Joshua 1:9

"Have I not told you: be strong and stand firm? Be fearless, then, be confident, for go where you will, Yahweh your God is with you."

My prayer with this scripture:

Help me, Lord - I am weak and I am fearful - I have no confidence in what I can say or do! But - in You I can be all that You would have me to be! Thank you for your promise that wherever I go, whatever I do, YOU go with me!

And Isaiah 41:9 1/2 through verse 10 and verse 13: "You are my servant, I have chosen you, not rejected you', do not be afraid, for I am with you; stop being anxious and watchful, for I am your God. I give you strength, I bring you help, I uphold you with my victorious right hand. For I, Yahweh, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, 'Do not be afraid, I will help you'.

I thank you, My Lord, for knowing me through and through. You know I get fearful and anxious. I am so blessed to know you. To know you are my God, and you have chosen me - not rejected me! Thank you for giving me strength to face whatever is coming, thenk you for your help. I reach up to you, and put my hand in the hand of GOD ALMIGHTY. How could I be afraid. I know you are helping me. Please, Lord, help our country. Have mercy on your people. God bless Israel and America!

Lonely? Turn to me, says the Lord

I found this pamphlet from "Life Spring", and thought I would post it here. So many of us need to hear God speaking this message to us now.

"Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.

Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress.

Consider my affliction
and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins."

Psalm 25:16, 18

Even David, a king and a hero, knew loneliness and despair. In this psalm he asks God to help him in his troubles - - to comfort him. Each of us, at certain times, experiences loneliness. We wish that a friend or family member would reach out to us in a personal way. We would like to talk to and be with someone who cares about us.

Even though people aren't always there when we need them most, we can be assured that God is present with us at all times. God comes to us. God knows and hears our troubles. God is our constant companion and friend.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I feel very lonely today. No one calls or stops by. I feel like David - - lonely and afflicted. It helps me to know that you are there.

Thank you for being with me at all times, for hearing my troubles, and for forgiving my sins.

Amen


I picked this pamphlet up somewhere along the way - in Billings when I was the Religious Ed Director at St. Pius. The date on it is 7-02-90! copyright 1990 Augsburg Fortress. Couldn't be more perfect for right now, could it?

Praying the scriptures

I will often open my bible, and read what is there. I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truths and inspirations of those verses I read. A word or a phrase or a paragraph or whatever will sort of "come off the page at me", and I will stop there. I meditate a little (or a lot) and then I can usually use that as my "revelation" of what to pray for at that particular time. The bible is so full of prayers. The Psalms, the letters, Isaiah, have lots of prayers, as do so many other books of the bible. This reading from the book of Ephesians chapter 1, verses 16 and 17:

"I have never failed to remember you (insert name of person you are praying for) in my prayers and to thank God for you. May our Lord Jesus Christ give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed to bring you to a full knowledge of him."

1 corinthians 16:verses 13 and 14: (I want to pray this one for myself, but insert whatever name you want here) "Lord, Help me to be awake to all the dangers; to stay firm in faith; to be brave and strong - to have courage and truth. Help me to do everything I do or say in love".

Or the passion of Christ and after the resurrection - Luke - chapter 22 through chapter 24. Meditate on each event there, and pray as you are being prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray. Or Luke Chapter 11 - The Lord's prayer. Wonderful scriptures to pray!

Pray with a daily devotional - one that has scriptures with that day. Read those scriptures, read the devotion for the day, then your prayer can take off from there.

Then, of course, the Psalms. Find one that is speaking to you and meditate on all the words. Pray it! Psalm 5 - titled MORNING PRAYER in my Jerusalem bible - especially verses 1-3, are a great prayer to start your day. Psalm 51 - a psalm of repentance. Just a few verses that pray!

Go on your own "treasure hunt" through the verses of the bible. You will be rich and blessed, and grow close to God.

Prayer and the words of God from scripture, are so powerful! They work well together.

A great teacher!

I watched the best teaching on TBN today! Google in baylessconley.com and click on to one about heart something. Maybe I'll get a better title for you. He's a wonderful teacher. Very inspiring and fun to listen to.

