#6 - Love for God's word

The scripture reading is Psalm 19:10, which I will quote later. The prayer for this biblical virtue to pray is: "May we grow to find your word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the honey comb."

The Bible is God's word. It is God's love letter to His people, His children, His bride! God's word is a word of comfort. The word of God guides us. It teaches us truth! The Bible is the blue print of the creator of humankind! We can find healing for our souls, bodies and minds there. God speaks to us through these words. The bible is the Logo or the Rayma. The logo means it is THE word. It is the study, the history, learning. The Rayma is a personal revelation from God especially for you. When reading and studying my bible, I could read the same verse several times, and each time I could see something new in it. Sometimes it truly is a personal word of comfort, guidance, love, encouragement - basically what I need for that moment! When we read our bibles or pray with our bibles, or study our bibles, it is like going on a treasure hunt. You will be surprised at the precious nuggets you will find, and the deeper you dig, the more precious the treasure! If you want to grow in the word of God, become a person with a chisel and go out and dig in the word -- look, explore, seek. Let The Word become your word, and you will grow.

I challenge you to rediscover the Bible in your own life . . . ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, teach you, and guide you through it. Sit with Jesus daily and read God's love letter to you!

Can I share a few words from God that I received from my Bible while praying for you?
These are samples of the Rayma:

Psalm 32:7 - (while praying for Linda, but meant also for all of us) - Lord, you are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round. Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you, keeping my eye on you. Psalm 32: 10 & 11 Many are the sorrows of the wicked (Dennis?), but kindness surrounds those who trust in the Lord (Linda?). Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you just; exhalt all you upright of heart! Hebrews 10:34 - You even joined in the sufferings of those who were in prison - and joyfully assented to the confiscation of your goods, knowing you had better and more permanent possesions (her hearing on the division of their property and possesions). Hebrews 12:3 - Remember how Jesus endured the opposition of sinners - hence, do not grow despondent or abandon the struggle.

And one day Kay called me and was telling me of her pain in her wrist, her arm, and elbow and shoulder and how hard it was to do her job and the pain kept her awake. I prayed for her - and this is where I was in my bible:

Hebrews 12:12 - So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight the paths you walk on, that your halting limbs may not be dislocated and healed!

And from Hebrews 10:39 as I was praying Arjay and Chad and their college tests and decisions - We are not among those who draw back (from God) and perish, but among those who have faith and live!

These are just a few of the Rayma words I received while praying. Very specific and personal, I thought. And I believe God really spoke to my prayer, and He will do the same for anyone who comes to Him. I could share and share and share about this subject, but I think this is enough to encourage all of you to try it, or keep it up!

Now here is the quoted scripture from the prayer card - it is psalm 19:10, but I want to go back to verse 7 through 11:

"The teachings of the Lord are perfect; they give new strength.
The rules of the Lord can be trusted; they make plain people wise.
The orders of the Lord are right; they make people happy.
The commands of the Lord are pure; they light up the way.
Respect for the Lord is good; it will last forever.
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are completely right.
They are worth more than gold, even the purest gold.
They are sweeter than honey, even the finest honey.
By them your servant is warned. Keeping them brings great reward."

And we find these things in God's word, the Bible.

Father, we stand in awe of your word, the bible. Who would have thought that daily help could be found in a book so old. Every time we open it we find it's not old at all! Help us to look for your guidance in that precious book. Make us aware of how precious your word is. Thank you, Father, for giving us this source of light and strength, and for giving us the opportunity to uncover the precious jewels waiting to be discovered in your holy pages.

Karen was in a car accident!

Karen and Rudy moved into their new home now. Karen had taken a few boxes over there Friday, and did a little cleaning. She decided to go back to the other house and get a few more boxes to move over. Her driveway at her new house backs right out into traffic on a main highway where the speed limit is 60MPH. She backed out and didn't see a pick up barreling right at her. It hit her dead on - on the driver's side - and totaled her car! The air bag blew up. Spun her all around. There was smoke, so she was afraid her car was going to catch on fire. She shoved on the door and got herself out. The firemen, ambulance, policemen and neighbors and passers by were all right there to help her. No one could believe she got out of that car with out the help of the Jaws of Life. No one could believe she wasn't hurt, or even dead. I believe, and so does she and several people there, that it was a miracle. God protected her for sure. They hauled her car off on a flatbed. She had her wits about her, even though she was pretty shook up and scared, to take pictures with her phone of everything. The guy in the pickup said he had a broken leg, but then she saw him running across the highway to talk to the policeman. No broken leg. She took his picture. She took pictures of the huge snowbank that blocked her view - a snowbank left by the snow plows. She took pictures of the car, the pick up, the skid marks - everything. I would never have had enough wits about me to think of that, I don't think. Good for her. She got the ticket, though, and the police said it was her fault. Please pray that she is not sued and that somehow this ticket can be erased from her record. And prayers of Thanksgiving for her life and that she is all in one piece after such a terrible accident. And that the guy in the pickup is okay, too!

At least she met her new neighbors. She made a grand entrance into her new neighborhood, I guess!

#5 - Self Control

The prayer on the Biblical Virtues card says: "Father, help us NOT to be like many others around us, but let us be alert and self-controlled in all we do".

The scripture is 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 6:

(I like to go back to verse 5) "You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control." verse 8:
"We belong to the day, so we should control ourselves."

In the context of these verses Chapter 5 in my bible is titled "Be ready for the Lord's coming". It is talking about being ready no matter when it happens, and we need'nt worry about when that is. Just live each day as though it is our last. Just because everyone is doing the wrong things doesn't give us permission to do them. We need to stand our ground, and practice self-control. Stay away from sin and temptation to sin.

Michelle's post on #4 is such a great example of this. It is not the easy path to take, but it is the right path.

Linda and I watched a great movie a couple of nights ago. It has such great messages and examples of this virtue. The movie is "Bucket List". If you haven't seen it, it's a must see. Maybe you would want to watch it again, if you've already seen it.

Ask ourselves this question - If the Dr. gave me the news that I only had a few months to live, what would I do differently? How would I make sure I am ready to see Jesus? What if I saw Him coming on the clouds tomorrow? Would I be rejoicing, or would I be fearful?

My dictionary says that self-control means "The act, power, or habit of having one's faculties or energies under control of the will." I think these 3 words: act, power and habit - are the order in which self-control can become a part of our lives. We must act (DO the right thing) which is sometimes very hard to do. So then we can call upon the POWER of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help us (Pray), and then it becomes a habit to do the right thing, and actions of our own free will!

"Now may God Himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to Him. May your whole self - spirit, soul and body - be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you". This prayer comes from Paul at the end of 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5, verses 23 through 24.

Pray for Linda

Tomorrow (Monday) at 2:00 P.M. is when Linda's divorce hearing will be happening. Please lift her in prayer.

And please keep praying about Dennis's criminal trial. It is now set for March 2nd.

Thank you!

Please pray for Arjay

Arjay is only 2 classes short of graduating with a degree in Physics. He wants to work for NASA. It's been his desire forever! He has a meeting with the dean of the department on Monday. Please pray that he can figure out a way to get the credits in these 2 classes that he needs so badly. Thank you!

#4 - Honesty and integrity

The prayer is: "May integrity and honesty be our virtue and our protection".

Integrity means honesty; a quality of being unimpaired, or sound; being undivided. (as in standing firm on your beliefs in God's Kingdom). It means respect. From the virtue of integrity comes trust.

The scripture is Psalm 25:verse 21. I like to go back a few verses to verse 12 - 18, and 20 through 21:

"Are there those who respect the Lord? He will point them in the best way.
They will enjoy a good life, and their children will inherit the land.
The Lord tells his secrets to those who respect Him.
My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help.
He will keep me from any traps.
Turn to me and have mercy on me, because I am lonely and hurting.
My troubles have grown larger; free me from my problems.
Look at my suffering and troubles, and take away all my sins.
Protect me and save me. I trust you, so do not let me be disgraced.
My hope is in you, so may integrity and honesty protect me (guard me)."

