continues..."Sometimes God uses the fight to strengthen muscles we'll need at the next level." I know that this moment in my life is a fleeting one and that it will all too soon pass.
Lord today, I pray that You would help me see You and through Your eyes every situation I face. Help me to respond as You would. Help me not to quit....to sow the seed through tears so that when my children are older, the harvest that is reaped will glorify You.
Psalm 126:5
"Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy."
Monday, March 23, 2009
Another "Chloe" Funny
Saturday, my brother and his wife moved into their newly purchased home. Therefore, my mom and Emma & Chloe so Don & I could help. My mom was cooking some broccoli while the girls watched some TV. They were both laying on the floor with their hands behind their heads. Here was the conversation...
Chloe: Mema...I smell poop...(remember the cooking broccoli)...Mema...somebody's got poop...Emma....have you got poop? (Emma never even acknowledged her!!)...MeeMaa??
Mema: What Chloe?
Chloe: Is somebody pooping?
(My mother at this point is laughing uncontrollably. Chloe responds to that...)
Chloe: What's so funny?
Chloe: Mema...I smell poop...(remember the cooking broccoli)...Mema...somebody's got poop...Emma....have you got poop? (Emma never even acknowledged her!!)...MeeMaa??
Mema: What Chloe?
Chloe: Is somebody pooping?
(My mother at this point is laughing uncontrollably. Chloe responds to that...)
Chloe: What's so funny?
Reminders
Tonight....well, tonight I feel as if the Lord Himself has brought me some reminders. The past hour or so I've been pondering things...things in my marriage...things with the girls...burdens of others. It's overwhelming, you know that?
I've come to the realization that first of all, God has a plan. (I know...I never claimed it was rocket science...just a realization.) His ways are higher than mine....His thoughts are higher than mine. Amen, hallelujah and PRAISE THE LORD!! All that to say that, if I'm not careful, I become fearful of the unknown...the things out of my control. You see He's not surprised by ANYTHING that happens....NOTHING! That alone makes Him worthy of my trust and my praise.
You see, tonight I can think of so many overwhelming situations....a marriage on the rocks....a disagreement between Don & I....my girls not listening to me...me being ineffective as a mom...insecurities galore....a friend that just lost her sister...a 30 yr old that's just been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has already spread to other parts of her body who also has a 3 yr old....lost jobs....a blogger mom that I read whose son was fine Saturday and is now in a PICU with an uncertain future. Where does it end? I tell you where it ends....with Him. Without Jesus, every single one of those situations and ones I didn't even mention are hopeless situations. Aren't you glad He knows? When I hear of some of the previous mentioned situations, I often put myself there...and feel what they might feel. You know...I could have the marriage on the rocks and not just a disagreement...I could be the mom that's just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer....I could be (you fill in the blank).... BUT...I'm not....right now anyway. So....
Lord, tonight I praise You through tears of gladness that I'm not facing some of those circumstances right now....through tears of sorrow for those who are...and through tears of relief and peace that You are HERE and You are in each of those circumstances. Lord, I pray that for every disappointment and failure today, that You would forgive me. I LONG and NEED to be who You want me to be. I need to be that child, daughter, wife, mother, sister, teacher, friend that You want and desire for me to be. Father, I can't do it alone.
I've come to the realization that first of all, God has a plan. (I know...I never claimed it was rocket science...just a realization.) His ways are higher than mine....His thoughts are higher than mine. Amen, hallelujah and PRAISE THE LORD!! All that to say that, if I'm not careful, I become fearful of the unknown...the things out of my control. You see He's not surprised by ANYTHING that happens....NOTHING! That alone makes Him worthy of my trust and my praise.
You see, tonight I can think of so many overwhelming situations....a marriage on the rocks....a disagreement between Don & I....my girls not listening to me...me being ineffective as a mom...insecurities galore....a friend that just lost her sister...a 30 yr old that's just been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has already spread to other parts of her body who also has a 3 yr old....lost jobs....a blogger mom that I read whose son was fine Saturday and is now in a PICU with an uncertain future. Where does it end? I tell you where it ends....with Him. Without Jesus, every single one of those situations and ones I didn't even mention are hopeless situations. Aren't you glad He knows? When I hear of some of the previous mentioned situations, I often put myself there...and feel what they might feel. You know...I could have the marriage on the rocks and not just a disagreement...I could be the mom that's just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer....I could be (you fill in the blank).... BUT...I'm not....right now anyway. So....
Lord, tonight I praise You through tears of gladness that I'm not facing some of those circumstances right now....through tears of sorrow for those who are...and through tears of relief and peace that You are HERE and You are in each of those circumstances. Lord, I pray that for every disappointment and failure today, that You would forgive me. I LONG and NEED to be who You want me to be. I need to be that child, daughter, wife, mother, sister, teacher, friend that You want and desire for me to be. Father, I can't do it alone.
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