Prayer for Russ

Please go to the Eve's Dropper, look into the post titled Pray for Russ, scroll down to Kay's post and then my last post to see the latest news on Russ. Read that scripture I posted there. Continue praying for him, please. God can work miracles. He can fix Russ's heart.

Thank you for your prayers!

A prayer for Karen

Please pray with me:

Lord Jesus, Karen is your beloved daughter.
Snatch her, Lord, from the grasp of your enemy.
Cover her with your precious blood and flood her with the healing waters of your love.
Let her know that a great and good God is her provider.
Send her some people to love her - send your angels to minister to her.
Give her the grace of repentance. Lord, help her to turn around and go on your path. Help her before she does further damage to herself and to those who love her.
Help her before she sinks more deeply into the path the enemy has laid before her.

You are God. You are Lord.
Thank you, Jesus, that you have the ability
to turn every attack of the enemy to great good.

Do that now, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen!

Ecclesiasticus 30:21-27

I prayed this morning for all of us. I prayed against the spirit of depression that is rearing it's ugly head these days and causing all kinds of troubles for some of us. I opened my bible and here is what I read:

"Do not abandon yourself to sorrow,
do not torment yourself with brooding.
Gladness of heart is life to you
Joy is what gives you length of days. (Our prayer group in Billings was called
"The Children of Joy and Gladness" - just
an interesting aside.)
Beguile your cares, console your heart,
Chase sorrow far away;
For sorrow has been the ruin of many,
and is of no use to anybody.

Jealousy and anger shorten your days,
and worry brings premature old age.
A genial heart makes a good trencherman,
One who benefits from his food."


I had to look up the meaning of a couple of these big words:

Beguile means to mislead, deceive, cheat.
Genial means kindly, pleasant, cordial in disposition or manner.
A trencherman is someone who sponges, a hanger-on. Someone who likes to eat, it
says in my dictionary.

So, "beguile your cares" means to mislead, deceive, cheat our cares. They cannot drag
us down.
A genial heart, or someone who is kindly, pleasant, cordial in disposition, makes a
good friend. I wonder if a "Trencherman" is someone who never lets you down,
a person you want to be around - to go out to lunch with! ???

I thought this was a good reading for today. I will follow up with ideas I find to
help bring us our of sorrow and sadness and torment into Joy and Gladness!

Do you have any ideas or ways you have found to bring you our of the doldrums?

Ecclesiasticus 32:1-3 (or Sirach)

As I was praying today for our president, our country and our world - I was drawn to this scripture from my Jeruselum bible. This is a book that is only in the Catholic Bibles. It is a favorite book for me to read, I get so much out of it. I hope you all have a Catholic Bible around just so you can read this book.

Chapter 32:1-3 says this: (I am praying for our president)


"Have they made you president?
Do not let it go to your head, or behave like everyone else in your party.
See that the people are happy, and then sit down yourself.
Having discharged your duties,
Take your place, and enjoy yourself with the others.
THEN you will receive the crown (reward)
for your competence."

Keep in mind this book of the bible is not Ecclesiast-es, but Ecclesiasti-cus, and is also the book of Sirach.


Any thoughts - anyone?

The condition of the world!

The earthquakes and tsunami's as a result of them. It is a scarey time, IF all we do is read and hear the news. Washington state is included in the tsunami warnings. Have you heard anything about that, Hanson's? I have been praying all day today. I'm praying the blood of the precious lamb of God over those I know and love, and all people in the path of this disaster! I pray for God's mercy and grace. I pray all will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And that we all know the "Blessed Hope" of knowing God in all HIS glory, in His Son, and through His Holy Spirit.

And now I am hearing of massive flooding, tornadoes, thunder and lightening all over the Eastern and sounthern U.S.


Read Matthew 24 through chapter 25:1-13

What are your thoughts on this?

Pray!

I just can't help myself!

I'm very interested in what is going on in our government and politics. I'm interested. I'm holding my breath, but interested nonetheless and turning to my bible.