This is a teaching in itself - directly from God and David. It pays to have integrity and honesty! It's everything to be trusted and respected! We know we can believe every word God speaks to us in his word - the Bible. We can trust Him. He demands respect, and gives us respect.

Lord, help us to always keep our eyes on you. Help us to always be honest and to stand firm in our faith and beliefs. Continue to teach us, Lord. Continue to lead us on the path we should go. Thank you, Jesus!

There is a simple song we used to sing at prayer meetings, which really has a lot meaning for us today:

How great is our God. How great is His name.
How great is our God. Forever the same.
He rolled back the waters of the mighty red sea,
And He said I'll never leave you -
Put your trust in Me.

#3 - Love

Ephesians Chapter 5, verse 2 is the scripture quoted for this virtue prayer from the bible. I like to look back to verse 1 also: "Try, then, to imitate God, as children of His that He loves, and follow Christ by loving as He loved you, giving Himself up in our place as a fragrant sacrifice to God." (read also Chapter 4, verses 25-32)

The prayer asks God to grant that we may learn to LIVE a life of love, through the spirit who dwells in us.

Isn't this a powerful, wonderful prayer? What does it mean to you? What is LOVE? I'm sure the bible is full of literally hundreds of love passages. It says that GOD IS LOVE! Are we willing to go as far as God did to show His love for us? I know I could never sacrifice one of my children like God did, and that was His ONLY son! (John 3:16) I'm sure He doesn't literally expect that of us, but He does want us to surrender our hearts and souls totally to Him, and follow in His footsteps. John chapter 13 verses 34 and 35: "I give you a new commandment - love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples."

There's a song we've sung so many times: "Oh, how I love Jesus, oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me"

I want my love for Jesus to be reflected in the way I show love for others - even those who may be difficult to love. If I can soften even one hard heart by merely showing I care, and show the love of Christ to them, maybe that one person will soften another's heart with love, then that one will reach out to others, and so on and so on and so on . . . maybe our cities, our nation, our world would all know the love of God, and just think of how wonderful that world would be!

Think of some creative ways to love your neighbor. Give a small gift to someone you don't think deserves it, strike up a conversation with that person looking so alone and apart from the crowd - he or she might just need a friend right now, bring a bag of groceries to the single mom down the street - she could be struggling to put food on the table this week, just smile and say hello to the next person you pass on the street, the hall, or the store - watch their face light up. There are so many ways to demonstrate the love of Christ. Some are very simple, while some may involve a little more effort, money or time. Let the Holy Spirit - who IS love - lead you. He knows just how, when and to whom His love should be expressed. Is He putting someone on your heart right now? Love them!

"And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love."

Prayer request

Please keep Linda and her boys in your prayers this week. Dennis's jury trial is scheduled for Monday, Feb 9th. And also the divorce hearing is scheduled for the afternoon of that same day. She is praying the divorce hearing can be settled out of court. Dennis is not wanting this. His criminal trial will be very hard. Pray that justice is served. Thank you!

#2 - Growth in Grace (2 Peter 3:18)

Sharon's and Michelle's comments in the previous posting on salvation lead right into this posting on Growth in Grace from 2 peter 3:18. Go there, and I suggest you read the whole of 2Peter chapter 3.

Paul is warning us to keep close to Jesus and to God's word, and never quit learning about Him. However, there are a lot of false teachings and teachers, so be careful. He tells us to "Be careful so we will not fall from our strong faith". In this day and age it would be so easy to "fall away". There is such a thin line between truth and the false. So, we need to stay close to God's word - read it daily - ask the Holy Spirit to teach us. HE IS THE TEACHER! And God's grace is bestowed upon us so we can make it through this time. His grace is a free gift! I'll say it again - a free gift! We don't need to earn it! He gives it freely. We just need to know it's there, and we need to accept it every single day, every minute of our days. Don't have a "lazy faith".

What is the grace of God? The grace of God says you serve God because you're saved, and not in order to be saved. You're not trying to earn God's good graces, you're responding to His Love and Peace.

What is grace? It's what someone gives us out of the goodness of his heart, not out of the perfection of ours. The story of grace is the good news that says that when we come, he gives. That's what grace is.

Grace is a pleasant surprise. Grace is a kind gesture. Grace is something you did not expect. It is something you certainly could never earn. But grace is something you'd never turn down.

You know what happens when someone sees the grace of God? When someone really tastes the forgiving and liberating grace of God? Someone who tastes God's grace is the hardest worker, the most morally pure individual, and the person most willing to forgive.

Always remember that Jesus says, "My grace is deeper than your sins".

"Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see . . . "

Father, how holy and great is your promise. You've been so good to us, but somehow, Father, we find things to complain about, even though we've been given eternal life. Renew our vision; help us to see heaven. Help us to know you even more, and to experience more of your Grace every day!

#1 - Salvation - Is. 45:8, 2 Tim. 2:10

In the reading from 2 Timothy chapter 2, verses 8-10, we read:

"This is the Good News I preach, and I am suffering because of it to the point of being bound with chains like a criminal. (These are Paul's words, you may want to go to this chapter in 2 Tim and read the whole chapter). But God's teaching is not in chains. So I patiently accept all these troubles so that those whom God has chosen can have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With that salvation comes glory that never ends!"

What is salvation? In the Reader's Digest Great Encyclopedia dictionary it says "The process or state of being saved; preservation from impending evil. Deliverance from sin and penalty". So, salvation means we are saved. Saved from what? Saved from the evil that is in the world! Saved from our sin and the penalty of our sin. Saved FOR the glory of God. Saved from an eternity in hell, saved for an eternity in heaven! It is VICTORY!!!

Sometimes life doesn't seem fair, does it? Have you ever wondered why good people have to hurt? Why the innocent suffer? Often it seems that those who have been most battered by life seem to understand Jesus best, and His assurance finds its way into the darkest corners of life, because regardless of our circumstances, God meets our needs. By surrendering to Him, the ultimate victory is ours.

What is unique about the kingdom of God is that you are assured of victory. You have won! You are assured that you will someday stand before the face of God and see the King of Kings. You are assured that someday you will enter a world where there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more sorrow.

If you have no faith in the future, then you have no power in the present. If you have no faith in the life beyond this life, then your present life is going to be powerless. But if you believe in the future and are assured of victory, then there should be a dance in your step and a smile on your face.

Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallow'ed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done . . . .

#31 - A heart for missions

"Lord, please help my children, my grandchildren - my family - to develop a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples"
(Ps. 96:3)

(This is the last of these "Biblical Virtues to pray for our kids, our grandkids, our families and ourselves". Now I will publish my sharings about each of the scriptures mentioned in these prayers. Also, I will publish stories and witness to each of these prayers. I ask that each of you also share your thoughts, stories, witnessing. As you read what I publish here, you may get little stories and thoughts, and memories - please jot them down here for all of us to share with you. We all really appreciate the comments that have been published with each prayer for these 31 days. Thank you!)

HOPE I'M DOING THIS RIGHT

I am no longer sure how to post a prayer request and have it end up where it belongs. Here goes...............

I offer a prayer of thanksgiving that Tiffany is now in a facility where she can get drug/alcohol abuse treatment, along with many other life-skill training programs. She can also get medical and dental treatment and counselling. AND the programs in this facility are Bible-based. Praise God!

Please pray that she stay the course until God is able to completely transform her into a new life with Him. Thank you Jesus for all you are doing for Tiffany.

If this posts somewhere other than prayer requests, maybe you can give us a refresher course on how to post a prayer request, Lonnie. Thanks!

#30 - Gratitude

"Help my children, grandchildren - my family - to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:20, Col. 2:7)

#29 - Prayerfulness

"Grant, Lord, that my children's, my grandchildren's - my family's - lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Eph. 6:18)

#28 - Self-discipline

"Father, I pray that my children, my grandchildren - family - may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair" (Prov. 1:3)

#27 - Passion for God

"Lord, please instill in my children, grandchildren - family - a soul that 'followeth hard after thee' (Ps 63:8), one that clings passionately to you."

