I began wrestling with sleep at about 5 this morning. I was disturbed by some thoughts and I also felt a tug on my heart to get up and read the Word. So, because I am selfish and love sleep, I foolishly thought I could win that battle, but that wasn't going to happen. So, here I sit in my quite dark sleeping house eager to read your Word and it feels good to be up, which is strange because that is normally not the case. I am not a morning person, which is silly really because I should be full of joy and thanksgiving to God for giving me another day, but I have blinders on in the morning most of the time. So, I am here with my coffee wondering what to read and I was immediately drawn to the Psalms and I parked on Psalm 66.
I read it all the way through and was flooded with its application and simplicity and passion. The author is not listed so I don't know who wrote it, but it was obviously someone who got it, got who God is that day and I am so thankful that it is here this morning for me to read freely.
It's starts beautifully and appropriately with praising God as I should first when I come before Him and always really. It even says, and I love this direct simple command, "Say to God, How awesome are your deeds!" Then it rightfully moves to honoring His position, His ultimate authority in this universe by recognizing that everything bows down to Him and they sing praise to His name. And then the author is telling his audience like, come check it out for yourselves you guys - God is working for us, not against us. Look what He has done, not only in my life, but historically. And then the author reminds us of God's unending power and His watchful eyes on the nations and the author follows with a genuine, I think, like a thought aloud desire for people not to rebel against Him because he has seen it happen and it hurts his heart because he knows God and his love. Now I am reading into this of course, but it lines up with his message here really. Then the author continues with a reminder of His promises to us, to me, his audience so many years later, that it is "He who has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping." Amen to that and may I never forget it. How often can we attest to that. I would be so lost, so broken, so into this world if it weren't for my Savior's hand upon me at all times. I have heard so many testimonies to this. Man this guy gets it. Then, the author goes into specifics about what God did for him and his people and he is thankful for the hardships they went through and ultimately for God's faithfulness in pulling them out of it. So, what is his response to all this and what should ours be as well?? The author nails it and the passage turns to the 1st person because it is my responsibility and mine only to properly respond to my Lord. He says it beautifully and simply - I will sacrifice my best to You and I will fulfill what I said I was going to do. I will obey Your commands.
Lastly, the author concludes with two great messages...God listens and hears our prayers! and he humbly goes on to say, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected by prayer or withheld his love from me!"
Thanks God for this glimpse into who You are today. I must have needed to hear it. Your Word is amazing.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Day 232 11-9
Mark's parents took the kiddos last night and pretty much all day today so I have some time alone today, which is nice sometimes. I miss the kids of course, but a break is needed from such heavy responsibilities and I am thankful to my in laws for providing this for me and to allow me to spend time with my Lord right now.
I kind of had it in my heart today to read a whole book of the Bible today because I feel so often I read segments and I was just craving to read the whole thing, get the whole picture and message all in one setting. So, I chose Philemon because it is short and it has been several months since I read it. After I read it, I just wanted to focus on what I learned about Christ/God from it. Grace, forgiveness, and redemption stuck out at me right away. It's such a simple book, obviously with the length and all, but it is deep in meaning. I didn't really focus on the great friendship aspect of it before and it is so cool to see Christian brothers pleading to one another out of love, out of accountability, and out of an awareness and recognition that they are of one mind and spirit and that loves rules all. I think we should be able to go to our true friends and ask them of anything on our hearts.
I love Paul how ends this book with "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Isn't that so true. I need to remember that everyday. May my spirit be full of grace towards people for goodness sake. I'm not perfect or the judge. I should put on love first, not judgment. Anyways, God thanks for this quiet time with You Lord and thanks for the reminder of grace.
I pray for Makenna today that she may recover from pneumonia. I pray for doctors wisdom as they prep for Molli's surgery on Friday. I pray for this sweet baby growing in me that he or she is developing normally and that one day will know You and accept You Lord. I pray to take one day at a time and do my best with the responsibilities God has given me. I pray for my mom to pick up the Bible and read it today.