Look what I found!: Romans 13:1 tells me: "let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God" And it goes on to make clear that I am to respect authorities and obey the law," Romans 13:2-6. I am also to "pay to all what is due them--taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, honor to whom honor is due." Romans 13-7.

Romans 13:8-10 goes on to say that all the commandments about how God's people are to treat each other "are summed up in this word, 'love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."

Clearly I'm supposed to love the legislators -- all of them, no matter what their views. And they are to love all of us, no matter who we are or what our views are. This makes me chuckle, because I've never thought of it this way. I think we should surround the legislature -- every single member -- and all the staff and others who are there, with love and prayer.

Now, let me see: Love, from Romans 13 to Corinthians 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol" - - AMEN!!!

Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1-2

Read these few verses when you have a minute.

What do YOU hunger and thirst for? King David, who wrote these psalms, was in a desert place in his life. Like we are at times, too. He went in search of the living water, the living God. He wanted the Lord more than anything else. God's presence was food and water to him.

Have you ever been that thirsty for God? You know the feeling. That empty longing. That deep hunger in your heart for something more-the need to be fulfilled. And you keep looking and searching and longing and you never quite get there.

I know I tried to fill this vacuum with things I thought would work. Music, parties, dancing, Elvis, TV. Shopping, and buying things when I can. Filling the spaces in my house and closets with "things", just "stuff". I would strive for success, and try to please everyone and expect people to please me. I sought satisfaction in all my relationships, and I would drain people dry with all my needs (especially my wonderful husband, and parents, and trying to impress people who I thought were my friends). But none of these things ever really fill that empty place. That's because the empty place was designed by God to be filled with Him only! And we all have that place of longing within us! This great hunger in our hearts and our souls can only be satisfied with the presence of God!

The music, the parties, the TV programs, the shopping, the "stuff", etc., all comes to an end and the emptiness and loneliness are still there. Relationships didn't always turn out the way I thought they would, and there I was - still longing for whatever it was I thought I would gain from it! I still felt empty and lonely!

Eventually everything comes down to just me. Alone. And there is nothing I can grasp on to that is lasting -- except the presence of God. Jesus is the way to the Father. I found that wonderful presence of God in my life when I finally let my guard down and let Jesus into my heart. What a wonderful day that was! It was the beginning of my journey into the heart of God - into His very presence! That was in 1974. Every day it is a new adventure. Some days there is such a desert, such longing and thirst and hunger for God. God wants us to come after Him, to seek Him.

David looked for God. He went after Him. He searched Him out until He found Him. And then he laid his feelings and longings at His feet. Psalm 38:9. David found God because he sought Him - He searched for Him.

The way I draw near to God and seek out His presence is to worship and praise Him. I usually set aside some time every morning to be with HIM. I will often listen to teachings, some praise and worship music, read my scriptures, and just ASK HIM to soak me in His love, His presence, and I just feel Him near. I know He wants to be with me, and I want to be with HIM. The loneliness, the emptiness just are gone, and so is an hour or two of my day, when our time together is over. And then the rest of my day is filled with His presence as I go about my day.

I have not been faithful to my time with God in the mornings for a month or two, but now I'm there again. I felt the emptiness, the anxieties, the world pulling me in, the loneliness, when I wasn't keeping my time of seeking God.

Somewhere in the bible, and I can't remember where, God says "I dwell in the praises of my people", and He does. Praise and worship, song and scripture opens the gates to a more fulfilling life.

Read 1 Chronicles 28:9 in your bible. Have you been able to lay your heart bare before the Lord? Have you been able to reveal all of how you feel to Him? If not, tell Him now. If you have, tell Him again. And then write out a prayer of praise and thanksgiving for His presence in your life. Tell Him all the ways you worship and glorify Him.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

A very blessed and holy Christmas for everyone. May your New Year be filled with peace and happiness.

For the seasons, here is an interesting link discussing the world's most annoying Christmas song, 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.'