#26 - Willingness and ability to work

"Teach my children, grandchildren - family - Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Col. 3:23)

Jeremiah 29:11-14a and Psalm 27:7-14

I posted these scriptures on the Hanson Happenings. I was praying for Tammy this morning and they came to me. As I was printing it, I realized that it is also meant for Linda, and all of us as well. Linda can substitute Dennis's, Jim's names where I substituted Rob's name for Tamara. Please read them either on that blog, or from your bible. Respond to what they are speaking to you. Thanks. Keep praying.

#25 - Hope

"May the God of hope grant that my children, my grandchildren - my family - may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13)

#24 - A servant's heart

"God, please help my children, my grandchildren - my family - to develop servants' hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men". (Eph. 6:7)

#23 - Faith

"I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's, grandchildren's - my familie's - hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them" (Luke 17:5-6, Heb 11:1-40)

#22 - Contentment

"Father, teach my children, my grandchildren - my family - the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength" (Phil. 4:12-13)

#21 - Responsibility

"Grant that my children, grandchildren - my family - may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load" (Gal. 6:5)

#20 - Compassion

"Lord, please clothe my children, grandchildren - family - with the virtue of compassion". (Col. 3:12)

#19 - Humility

"God, please cultivate in my children, my grandchildren - my family - the ability to show true humility toward all" (Titus 3:2)

# 18 - Perseverance

"Lord, teach my children, graandchildren - family - perserverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them" (Heb. 12:1)

#17 - Joy

"May my children, grandchildren - family - be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:6)

# 16 - Peace-loving

"Father, let my children, grandchildren - family - make every effort to do what leads to peace" (Rom. 14:19)

#15 - Generosity.

"Grant that my children, grandchildren - family - may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age" (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

# 14 - Kindness.

"Lord, may my children, grandschildren - family - always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else" (1 Thess. 5:15)

# 13 - Purity

"Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions" (Ps 51:10)

# 12 - Courage.

"May my children, grandchildren - family - always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions" (Dt. 31:6)

#11 - Faithfulness.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, grandchildren - family - but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts" (Prov. 3:3)

#10 - biblical self-esteem

"Help my children, grandchildren - family - develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:10)

#9 - Respect (for self, others, authority).

"Father, grant that my children, grandchildren - family - may show respect to everyone, as your Word commands". (1 Pet. 2:17)

#8 - Mercy

"May my children, grandchildren - family- always be merciful, just as their heavenly Father is merciful" (Lk. 6:36)

#7 - Justice

"God, help my children and grandchildren - family - to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do". (Ps 11:7, Mic. 6:8)

#6 - "Love for God's Word"

"May my children, grandchildren - family - grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb" (Ps. 19:10)

#5 - Self Control

"Father, help my children and grandchildren - family - not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do" (1 Thess. 5:6)

#4 - Honesty and integrity

"May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection." (Ps. 25:21)

#3 - Love

"Grant, Lord, that my children and my grandchildren - my family - may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them" (Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:2)

#2 - Growth in grace

"I pray that my children and grandchildren - family - may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18)

Biblical virtues I pray for my kids and grandkids

I pray these prayers and scriptures for all of you, some each day. I am going to post one a day for a month. You could pray them each day, too, for yourselves and for your kids, and for you parents, and aunts and cousins. Let's make it our daily family prayer! Post your thoughts and insights as you pray through these, if you want to.

(I got these off of a prayer card that one of my prayer group friends had given me a few years ago. The card is from
www.praymag.com)

#1. SALVATION. "Lord, let salvation spring up within my children and grandchildren, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory" (Is. 45:8, and 2 Tim. 2:10)

Thankfulness

On this Thanksgiving day, 2008, I am taking a moment to contemplate all that I have to be thankful for! Amongst all the troubles in the world, the troubles in the financial world, the wars, the pain and sickness and hardships, even in our own family, it is a little harder this year to find a "Thankful heart". But . . .

Gratitude comes from having the right perspective. It's being able to look at what we have and being thankful for that, not longing for what we don't have. So, I definitely have lots to be thankful for: God has blessed me with a wonderful family, we have a nice home, good jobs, cars, plenty of food and clothes - what more could we want?

Then God said to me (and to all of you, too) "Do you know why you should feel grateful? YOU are a part of God's plan, YOU are touched by God's tenderness and mercy and forgiveness, YOU are victorious in God's victory. What greater blessing could there be?"

It's incredible that anyone could look at the kindness of God, the faithfulness of God, and the goodness of God and not feel any emotion of gratitude.

Remember the Lord. Remember who is in control. Remember His goodness in the past. Remember God's closeness in the present. Remember His power for the future.

Read Jeremiah 29:11-14. Can you share a plan God has for you that you feel is being carried out.

Trust God!

Have you ever asked God - "If You're really God, then why is this happening to me? If You really love me like everyone tells me You do, then why haven't you brought me out of this awful circumstance when I know You could? " "Why haven't you brought healing to this one I am so faithful to pray for every day? I see you heal the one in the next bed at the hospital, but, you leave the one I pray for suffering, or dying." "Where are you in my life when everything is so topsy turvy and I am so afraid?" . . . . . etc. etc. etc.

Well, I believe that there can be no trust unless you have some unanswered questions in your life. If you know everything in your life, then there's no reason to trust God. Don't waste your time trying to figure things out that only God knows, because He's not telling!

I hope you understand that trusting God will change your life. It will set you free from the things you don't understand. And you may not be moving forward, not be able to move on, because you've got some of these "why's" and unanswered questions hidden away on the inside of you.

If you want to go full force ahead with God, then you need to stop continually asking questions that only He can answer. Stop demanding to know why, and instead, trust Him. I believe that trusting God is the answer to every problem you and I have in our lives. And it doesn't matter what kind of trouble it is. If we trust God, we can be set free from the burdens of our problems - set free to enjoy His peace and joy!

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

5 questions for a better life

1. Why am I here?

This question gets to the core of your life mission. Every experience, every contact and every gift or talent that you have exists to support you in accomplishing your mission in life. If you are alive, you are here for a purpose. What will be the most important mark you make on the world?

2. What would I like to learn?

The most interesting people are those with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Life is a learning journey. The more we learn, the more we grow ... and the richer and deeper our life experience. Make a list of things you'd like to learn and make plans to learn them. Be willing to try something new, something that takes you outside of your comfort zone.

3. What brings me joy?

Often it is the simple things that bring us the most joy. Make alist of the things that bring you joy, then begin incorporating those things into your life on a daily basis. Don't wait for a special occasion to purposefully make your life joyful. You deserve joy every day.

4. What am I most afraid of?

Fear can be our enemy, if we allow it to be. Fear also can be a great teacher and a catalyst for change. For example, fear that you will fail can motivate you to be creative and work hard so that you succeed. On the other hand, fear can keep you from living your highest potential if your fear paralyzes you from moving forward in your life. Once you identify your fear, you can begin determining ways to reduce the risk that your fear presents. Once you make the decision to overcome your fear, you find your fears are often more perception than reality. As a result, you fear less in your life than ever before.

5. What is one step I can take today to move closer to my ideal life?

Taking a step towards your dreams will generate excitement for the possibilities available to you. Write a vision of your ideal life and then move towards it one step at a time. Celebrate your steps along the way. Consider that following rules and tradition is not a prerequisite to success. Open your mind to creating your own opportunities.

pray for Josi

Please pray for Josi. She is in the hospital here. She is fighting infection in her pump that puts medicine in her body. I think that's the accurate report anyway. They are trying to decide whether to take her to Denver or leave her here. She needs surgery to remove it. I think they'll do it here. I talked to Mary Ellen a couple hours ago and she said they didn't know what to do yet. Joe drove here from Kalispell this morning and arrived at 7:30 and has been with her ever since. Debbie was with her all night, so she went home to rest. They are both very tired and very weary, but aren't giving up! So, they need our prayers, too. And pray for Josi's dog. He is dying. Mary Ellen didn't know why. Josi loves her dog. He sleeps with her and keeps her company. He's a doberman, so of course, I'm scared to death of him. This is a long hard struggle for everyone. August 13th was 2 years! God love her.

Don't be ashamed of standing up for Jesus

Read the comment I published under my last entry here.