I kind of had it in my heart today to read a whole book of the Bible today because I feel so often I read segments and I was just craving to read the whole thing, get the whole picture and message all in one setting. So, I chose Philemon because it is short and it has been several months since I read it. After I read it, I just wanted to focus on what I learned about Christ/God from it. Grace, forgiveness, and redemption stuck out at me right away. It's such a simple book, obviously with the length and all, but it is deep in meaning. I didn't really focus on the great friendship aspect of it before and it is so cool to see Christian brothers pleading to one another out of love, out of accountability, and out of an awareness and recognition that they are of one mind and spirit and that loves rules all. I think we should be able to go to our true friends and ask them of anything on our hearts.
I love Paul how ends this book with "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Isn't that so true. I need to remember that everyday. May my spirit be full of grace towards people for goodness sake. I'm not perfect or the judge. I should put on love first, not judgment. Anyways, God thanks for this quiet time with You Lord and thanks for the reminder of grace.
I pray for Makenna today that she may recover from pneumonia. I pray for doctors wisdom as they prep for Molli's surgery on Friday. I pray for this sweet baby growing in me that he or she is developing normally and that one day will know You and accept You Lord. I pray to take one day at a time and do my best with the responsibilities God has given me. I pray for my mom to pick up the Bible and read it today.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Day 230 11-7
The kiddos are napping and the house is so still, quiet, and peaceful as I sit in my chair in my room and listen and watch the rain fall on the windows. It's a pretty perfect set up for a great time curling up with my Lord. May I connect with You Lord and may my heart be changed today to look more like Yours. It feels good to listen to You Lord and carry out what I think it is You want me to do. A lot of the time, I'm too chicken to do it, like last week at church, this lady next to me was crying and she was alone. I heard "hug her" in my heart. "What, Lord?, A complete stranger? What if she pushes me away or something?, What if..." The "what if's" continued until the moment slipped by and I had already lost focus in my worship completely. I let Satan win that battle. But then, this week, my mom started crying pretty hard during the invitation after the sermon and once again I heard, "hug her" in my heart. You'd think it would be easy for me since it was my mom, but for some reason affection is tough for me with my mom, but I put uneasiness aside and wanting to show her Christ's love, I hugged her and it was good. I know we are called to be the feet and hands of Jesus. I need to open my eyes more and take hold of those opportunities and approach them with urgent passion.
I'm thankful for a God who carries through with His promises and resides in me and gives me beautiful opportunities to have people see and feel Him in me.
The Great Commission came to my mind to read because it's the commandment that I probably struggle with the most because I like to stay in my comfort zone too much.
"Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20
I'm thankful for a God who carries through with His promises and resides in me and gives me beautiful opportunities to have people see and feel Him in me.
The Great Commission came to my mind to read because it's the commandment that I probably struggle with the most because I like to stay in my comfort zone too much.
"Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Day 229 11-6
It was pretty cool when we got to church that our pastor spoke on the exact passage we are studying next in Life Group...(Matt 6:19-34). One of the main things that stuck on my heart during his sermon was that God uses my responsibilities to shape my character, not burden me or anything like that and that he's shaping us for even greater service in heaven. May I Trust Him and find comfort that He will take care of me. God You are so good.
I'm going to simply read over the passage again tonight.
I'm going to simply read over the passage again tonight.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Day 228 11-5
What a day God. I'm not even sure why I said that God, but it's just what came to my mind. There was just a lot of happenings for one day I guess. As I sit and reflect on my time spent at the Women of Faith conference and also what I'm thankful for today, it all kind of jumbles together, but that's my life in a nutshell really.
My three biggest takeaways I think from the conference came from several different speakers.
I was blown away by Brenda Warner's testimony and she really inspired me with her story. What stuck with me from her talk was to stay the course and do what I have to do to raise my kids to know that they are loved by God and have a purpose and literally to tell them everyday "You were made in Christ's image, do good things in this world and love people" I love that:) She is an amazing woman.
Secondly, Deborah Joy did a drama of the scene in the Bible where Jesus interrupts the stoning of Mary Magdelene and not one person could throw his or her stone at her because Jesus asked them to throw the first stone if you are without sin. I find myself in judgement of others often, which is terrible, but so easy to do, and sometimes saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and she just really laid it down to drop the stone in my hand and to love and understand.