Enjoy!

http://www.tothepointnews.com/content/view/4346/2/

"Talk nice" still a valuable rule to remember

Whatever happened to, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? My parents and my grandparents taught me and my sisters this from a very young age. These beloved folks were not a bunch of woosses - they lived through two world wars and the great depression. Bitter experience taught them that a hard life is easier when people are kind to teach other.

"Talk nice" was my rule no matter how crummy I felt or how upset I was about not getting my way. They knew it was one of those simple things, free except for one's sacrifice of pride and self-will, that made life go more smoothly on what was often a very bumpy road.

I often heard this poem: There was a little girl,
who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead
When she was good,
She was very very good,
But when she was bad, she was horrid.
I only recently learned that this poem was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
I usually heard it in early childhood during one of my (or one of my sister's) temper tantrums.

"Talk nice" isn't for people who want to bully or show others how angry they are. There are times and places for strong words, I agree, but most of these words, I've noticed - in stores, restaraunts, on the street, in homes, and even in congress and their campaigning for office - could probably be received better by being delivered in a kind spirit and "nice talk".

As I hear all the public shouting these days, and the foul language that is so freely spoken, the "talk nice" of my upbringing sounds hopelessly out-of-date. But if it is, then so is my bible, which is full of admonitions to treat others with kindness and compassion, including The Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12 - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The Gospel of Matthew is clear that what we do to others, kind or unkind, we do to Jesus Himself. Matthew 25:31-46.

Yet unkind words seem the temper of our times, especially in the public arena. But anger, however justified or liberating it may FEEL in the moment, never seems to convince anyone of anything. Maybe the underlying source of children bullying in the schools and on the internet is this bad adult behavior.

Jesus called anger and harsh words offenses against God. "But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire." Matthew 5:22.

We could do a lot worse than re-adopting the old-fashioned, "talk nice." And if our hearts can't feel it, we need only "fake it until we make it." In other words, "If you can't say anything nice, say nothing at all", and one day you'll discover, "Hey, I'm not talking mean or foul anymore!" That will be a great day. That will be my goal from now on - one day at a time!

The heavens declare the glory of God!

Holter Lake in the evening and in the fall daytime.




From the book of Sirach, chapter 39, verses 16 through 17:

"The works of God are all of them good;
in its own time every need is supplied.
At His word the waters become still as in a flask;
He had but speak and reservoirs were made."

This is such a wonderful verse of scripture. Sometime you may want to read the whole chapter. The book of Sirach, or the book of Ecclesiaticus, are found only in a catholic bible. It is one of the books that was not included in King James version, for some reason. But it is such good reading and such good direction.

As we spent our days camping, I can always know that God is the creator of the universe. He is my creator. And I know that everything He created is good! I know He is there, caring for my every need and watching over me and mine. I know that just at His word the waters become still. Like a still, small voice inside of me, I feel the calming effects of spending time with Him. I feel the reservoirs of water (the Holy Spirit) well up within me. And I know He is there! What a comfort.

We look up into the night sky and behold the millions of stars, the milky way, the moon. And they are there every single night - never changed. We know there is a God! A God who loves us. A God who loved us so much He sent His only son down here to walk with us and live among us, and be led to the cross to carry all the sins and pains and sorrows of mankind and nail them to the cross, so we could be "saved" and have eternal life.

What an awesome God we serve!

psalm 8

I read Psalm 8 tonight and was really touched by it. I was thinking about it and praising God with some music I have that goes with it. It reminded me of something I had put away in my heart and hadn't thought of for a bit.

One night in 1974, after completing a "Life in the Spirit" seminar, and feeling so full of the Spirit and blessed and happy, I was driving home. It was dark, and there was a little "heat" lightening in the sky. I'm driving along and the cloud opened up, and there was an image of a Jesus who loved me. I was just amazed, and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Then it vanished into the clouds. That night in 1974, God cracked open my heart.

I was in a bad way for a few months. Nothing seemed okay. I was tired. I went to all the church things, prayed my rosary faithfully, made sure my kids attended catechism and youth group, etc. Yet, God felt absent. I couldn't see the way forward and my emotional pain was the worst I'd yet experienced. I felt empty, abandoned, helpless. (I won't go into the problems here, the rest of the story is the point). Finally I cried, "I can't do it anymore, Lord. It's up to you. Your will be done!"