Is God speaking to America?

Read 1 Chronicles 28:7-8

"If he continues to obey my laws and commands I will make his kingdom strong forever." I feel the Lord showed this to me as a warning for America. In this passage he is speaking of Solomon, but I feel it can be spoken to our leaders, and to us as well: " IF he is steadfast to observe God's commands and HIS judgements He will establish America forever." Vs 8 says "So be careful to seek out the commands and judgements of the Lord. (Pray - spend lots of time with Him, listen), so that this good land can remain as it is, and so it can be left as an inheritance to our children". And 2nd Chronicles 7:12-18 tells us how we stay in God's grace and how He will protect us. "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place (America in this instance), for a temple for myself. Things may go wrong, but then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven . I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land. I will listen to the prayers prayed in this place." Yes, I will always watch over it and love it (America?)

BUT . . . 2nd Chronicles 7:19-22 tells us what will happen if we forsake Him and His commandments. Or serve other Gods. "If you do, I will take the Holy Spirit out of this land. And I will leave this place. All the nations will make fun of it and speak evil about it. This place is honored now, but then, everyone who passes by will be shocked. They will ask, 'Why did the Lord do this terrible thing to this land?" The answer will be "This happened because they left the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the God who brought them out of Egypt (captivity to a free land). They decided to follow other gods and worshiped and served them, so he brought all this disaster on them."

Could this be a warning for America? Could He be calling us to pray for our land? I believe so. Be awake! Listen!

Read Romans 15:4 "Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope."

Fellowship with God

Do you want to be closer to God? He wants to be closer to you! The proof is that He lives inside of you. How much closer can He be? We can always draw closer in relationship with God. In fact, we are the ones who determine just how close our relationship with Him will be. Even though He lives in us, the Holy Spirit won't force a relationship with us. He wants us to make Him welcome in our lives. James 4:5 tells us that. . . He yearns for the Spirit {to be welcome} with a jealous love.

The questiion you and I should ask ourselves is this: Do I make room, or time, for God in my life? Just think about some of the natural relationships we all have. How would they be if we treated them the way we treat our relationship with God? Any good relationship is built on fellowship - spending time with each other - good, quality time! Talking and listening and enjoying each other's company. Dad and I are very close - and have been for 52 + years! Sometimes we talk to each other, sometimes we listen. Sometimes we have a lot of fun together, other times we don't agree on things. We don't keep secrets, we share everything! We consult with each other on the big things of life and make no major decisions without the other's guidance and approval. Sometimes we enjoy just being quiet togther.

Our relationship with God can be like that. We can talk to Him . . . listen to Him . . . or just be quiet in His presence. He just wants to be a part of our lives. He wants to help us have and enjoy life. Proverbs 3:6 tells us to acknowledge Him - in other words, to care what He thinks, to consult Him - in all our ways. It goes on to say that He will direct our paths, or He will guide us through life.

God created us to fellowship with Him. He longs to talk to us, to listen to us, to teach us and guide us - simply to be a part of our lives. We are renewed when we fellowship with God. Spending time with God strengthens and empowers us. There is protection in His presence. Psalm 91 is a great prayer of protection I (and others) prayed it for Brian and His buddies while they were in Irag. I pray it for each one of you at one time or another in your lives. The benefits of spending time with our Father are endless. All He wants is to have fellowship with His people. He wants a relationship with you and me! Wow! A God who created the universe, and everything and everybody cares about me! And you! Isn't that awesome?

Is there any wonder that the enemy hates and fights our time with God. He (the devil) knows that through that relationship, we become strongr in the fight against his tactics.

I encourage you to make time in your day to fellowship with the Father. He is waiting. There are many benefits of a close, personal relationship with Almighty God. He is saying, "Come to Me . . . " "Be still and know that I am God . . ." "I love you, my child . . . (place your name here) . . . "Can you hear me calling your name?" Go ahead - go to Him - fellowship with Him - and see what's in store!

Maybe we could all share a time or two when we "fellowshipped", talked with God, prayed, and we were blessed by it. Do you have a story to share?

Tribute to my Aunt Pat

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Thoughts for Today :
Grieving over the death of a loved one involves a process. This process will vary for individuals and may last several months or even years. Although working through the process is different for everyone, some things never change.
Jesus always understands. He experienced grief in the death of his friend Lazarus and in facing his own death and separation from his Father.
God's mercy is always available. Join the psalmist in this prayer: "Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful" (Psalm 69:16 ). God abounds in mercy and lovingkindness (Psalm 86:15).
God always loves you.
Today's Scripture assures us that nothing can separate us from his love--not death, not life, not worries about today and not fears about tomorrow. In times of stress and sorrow and change, God's love is a constant comfort. "I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul" (Psalm 31:7 ).
Consider this...
There is always hope. No matter how bleak things seem, if you place your trust in Jesus, he will guide you and fill you with hope for the future. Jesus Christ--the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Prayer:
Father, I thank you so much that even as everything else around me seems to be changing, I can always count on you. I know that you never change. You will always love me, always show me mercy and always give me hope.

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

God wants you to be wise and surefooted in your daily walk withHim, not allowing anything to come into your life that would causeyou to doubt His goodness.
He also knows that there will be timeswhen the enemy will tempt you to feel fearful and out of control.When this happens, you need to remember that you serve a sovereignGod who has good things in mind for your life.Even when troubles come, we may begin to wonder if we will everrealize the hopes and dreams that God has given us. Joseph, Daniel,Moses, David, and Peter and the other disciples probably faced thesame temptation to doubt God's blessing and goodness. However,these men of faith remained steadfast in their belief in the Lord'sability. They had to come to a point of faith where they boldly confronted their fears--and we do, too.The English word worry comes from a German word meaning "tostrangle or choke." This is exactly what worry does. It chokes and prevents us from living victorious lives by stifling our godly potential. Solomon, however, admonishes us to "catch ... the foxes, the littlefoxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom"(Song of Songs 2:15). The "little foxes" of sin have the ability toderail our Christian faith and sense of virtue.On the surface, few of us would think that a little worry, doubt,or fear is enough to harm our devotion to God. However, they can steal our joy and create within our hearts and minds a sense of distrust for the things of God. God is merciful. He has the power to conquer doubt, fear, and worry. When our lives are surrendered to Him, we don't have to be anxious about tomorrow. He provides all that we need perfectly and on time. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied (Luke6:21).

Comments under "HOPE"

I posted some comments under Karen's post on HOPE. Click on the comments and read them if you want. Thanks Karen for publishing these posts on Forgiveness, enabling, and Hope. I really appreciate that you are doing that. Such wisdom and revelation God gives for you to share with us! And thanks to Sharon, too - ditto! And Debbie and Chuck who have shared their insights, also. And Kay and Brian. It is good to go back through the posts and re-read them. I have been doing that and sometimes they mean more, or at least just as much, as they did the first time. God's word is powerful and it is very healing.

Something to think about ... RE: Josh...or anyone

Loving When It Hurts

Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

Did you know God expects you to love others unconditionally, even if they've hurt you? I know loving someone who has hurt you is hard; however, it's what God expects, which is why He has deposited His love in your heart. God's love gives you the ability to love the unlovable. His love gives you the power to love through hurt, pain, and any other circumstances your normal love would not be able to withstand. Let's face it, hurt is a very real part of life. Everyone has experienced hurt at some point. However, it's important not to allow hurt to cause you to become bitter, or prevent you from loving others. Although it may temporarily feel good to stop loving someone who has hurt you, it will eventually lead to heartache, unanswered prayer, and ultimately, destruction; which is why God commands us, above all else, to never stop loving. Did you know every law in God's Kingdom works by love? Your prosperity, healing, and deliverance, are all directly affected by your ability to love. God is love, and His power to prosper, heal, and deliver you operates in the circle of love. When you operate outside that circle, you put yourself in a position where God, who is love, cannot help you. Learning how to heal and forgive so you can stay in the circle of love, is vital to receiving the wonderful things God has for you. Maybe you've been hurt by a dear friend, or treated unfairly by a close relative. Either way, you've got a life—altering choice to make—either deal with your pain in a godly manner and continue to walk in love, or allow negative emotions to consume you, and ultimately destroy your life. The choice is yours! When you choose to walk in love, you position yourself to experience the power of God in every area of your life. He has the power to heal you of all hurt, and free you from the pain associated with it. However, you have to believe and trust Him to not only heal you, but also restore everything you've lost. God is faithful to His Word. Make a decision today, that regardless of what it takes, you will love others unconditionally. You'll be glad you did!
— Dr. Creflo A. Dollar Scripture references:
Mark 11:25
James 5:16
1 Corinthians 13
Psalm 35:27
Luke 10:19
Ephesians 6:12
Romans 5:5

Enabling: Thoughts for today

Thoughts for Today

Enabling is anything that stands in the way of or softens the
natural consequences of a person's behavior.