Thirdly, Lisa Welchel talked about friendship and I could really relate to her because I have a lot of the same needs of intimacy and desire for deep meaningful friendships with women, but I'm not too good at it. She basically talked about not forcing friendships, but looking for signs of faithful women, not women who gossip or pretend to have it all together. Also, she talked about the importance of being transparent and being a good listener.
Anyway, it was nice to be there with my mom and have sometime with just us, with no kiddos, focusing on messages about our Lord.
I'm thankful for women like the women at the conference who are real and transparent and truly love the Lord and others and want to make a difference for Him.
I decided to read the story about Jesus interceding in the stoning of Mary Magdelene found in John 8.
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
This is such an amazing story and to be honest, I have never truly really focused on it before or studied it. The lady who presented the story at the conference brought up an intriguing question that I obviously missed the times I had read it before, but it left me really thinking... What did Jesus bend down and write on the ground?
My three biggest takeaways I think from the conference came from several different speakers.
I was blown away by Brenda Warner's testimony and she really inspired me with her story. What stuck with me from her talk was to stay the course and do what I have to do to raise my kids to know that they are loved by God and have a purpose and literally to tell them everyday "You were made in Christ's image, do good things in this world and love people" I love that:) She is an amazing woman.
Secondly, Deborah Joy did a drama of the scene in the Bible where Jesus interrupts the stoning of Mary Magdelene and not one person could throw his or her stone at her because Jesus asked them to throw the first stone if you are without sin. I find myself in judgement of others often, which is terrible, but so easy to do, and sometimes saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and she just really laid it down to drop the stone in my hand and to love and understand.
Thirdly, Lisa Welchel talked about friendship and I could really relate to her because I have a lot of the same needs of intimacy and desire for deep meaningful friendships with women, but I'm not too good at it. She basically talked about not forcing friendships, but looking for signs of faithful women, not women who gossip or pretend to have it all together. Also, she talked about the importance of being transparent and being a good listener.
Anyway, it was nice to be there with my mom and have sometime with just us, with no kiddos, focusing on messages about our Lord.
I'm thankful for women like the women at the conference who are real and transparent and truly love the Lord and others and want to make a difference for Him.
I decided to read the story about Jesus interceding in the stoning of Mary Magdelene found in John 8.
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
This is such an amazing story and to be honest, I have never truly really focused on it before or studied it. The lady who presented the story at the conference brought up an intriguing question that I obviously missed the times I had read it before, but it left me really thinking... What did Jesus bend down and write on the ground?
Friday, November 4, 2011
Day 227 11-4
I'm thankful today that I chose to stay home and raise my kids. Although, at times, I think I am doing a lousy job at it, I know that me staying home is what God intended and it is the best for my kids. I'm thankful that I recognize that I can't do this on my own strength or patience or gentleness, but I can pray to have the Holy Spirit within me carry me through the day with His. May I continue to lean on You for wisdom and guidance Lord because times are tough right now, especially with my June Bug and I know it is so critical for me to hold firm, stay the course, and remain consistent. I love you Lord and I absolutely adore these precious kiddos You entrusted me with. May I help them to flourish into the little and big people they will become who love You and love others.
Read Deut 6:1-9. I had never really caught verse 2 before. "so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged" I love the concept of leaving a legacy here Lord. That's ultimately what I want for my family. To begin a legacy of a family who loves Jesus, reads the Word and applies it, loves and respects people, etc. Help me to do this well, with intention Lord.
Read Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." I need to focus on this Lord for my June Bug especially right now:) Thanks for bringing it to my heart and mind.
Read Deut 6:1-9. I had never really caught verse 2 before. "so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged" I love the concept of leaving a legacy here Lord. That's ultimately what I want for my family. To begin a legacy of a family who loves Jesus, reads the Word and applies it, loves and respects people, etc. Help me to do this well, with intention Lord.
Read Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." I need to focus on this Lord for my June Bug especially right now:) Thanks for bringing it to my heart and mind.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Day 226 11-3
So, tonight I found my dad's slideshow a friend made for me for my dad's 10 year anniversary of his death and it seems fitting to watch it while spending this time with my heavenly Father. Not sure what this time will bring, except for tears of course, but I hope to jot down what I am thankful to the Lord for in terms of my dad.