God does not want us to enable others in their wrongdoing. Neither
does he enable us when we choose to walk in disobedience to him. He
loves us too much to enable us in our wrongdoing. He knows that we
will not come to our senses and change our ways unless he allows us
to suffer the natural consequences of what we do.

The great thing is that, just like the father of the prodigal son,
our heavenly Father is loving us and watching for us. He wants us
to come home and will run out to meet us, showering his love, mercy
and forgiveness on us, when we return.

Consider this...
Do you need to return? Perhaps you have recently fallen into
something you know you shouldn't do...your Father is waiting for you.

Perhaps you have been locked into a downward spiral and feel as
though there is no way out. God always provides a way. He is just
waiting for you to come to him with a repentant heart. His arms are
open wide. ..no matter what you have done. Jesus has already paid
the price for your sin. Receive his forgiveness. He loves you
unconditionally and is waiting to help you.

Prayer...
Father, I am so sorry for what I have been doing. Please forgive me
and show me the way out. In Jesus' name ...

HOPE

Hope is required to see the fullness of your faith. When hope dies, your faith will die also. Expectation is the breeding ground for miracles. -What you fail to expect, your faith will fail to deliver. Write down what you expect, make it plain, and thank God for it now!

Some scriptures to ponder about Hope...
Hebrews 11:7
Proverbs 13:12
Acts 3:1-7
Ephesians 2:12
Romans 15:4
Psalms 119:81 and 114


Hope is earnest, heartfelt, favorable, confident expectation. It's a desirable goal from God's Word. It's expecting with an outstretched neck, looking for what you believe will happen. Your hope will change and rearrange your plans. Hope is required for your faith to work. Scriptures are essential to our hope.

Answered prayer - again

Praise God! I talked to Joan today, and asked her how Kenny is and told her about our prayers on this blog. She said he had his last treatment last week, and they have said he is CANCER FREE!!!! Thank you, Jesus!

But, we will continue to pray our novena (nine days) for him and his family - prayers for a healthy body and prayers of thanksgiving.

How We Perceive Ourselves Romans 8:16 & 17

HOW WE PERCEIVE OURSELVESRomans 8:16, 17 By Charles Swindol

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

Lydia is a middle-aged woman who was dealt a bad hand in liferight from the beginning. Memories of sexual abuse that she suffered as a young child have haunted her continually throughout her life. Her damagedself-image seemed beyond repair. As she told her story, Lydia displayed little emotion, but her words reflected total despair. When she concluded, I asked, "Who are you, Lydia? How do youperceive yourself?"
"I'm evil," she answered stoically. "I'm just no good for anybody. People tell me I'm evil and all I do is bring trouble."
"You're not evil," I argued. "How can a child of God be evil? Is that how you perceive yourself?" Lydia nodded.
It is never pleasant to see the evil one express his ugly personality through a victim like Lydia. But realizing that she is primarily the product of the work of Christ on the Cross instead of the victim of her past, she was able to throw off the chains of spiritual bondage and begin living according to her true identity as a child of God.

Nothing is more foundational to your freedom from Satan's bondage than understanding and affirming what God has done for you in Christ and who you are as a result. We all live in accordance with our perceived identity. In fact, we cannot consistently behave in a way that is inconsistent with how we perceive ourselves. Your attitudes, actions, responses and reactions to life's circumstances are often determined by your conscious and subconsciousself-perception. If you see yourself as the helpless victim of Satan and his schemes, you will live like his victim and be in bondage to his lies. But if you see yourself as the dearly loved and accepted child of God that you really are, you will more likely live like a child of God.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that You have made me more than a conqueror.Because of Your love and power, I can live as a victor instead of avictim today.

We are on day 9 of the novena for Kenny

Click on it in the links at the side ------>

Picture of Jesus sitting with "Josi"

Prayer for Josi: Thank you, Jesus, for being with Josi.
(Please publish your prayers for Josi in the comments)

You Say, God Says, Bible Verses:

YOU SAY

GOD SAYS

BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible"
God Says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"!
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Romans 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

Answered prayers for Josi!

I talked to Mary Ellen today. She had some hope for Josi in the news. She said that when she went to see Josi in the hospital at Craig in Denver, she turned her head to the left (or right, I don't remember which for sure) by herself. She never turned her head, let alone ever had it turned in that direction! And when Mary Ellen took the covers off her to see how she was doing for comfort and all, she felt her feet and they were warm! She said they hadn't been warm since the accident. The nurses or the doctors didn't understand why these things were happening. I do! God is answering prayers! Her 2 brain surgeries went well. She has been through so much, but needs so much more. Her joints were so stiff and growing wrong now. They were looking like they would poke through her skin! That will take a LOT of work to undo and a lot painful therapy to get better. So now we need to pray for her continued recovery. She will be there for a few months now. She has a wonderful room. Mary Ellen said that first they had her in the old part of the building in a ward and it was really awful, but now she's in the new part in a private room. There's even another room right off hers with a couch and chairs, fridge and microwave and Tv for Deb (her mom) and Bob (step dad) or Joe or siblings to stay in while she is there. That way someone can be with her all the time. God is good! He answers prayer above and beyond what we can even imagine!

WHO is Jesus?

We studied the bell - "Who am I in Jesus?" Now I think it would be good to answer this question: "Who is Jesus?"

Read Luke Chapter 9, verses 18 through 20. Jesus asked his disciples "Who do you say I am?" Disciples are people who follow Jesus. So, we need to know who it is we follow! Who IS this Jesus? This is a great question to ponder during these days before Easter, Easter, and afterwards. Please share your insights into this very important question.

This is the final day of the Novena for Kenny

Let us start the novena over from day one and pray it for all of our people we want to pray it for (I am praying it for Josi, Patsy, Mike, Kenny, Cathy and Gran, Linda and Joshua) with the emphasis on Kenny (Kimmet) this time.

Let us give thanks to our God for His unending love and mercy. Thank you, Jesus, for the healings and peace that will come from these novenas.

Novena - day 9

Read Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 12

"In Christ and through faith in Him we can speak freely to God, drawing near to Him with CONFIDENCE". This is such a wonderful promise in the bible. Isn't it just amazing that we have a pathway to God, that leads us right into His presence. We can speak freely and without fear. We can do this through our faith in Jesus Christ. And we can be confident that He is always there and available to us when we seek Him out.

Read verse 13 of the same chapter

"So I ask you not to become discouraged because of Kenny's sufferings - don't be disheartened by the trials he endures - they are for your glory!" Just stay with him and with your prayers on his behalf. They ARE being answered in God's time and in God's way.

God loves him, and all of us so much! The promises of His love and forgiveness are as real, as sure, as positive as human words can make them. But, like describing the ocean, its total beauty cannot be understood until it is actually seen. It is the same with God's love. Until you actually accept it, until you actually experience it, until you actually posses true peace with God, no one can describe its wonders to you.

A prayer for Kenny and his family from Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 14 to 21

"So I bow in prayer before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name. I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love ---how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.
With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. To Him be glory in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen."

Novena - day 8

Read the 16th chapter of psalms verses 9-11. This could be a prayer for Kenny.

His heart is glad and his soul rejoices, his body abides in confidence. Because, my Lord, you will not abandon him to the nether world, nor will his body undergo corruption in this life. God is showing him the path of life, the fullness of joys in God's presence, the delights at His hand - forever!

In verse 5 we read (and pray) The Lord is all I need. He takes care of me.

And in Psalms chapter 17 - verse 15b we read (and pray) When I wake up, I will see your likeness, Lord, and be satisfied.

God has the best for you, Kenny, take it all in!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus - you came so that Kenny could have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Please be with him in a mighty way - fill his heart with joy and confidence in your love for him, and help him see the promises you made to him. Thank you!

Novena - day 7

Read all of Hebrews, chapter 11

vs 1 - "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see."

vs 6 - "Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him."

Chapter 11 of Hebrews can encourage you by telling about peoples' faith. These examples should encourage you. Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good . . . It is a CHOICE to believe that the one who made it all hasn't left it all and that He still responds when we have faith enough to ask. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right. His help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it, those who come to Him and ask. Nothing results when we do nothing. Compared to God's part, our part is small, but necessary!

Prayer:

Lord, I am seeking you. I believe in you. I know you are with us and will make your presence known to Kenny and his family That is the greatest miracle of all. Thank You!

Novena - day 6

Read John chapter 5, verses 2-9 (do you see the words "Do you WANT to be healed"?)
Ephesians chapter 2, verses 4-6 (Do you see the words "God is rich in mercy because of His great love for us. By this
favor you were saved"?)
Hebrews chapter 10, verses 12 and 13 (Do see the words "When He forgives our sinfulness, our sins - they are forgiven
and forgotten by God"?)

In John the man had been sick for 38 years! He thought if he could just make it into the water in time, he could be healed. But, he never could get there in time. He had no one to help him. Jesus asked him if he WANTED to be healed. I suppose He already knew the answer. And Jesus healed him right there. Sometimes, when nothing works, maybe all we need is Jesus!

From Ephesians we read that God loves us so much! His mercy is never-ending because of this great love He has for us. By this favor (God's love), Kenny, your life was saved! God's mercy and love is beyond our comprehension!

In Hebrews we see that when we accept His sacrifice on the cross as our salvation, our sins die on that cross with Jesus. That's WHY God sent His dearly beloved only son - so that we could have life and have it more abundantly - to the fullest! Our sins are forgiven - and forgotten - when we come to the cross - ask forgiveness - accept Jesus as our savior - and repent. We can live in the rest of God, in the peace of God - because we have this faith in God, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit. We KNOW He will answer our prayer, that He desires for Kenny to have life and have it to the fullest, and that He has begun a work in him. And whatever He does for him, we know it is the best!

We just keep praying, believing, asking, receiving. NEVER GIVE UP ! ! !

PRAYER:

Lord, Jesus - Be with Kenny as he comes for healing. Help us to never give up, believing you are working a miracle for Kenny - in your way and in your time. We know his life has a purpose. You love him so much, and your mercy never ends because of this love. So, Lord Jesus, have mercy and spare him and his family from a life of hardship and sorrow - and give them abundant blessings and joy!

A-MEN !

Novena - day 5

Read Matthew chapter 7, verses 7 - 11

"For the one who asks, receives, the one who seeks finds, the one who knocks enters. The Father will not give us what is bad for us, only what is good. He will give good things to anyone who asks!"

We need to ask God for what we need. We must seek Him and only Him - nothing else can work out God's plan better than God Himself - and we must be with Him, seek Him earnestly. Keep knocking, be persistent with your knocking. God will open the door and let you enter into His presence, there to grant what you are seeking and asking. If my child came knocking on my door, begging me for whatever they needed, there is no way I could say "no" and slam the door in their faces, and go back to what I was doing. No - I would have to invite them in, and give them what they ask - something good for them. But if they asked me for something that I knew would be bad I would not grant that to them. Only what I know would be good for them. That's what a parent does. And so, our heavenly Father will give good things to His children who ask Him!

I am asking, Lord, heal Kenny totally - as a witness of your presence in our lives, and to show that you do keep your promises, I ask this boldly - in Jesus' name. We are seeking YOU and YOUR will and purpose for Kenny and his family. We seek YOU, we want to know you more, we want to see you in Kenny's trials. Help us know you truly are present in our world, and with us! We are knocking, Lord. Let us enter into the secret place of communion with you. We ask for your mercy. Show us that you hear our prayer. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Lord! A-men!

Novena - day 4

Read Romans chapter 4

Think of Abraham's impossible situation: He was 100 years old. Sarah was about 80 - well beyond child bearing years. But God had promised him his descendants would inherit the earth. Even though Abraham could not understand how he could possibly have descendants when he wasn't even having children, he beleieved anyway, he had faith in God's promise - in his impossible situation. His faith in God never became weak. He never doubted that God would keep His promise, and he never stopped believing. He, in fact, grew stronger in his faith and gave praise to God. Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what he had promised. So, "God accepted Abraham's faith". These words ("God accepted Abraham's faith") were written not only for Abraham, but also for us.

Read Romans chapter 5, verses 1-5

Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, we have gained access by faith to the grace in which we now stand, and we boast of our hope for the glory of God.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus - when we look on Kenny and his trouble he's in, we see an impossible situation. How could he ever be healed? How can he ever be healed of cancer and heart disease? Even though we do not understand, we just know that you can do anything. You can heal him. You know what he needs. You know the faith of his wife and his family! So, we just boast of that hope we have because of our faith in you. We all believe that you can do this miracle for Kenny. And we give you glory and praise for what you are about to do for him. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

Kenny is now cancer free! Thank you, Jesus! We just pray for continued health, for strength to return, and peace in his heart.

Novena for Kenny - day 3

Read 1Peter 5:7

Cast all your concerns on Him because He cares for you!

Nothing - absolutely nothing is impossible for (with) God!

Help us always to remember these words, Lord! Thank you for loving and caring for Kenny and his family. They CAN give you all the cares and concerns and worries they are trying to carry on their own. Lord, it is too heavy a burden for them to bear! So we do give you our concerns and worries, knowing and believing you will take them and carry them! We do know that nothing is impossible for you! So we come boldly before you and ask for your caring, loving, strong arm to hold Kenny close and comfort him, take away his pain and frustration. Give him the strength he will need to climb out of the place where he is - the darkness into the healing light of Christ. Thank you, Jesus!

Novena for Kenny - day 2

Read Zechariah chapter 9 verses 11 and 12

This is what the Lord is saying through these verses - "As for you, and for all who are praying this prayer in faith, for the belief you have in the blood convenant with God, I will bring Kenny from his dungeon, his place of darkness. I will return (give) you double what you ask for, because of your faith and hope, for what you are believing in your prayer for Kenny."

Prayer:

Oh Lord, we thank you for this promise. We, believe that you WILL bring Kenny out of where he is and into a better place. Help him to know YOU and to believe in the blood covenant with you. Bring him into your presence and minister your peace and love to him in a mighty way. Doubly bless him, and give him double what we are asking for him. Doubly bless his family, too. We do believe you can do infinitely more than we can ever imagine! We hold the blessed hope of your promises ever in our hearts, and we believe you WILL hear our prayer for Mike. Amen!

My version of a novena for Kenny

This novena can be prayed for Josi, Cathy, Gran, Kenney, and Pat, too! And anyone else you know who would benefit from it.

Day one:

Read all of 2 Samuel 9:13b +

Kenny always eats at the King's table (He is a child of the King of Kings - our God most high, and the King is wanting him to have ALL that He has for him.) He has Cancer (even so, he is blessed abundantly, beyond anything we can know or imagine)! Look at vs 7 of 2 Samuel 9 - "Fear not, I will surely be kind to you for the sake of your parents, Joan and Leo. . I will restore to you all the land (blessings) of your grandparents - Josephine and Adam, and you shall always eat at my table, says the Lord. (you will always be blessed abundantly.)

Prayer for day one:

Dear Jesus, guard Kenny. Help him to know he is your child. Bring all you have for him and open his arms and heart to receive YOU and what you have in store for him. Thank you, Lord, for his faith, and for the faith of his parents and grandparents. Bless him, and Patty, Jeff and Amanda, abundantly and forever! Do this for the sake of his family - that their faith would be strengthened and renewed - we pray for a miracle for Kenny.