Pieces of my opening prayer...I love you Lord and I just want to spend this time with You looking back on my life. What you gave me and what was taken from me. I'm not mad. It is what it is and I know you are here with me. This time is Yours.
Brian's kids look so much like him, it's unreal. I'm thankful that his looks will continue in our family:)
I'm thankful that I get to see him again. I can't wait.
I'm thankful that he really was a Super dad. He could do it all and he did.
I'm thankful that he was loving and affectionate with me. I always felt loved.
I'm thankful that he showed me what it meant to have his priorities in line.
I'm thankful that he had a good life for the most part and that he made mine better.
I wish I could be spending my life with him right now and that he could play with my kids, but I'm thankful for the short time I had with him.
I am thankful that he was always There and always Available.
I'm thankful for the conversations my mom and I had on the beach in Florida together this year. I had a lot of questions answered that I always wanted to ask her.
I remembered a note of bible verses Mark left for me on my dresser after my dad died. One verse in particular stuck from Psalm 68. So I decided to read it aloud tonight and see what was laid on my heart.
Psalm 68: 3-5
"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds - His name is the Lord - and rejoice before Him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows, is God in His holy dwelling."
He promises to be by strength here on earth without my dad. I have peace in that.
Pieces of my opening prayer...I love you Lord and I just want to spend this time with You looking back on my life. What you gave me and what was taken from me. I'm not mad. It is what it is and I know you are here with me. This time is Yours.
Brian's kids look so much like him, it's unreal. I'm thankful that his looks will continue in our family:)
I'm thankful that I get to see him again. I can't wait.
I'm thankful that he really was a Super dad. He could do it all and he did.
I'm thankful that he was loving and affectionate with me. I always felt loved.
I'm thankful that he showed me what it meant to have his priorities in line.
I'm thankful that he had a good life for the most part and that he made mine better.
I wish I could be spending my life with him right now and that he could play with my kids, but I'm thankful for the short time I had with him.
I am thankful that he was always There and always Available.
I'm thankful for the conversations my mom and I had on the beach in Florida together this year. I had a lot of questions answered that I always wanted to ask her.
I remembered a note of bible verses Mark left for me on my dresser after my dad died. One verse in particular stuck from Psalm 68. So I decided to read it aloud tonight and see what was laid on my heart.
Psalm 68: 3-5
"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds - His name is the Lord - and rejoice before Him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows, is God in His holy dwelling."
He promises to be by strength here on earth without my dad. I have peace in that.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Day 225 11-2
You make this time whatever You want it to be Lord. I'm just here desiring to be close to You and soak in whatever it is You want me too.
We have a sonogram today and I'm always a little nervous/anxious because in reality, today is when we could find out something is terribly wrong with the baby. I pray for Your continual hand on the development of this baby. May You keep any external worldly harmful factors out and protect this child.
Keeping with the theme of thanksgiving, I decided to read the story of Hannah and the birth of her son Samuel. I have baby on my mind obviously and this passage popped into my mind because I remembered how grateful and thankful Hannah was to finally conceive. It was her absolute heart's desire she poured it all out before the Lord and He heard her and answered her prayers with a precious baby boy who would grow up and do righteous things. There is a whole passage dedicated to Hannah's song/prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord over providing her with a son.
Some of my favorite lines from her song...
1 “My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
2 “There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
8“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;
on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
She nailed it Lord. She took the focus off of her and put it all on You. She understood her place in this world in reference to You and she humbled herself.
May I be in constant recognition of my place in this world in reference to You Lord and never take anything You have given me for granted. Thank you for giving me this beautiful child within me. I can't wait to meet him or her.
We have a sonogram today and I'm always a little nervous/anxious because in reality, today is when we could find out something is terribly wrong with the baby. I pray for Your continual hand on the development of this baby. May You keep any external worldly harmful factors out and protect this child.
Keeping with the theme of thanksgiving, I decided to read the story of Hannah and the birth of her son Samuel. I have baby on my mind obviously and this passage popped into my mind because I remembered how grateful and thankful Hannah was to finally conceive. It was her absolute heart's desire she poured it all out before the Lord and He heard her and answered her prayers with a precious baby boy who would grow up and do righteous things. There is a whole passage dedicated to Hannah's song/prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord over providing her with a son.
Some of my favorite lines from her song...
1 “My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
2 “There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
8“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;
on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
She nailed it Lord. She took the focus off of her and put it all on You. She understood her place in this world in reference to You and she humbled herself.
May I be in constant recognition of my place in this world in reference to You Lord and never take anything You have given me for granted. Thank you for giving me this beautiful child within me. I can't wait to meet him or her.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Day 224 11-1
I think this is my first time recording my quiet time directly on the computer instead of in my journal so it's a little weird and out of my comfort zone, but I'll give it a go. There's a lot of distractions and temptations on a computer so I pray that I can really focus Lord on being with You and blocking the world out.
I was given a fun idea last year to make a pretend turkey and have each family member write what they are thankful for each day on piece of paper and put it in the turkey and then we cut it open on Thanksgiving and read everyone's. We did it last year and it was a lot of fun, so tonight after dinner we made our turkey out of a milk jug. I hope to really and truly focus on giving thanks this month and to aid in this, I want to read "thanks themed" scripture to fill my mind and heart, as well as my family's.
So today I'm going to go to biblegateway.com and plug in the word "thanks" and see what comes up...
The first ones that popped up were from the OT in Leviticus and 1 and 2 Chronicles. The passages were mainly focused on their offerings being a thanksgiving to the Lord. That was their purpose in the offerings, to show their thanks and gratitude for the Lord and all they had done for them. It was an outward, usually fairly public?? expression, with strict guidelines when it came to the actual burnt offerings, etc. I admire the OT leaders, especially King David who righteously demanded and made giving thanks to the Lord a priority of himself and his people. I think it's cool too that we see the first documented (as far as I know right now) creative, unique way of showing their gratitude to the Lord through music and dancing. We have lost a lot of that appreciation in today's society.
Anyways, thanks God for pure and holy examples of the kingdom giving thanks to You the way we all should everyday, without the burnt offerings of course:) I'm meaning more from the heart.
The first thing that came to my mind tonight Lord was to thank you for my hardworking husband who comes home to us every night positive and full of energy ready to be the best dad he can be for our kiddos, no matter what kind of day he had at work. I am just so grateful that I have such a supporting, loving, and selfless husband that I get to spend eternity with:) Thanks for that plan God.
I was given a fun idea last year to make a pretend turkey and have each family member write what they are thankful for each day on piece of paper and put it in the turkey and then we cut it open on Thanksgiving and read everyone's. We did it last year and it was a lot of fun, so tonight after dinner we made our turkey out of a milk jug. I hope to really and truly focus on giving thanks this month and to aid in this, I want to read "thanks themed" scripture to fill my mind and heart, as well as my family's.
So today I'm going to go to biblegateway.com and plug in the word "thanks" and see what comes up...
The first ones that popped up were from the OT in Leviticus and 1 and 2 Chronicles. The passages were mainly focused on their offerings being a thanksgiving to the Lord. That was their purpose in the offerings, to show their thanks and gratitude for the Lord and all they had done for them. It was an outward, usually fairly public?? expression, with strict guidelines when it came to the actual burnt offerings, etc. I admire the OT leaders, especially King David who righteously demanded and made giving thanks to the Lord a priority of himself and his people. I think it's cool too that we see the first documented (as far as I know right now) creative, unique way of showing their gratitude to the Lord through music and dancing. We have lost a lot of that appreciation in today's society.
Anyways, thanks God for pure and holy examples of the kingdom giving thanks to You the way we all should everyday, without the burnt offerings of course:) I'm meaning more from the heart.
The first thing that came to my mind tonight Lord was to thank you for my hardworking husband who comes home to us every night positive and full of energy ready to be the best dad he can be for our kiddos, no matter what kind of day he had at work. I am just so grateful that I have such a supporting, loving, and selfless husband that I get to spend eternity with:) Thanks for that plan God.
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