Thank you, Jesus!

Who I am - IN CHRIST ! ! !

Joyce Meyer has been teaching on this all week - "Do you know who you are"? Like the Bell! I think it is so good that I ordered the CD! If you can get her on the TV or radio, or on Google, listen to her. She is so good and so easy to listen to.

Sharon's tip!

Sharon told me to google in You Tube and write in "How Great Thou Art" and "Ave Maria". So I did, and a lot of sights came on that I could click on different versions of the songs and listen to them. It is wonderful. I picked one out of "how Great Thou Art" and used it to meditate with. Beautiful. Try it.

Thanks Sharon!

What I gleaned from "the Bell"

To all who believe in HIM, He gives the right to become cheldren of God! We can know what God is like by learning what Jesus is like. We can learn what Jesus is like, by looking at us! Can people see Jesus in me? People do observe us to see if we act like a christian. Sometimes that's the measure they use to decide to follow Jesus or not. How do I act?

Jesus has made known everything He heard from His father. We can know it, too, by listening to Jesus and reading about Him in the scriptures. We are Jesus' friends, not His servants.

My body is for the Lord. I must be joined with Him, not with sin. I am united with Him! Honor God with your bodies. My body is a temple of God - He lives in me. I must not abuse His temple!

God cherishes us! The more we know Him, the more we will understand His love for us. We have been chosen by God - we belong, we matter, we have been accepted. We are a part of God's family!

He will send His Holy Spirit to give us the power to be a Christian - the power to be His witness, the power to be filled with Him and share Him with all around us. The Holy Spirit is our strength, our boldness, our helper, our teacher, the revealer of truth. He makes the word of God understandable! We cannot do all that is involved with being a Christian without the helper, God's Holy Spirit!

Jesus says we are the salt and the light of the earth. Salt preserves. It was used as a preservative for meats and perishable foods until refrigeration came along. It heals. Salt can heal wounds. It also makes us thirsty. That's why the bars serve pretzels and nuts - to make us thirsty so we'll order more drinks! The light shows the way. A light house on a dark night is a wonderful sight to sailors who are out at sea - it leads the way to safety. A flashlight can be a lifesaver when there is only darkness. It's so wonderful to be able to swith on a light in a dark room. We are the salt - making people thirsty for more of the spiritual, we are agents of God's healing touch, we teach people how to preserve their heritage in Christ. We are like the light house showing the way to God. "Thy word is a light unto my feet." The light leads the way - out of the darkness and into the light. When we are Christians we are observed!

Each of us is a part of the body of Christ. Each part is important, needed, required for the whole to function right.

We are not judged guilty when we are in Christ. We are not ruled by our sinful selves - we are ruled by the Spirit of God - if that spirit of God really lives in us. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and allow Him to direct your life. Study the bible to find what God expects you to do.

Our homeland is heaven. We are waiting for Jesus to come and to rule all things. I am important.

Jesus is our intercessor. He intercedes for us when we pray to His Father. He stands between us and the evils of this earth when we ask Him to. No one condemns us. No one can stand against us and win. We only need to call upon the name of our protector, our intercessor - Jesus Christ.

I am a new creature in Christ - the old me is gone! Sometimes that old me tries to come back, but if I repent and stay close to my Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to fill me anew, I know that old me has gone. I am a new creature.

We have the right to come to the Father through Christ. He raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with Him in the heavens. And nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from God's love. Even when we feel separated, just remember - He hasn't gone anywhere! It is us who have moved away from Him, but He's always there waiting for us to come back. And He welcomes us with open arms.

God is our strength. God made us His chosen people. He sealed us with His spirit to show we are His. He put His spirit in our hearts to be a guarantee for all He has promised. Everything works for the good of those who love Him. He says: "You did not choose me, I chose you. And I give you this command: go and produce fruit, fruit that will last, then the Father will give you anything you ask for in Jesus' name.

I can do all things through Christ who stengthens me. He gives me what I need to accomplish whatever He asks me to do for His Kingdom. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. Without the vine, the branches die. We can do nothing without Him! With Him we can bear much fruit.

I have been justified (Just as if I'd never sinned) through the blood of Jesus. Jesus paid for our sins and in Him we are forgiven.

We work together with God - do not let the grace you received from God be for nothing. God has made us what we are. He planned in advance what we are to be doing and He has provided the grace to do it. God will perfect what He has begun in me. He ain't finished with me yet!

God has made us His own children. Because of Jesus being sacrificed as the perfect Lamb of God and His precious blood being spilled for me and for you we have been adopted. Adopted into the family of God. We are royalty. We are co-heirs with Jesus to all that the Father has!

Do you know who you are?

The Bell

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship(Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know

who you are!?

He's Coming!!

Are you making way for the coming of the Lord? As we prepare to celebrate the arrival of the Messiah, let's remember that this whole holdiay in December was created to celebrate the greatest gift mankind ever received. How do you perceive that gift to be?

I perceive that gift to be one that I sometimes simply cannot wrap my mind around. Jesus Christ allowed himself to be beaten and tortured and then murdered on a cross so that I can have eternal salvation. WOW!! I'm sorry, folks, but I am too chicken to ever allow anyone to hurt me, no matter how much I might love you. And in the three short years of His ministry, Christ gave us such a good and peaceful and powerful code of ethics to live by.

Because of the sacrificial Lamb, I will stand before my God one day -- and that day will last for eternity.

What does it mean to you?

John 3:16

Our move to Billings brought out the gifts God gave me.

I've been wanting to tell some more of the story of how God can bring beauty out of the ashes. He had to go to extreme measures to get my attention! If it wouldn't have been for our home and everything we had burning up in our fire, we never would have moved from here, and I never would have had the opportunity to find out that I truly could do whatever I felt God was calling me to do.

Before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, born again, I would never have had the courage and boldness to step out and do some of the things I found myself doing when we moved to Billings. I immediately found a prayer group there. It seemed as though I had known these people forever, not that they were new friends to me! We had so much to share of the Lord! What a privilege it was to be able to live there for 19 years!

In those 19 years, I felt the Lord calling me into many areas of service in the church. One of those, and the first one, was to lead the music at St. Pius. Our dear friends, Ed and Hazel Havens, had moved to Billings about a year before we did. They were our friends for about 15 years before they moved. They had 3 daughters, who were Linda's and Janet's age, and one in between. Terry, LeeAnne, and Jackie. One night I walked into the church just to pray. When I walked in there was Terry, LeeAnne and Jackie! They were practicing with Terry playing her guitar, and Jackie and LeeAnne were singing. When I walked in they were so happy to see me, and ran up to me with hugs and excitement. Lonnie, can you help us? They said we can't do the music for church unless we have an adult involved with us and no one wants to! I said I'd give it some thought. I went home and prayed and read scripture and talked to my Mom and Dad, who were living there at the time. Every time I opened my bible it was a passage about music and singing. Whatever I was listening to on the radio said Sing to Lord! I overheard conversations about singing. I asked my Mom and Dad and they said "sure you could do that", so I figured all that was the Lord speaking to me. I said Yes! And what came from that Yes was absolutely amazing! Not my doing, for sure, but because I was obedient and said Yes, the Lord worked everything that happened through me! Our group grew and grew. We had about 30 of us. We had guitars, instruments, and drums. I knew nothing about music, but these kids gave it their whole heart and soul! Karen learned to play a guitar, and she joined the group. Janet played the drums, and the rest of our family sang. We had several other guitars. It was amazing! One Christmas Janet played her drums at the offertory of the mass while we sang "Little Drummer Boy", and she marched right up to the altar and the baby Jesus in his Creche. People began coming to our mass from all over town, and we soon had to have the "St. Pius Shuffle" to get everyone in the church. We had lots of empty seats, no music when we first started. That is a "miracle" from God. Now, this is only one area where I said "Yes". I'll share others later.

I just wanted to encourage you all to listen for the Lord's calling on your life. You'll hear it the same way I did. And, even though you don't feel equipped to do what he calls you to do, you can do it - IF it truly is the Lord speaking to you. He seems to say "Listen to the desires of your heart. I place that desire and talents in you so that My Kingdom can grow."

Psalm 66 was one of the passages I received when I was trying to discern His voice. Read it sometime. I especially like verse 1 and 2: "Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing of his glorious name! Tell the world how wonderful he is." and then verse 16: "Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me"

Above is a picture of our group. There is another row of kids behind the guitar players on the right.

Read Sharon's post of Nov. 12 again!

I just re-read Sharon's post from Nov 12 - "I Have a Question for you". And as I was reading it again I felt a sense of urgency that these words are so important and need to be listened to AND acted upon. So, I encourage each of you to read that again and ask God how you can do that? I know you would hear an answer to your question because I feel God really wants us to hear this word and that it is truly from HIM. He won't answer in an audible voice that you hear roaring down from heaven, like Moses must have heard, or some of the other old testament prophets, but you hear him through circumstances, people, coincidential things happen all around you. Doors will open for you to bring God to wherever He has placed you and whomever He has placed there with you. He asks only that you respond and obey! And when you do, you aren't in it by yourself. You are merely the instrument, the visual that God uses to speak to people, to minister to them, to love them with the Love of God. You may be the only Bible some of them ever read. You may be the Holy Spirit with skin on for them to be able to see and hear and believe in Him. And the Holy Spirit will reveal to you what you are to say and what you are to do. He will teach you all things, so you can pass that knowledge on. Read Sharon's post, and listen for God's word to you. Share with us here, if you want.

Check it out

This morning in my prayer time, I felt God tell me "TRUST" and then God blessed me with these scriptures:

Psalm 100. Check it out, it is really short. Especially find the last lines reassuring "He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation."

Isaiah 26:3 & 4. "He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord. Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength."

Isaiah 30:15. "...Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved: in quietness and confidence is you strength.."

Isaiah 30:19-21. "And if you leave God's paths and go astray, you will hear a voice behind you say 'No, this is the way: walk here."

Then God asked me to share His word with all of you because His words mean something special to at least one of you at this point in time, just as they do to me.

Our God is a faithful God!

I HAVE A QUESTION

I found this in my Bible. It is dated 5-1-06. I believe I jotted it down during service one Sunday.

"Hear me people.
Hear me.
Time is short.
Bring me to the lost.
Time is short.
Bring me to the lost before it is too late.
Hear me people."

Now, that was about a year and a half ago, and I need to ask myself, have I brought God to anyone, or anyone to God, in that time? This command isn't a new one, Jesus told us to bring the gospel to all the world. How many ways do you suppose there are to do just that?

Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, love.love.love. ???Forgive, hold your tongue, lend your ear, have patience. ??? Support our missions and our missionaries. Pray.Pray.Pray. Engage a stranger in a "God" conversation. ???

How do you act on this command?

The pursuit of happiness

Hi all! Mom had asked me to share some of my insights on her blog, so here I am, finally getting around to it. I was reading the prayer requests and the answered prayers. I just love this family - I love our childlike faith and don't we have such a great sense of humor? We are funny people! And God is good - look at how He listens!

I have been thinking a lot about happiness lately. Let me know what you think of my ideas. I think happiness is like world peace... it's not gonna happen. That doesn't mean we don't pray for it or pursue it, it just isn't possible. We have moments of happiness, maybe even days of it, but something always happens to spoil it. That's the way of the world. Then there's joy. Joy is possible in spite of circumstances. It's one of the Fruits of the Spirit, which means it is only possible with Christ. Have you ever felt happy and you wondered why you were happy? "My life is a mess!" but you were happy anyway? That's joy - that's the Spirit. That's the natural consequence of living in obedience to Christ. The other fruits are - love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. If you have all of these in your life, it's the evidence that you are living in sync with God's will. So whenever I feel anxious, or mean, or depressed (or any one of the opposites of the fruits) I have to ask myself in what area of my life am I not being obedient to Christ? Then (and this is the important part) I go before Him and confess what I've done, and pray for guidance to get right again. This is why I read my Bible everyday - so that I know what I am supposed to do.

OK - I could go on..... and on..... and on...... but that's enough! Thanks for listening. Love you!

CHUCK

I do believe that God has put it on my heart to pray for Chuck's knee. Will you all please join me.

Heavenly Father, Creator of the human body; Brother Jesus, Master Healer; Holy Spirit, who breathes new life into believers,

I hold Chuck up to you this evening. Please lay your hand on his knee, Jesus, and heal every part of it. Remove the cause of the pain and swelling and replace it with total mobility and strength. With pain comes discouragement, so breathe new life into Chuck's spirit and don't allow the discouragement to abide there any more! Speak to Chuck through your Holy Spirit, Lord. If he is to be mobile, nudge him into activity. If he is to rest, nudge him with a reminder that you created his body and you will heal it - but he needs to co-operate by resting. Use this "down" time to draw Chuck even closer to you, Father. Let his relationship with You deepen and grow. Free Chuck of any concerns he might have through this time, take his mind off of any worry and lead him into focusing on you and all that you have for him. Fill Chuck with a peace that surpasses all understanding and bless him again and again. Bless Deedle as she helps Chuck through this time. I pray in Jesus name.

Thank you Jesus for what you are about to do for Chuck.

A little of my history

I am LeLawne Mae Gratton Eve (Lonnie Eve). I am the first born of Chuck and Dorothy Gratton. I was born on June 18th, 1937 in Rock Springs, Wy., where I lived until I was 6 weeks old. Then we moved to Harlem, Mt, and then to Havre, Mt., and finally settling in Chinook, Mt., which is right in the middle between Harlem and Havre. I graduated from high school there in 1955, and then went on to college in Great Falls, where I met and married my husband (of 51 years now). We had seven children - 5 daughters and 2 sons, 2 beautiful daughters-in-law, 4 great sons-in-law, and 9 grandchildren. We lived in Great Falls for 20 years, and then moved to Billings and lived there for 20 years, and now have moved back to Great Falls, where I'm sure we'll be for the duration. We are so blessed! We have a wonderful family. Good jobs. And each other. It's a great life!

When I was in college in Great Falls, Mt.
My mom and Dad and little sister, Patsy and me
This is me

Jesus calms the storm

In Mark Chapter 6, verses 48-50 we read that the disciples were out on the sea and Jesus was alone on the land. He had sent them to go ahead of him in the boat across the sea to Bethsaida. Jesus went up into the hills to pray. That night the boat was in the middle of the lake, and Jesus could see the disciples struggling so hard to row their boat against the waves. It was getting very stormy, and the waves were getting stronger. So Jesus went out to them, early in the morning, walking on the water! When they saw him they couldn't know who he was. They thought he was a ghost. After all, who could walk on the water like that? He frightened them. So Jesus spoke to them and said, "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind became calm. They were greatly amazed!

That stormy night on the sea of Galilee, Jesus manifested a power beyond anything we can comprehend. It wasn't a "magic trick" that calmed the elements, but the Creator's control over His own creation. They had just been with him that day as he multiplied the fishes and the loaves and fed 5,000 people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish! (read the previous chapter in Mark 6:35-44) The disciples had seen Him work this miracle, and were filled with faith from being a part of it.

The same is true for us! We have had answers to prayers and our faith is built up. We know by personal experience that God loves us and cares for us. Yet in the middle of the night, when the storm rages most fiercely, we still cry out with fear.

How did Jesus respond to the disciples' fearful cries? Did he tell them to buck up and stop being babies? No, he told them to have courage. Then he climbed into the boat and calmed the wind. And that's the way he treats us, speaking a word of courage, assuring us of his presence, and calming our souls. We may feel that we are alone on a dark night, in the middle of an angry sea, but the truth is that God sees us no matter where we are or what we are going through. Just as Jesus walked on the water to come to the disciples in the experience of the storm, he can use the very problems we experience in order to come to us and calm our fears.

So, when you are in the middle of the storms of life, just know Jesus is there with you - he's in the boat with you - and when you recognize Him, He will calm your storms. Just know that.

WOW! Here is a great resource I found. Thought I'd share. It is helpful to me. Hope it is for you too! Love , Karen...

YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"!
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Romans 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)