That was when God's grace flooded over me, washing away the fear, pride, allowing me to experience the God of the universe - the creator of all of it - MY Creator - MY LORD!!!! I felt God's boundless compassion and mercy for all, and for ME!

Ps. 8:3-4 - - - "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are we that you are mindful of us, mortals that you care for us?"

This is one of the grand mysteries of the universe. Why should God care for us?

And yet, when I read the bible for the grand sweep of God's romance with humanity it's clear to me that God has gone to a lot of trouble to help us understand.

Read through Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews and see a little of the troubles God has with His children. We so easily forget what God has done for us.

Ps 8:5-8 - - - "Yet you have made them (man) a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen . . . the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea."

I can just picture God sending His only son, Jesus, to us, saying "Do you think they'll understand how to face the world with love, compassion and how to lose their fear and self-centeredness. Do you think they'll get it this time? I'm sending the best example I have!"

My vision that night shows me that God still tries to reach us. I believe God's messages come to each of us in very personal, individual ways. And always, at center, God hopes we'll respond "O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth!" ps 8:10

1 John

I have been reading first John, and I want to write here some of the verses from it that I think are worth paying attention to. I also believe you would get a lot out of studying first John, too. Maybe you could write comments on what it spoke to you, too.

CONDITIONS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN:

1st - (First John, chapter 1:verse 8) Break with sin. Repent. Forgive. Repent means to realize you are on the wrong bus, going the wrong direction. Stop the bus! Get off! Jump on the one going in Jesus' direction. Follow HIM.

2nd - (1 John 2:9-11) Keep the commandments, especially the law of love. Anyone who claims to follow Jesus, but hates his brother (that's anyone) is not in the light - but is still in the dark, not knowing where he is going because it is too dark to see.

3rd - (1 John 2:15-17) Detachment from the world. This world and all that is in it will end! Love God. Love one another. Anyone who does the will of God remains forever!

4th condition - (1 John 2:18) Be on guard against the enemies of Christ. These are the last days; you were told that an anti-christ must come, and now several anti-christs have already appeared. (2:20) You have been anointed - a people set apart - by the Holy One - and have all received the Knowledge. (2:22) You know that no lie can come from the truth. The one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (Jesus is Lord) - he is the liar, he is the anti-christ. (2:27) . . you are anointed with truth, not with a lie.

(2:28) Live in Christ, then, so that if He appears, we may have full confidence, and not turn from Him in shame at his coming. Rather, we can look for His coming with great excitement and anticipation, because we KNOW HE IS COMING FOR US!

Revelations 22:20 - "I shall indeed be with you soon."

Amen - come quickly, Lord Jesus!

When I can, I'll write some more about First John. What a book! Go ahead, find it in your bible and write about it here, too!

Vacuum Cleaner Salesman

I was watching TV the other day and happened upon a preacher who was talking about accepting the "Gift", the Holy Spirit, who is the one who can teach, help, fix us better than anything. But, we do have to open the gift box and look inside and take it out and use it!

Then he said: It's like a vacuum cleaner salesman who comes knocking on your door. He won't come in unless you invite him in. Then when you open the door and say yes, I'll see what you have to offer, he comes in. The salesman proceeds to dump all this garbage on the rug and vacuums it up. Good job. Puts his vacuum back in the bag and walks out the door???? No, no. He will usually say - do you want to buy it? You can say yes or no. Your choice. If you accept his product you can continue to clean your house with it. If you turn him down and say no, then your means for clean-up walks out the door, too.

This demonstrates that we have a "choice" to accept the Holy Spirit,and all he offers, to clean up the mess we are, or we can reject Him and keep trying on our own, never accomplishing the task. In Rev 3:20, Jesus says:"I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me, open the door and let me in"! The picture of this shows Jesus at the door knocking, but there is no door knob to open the door on the outside of the door. It has to be opened from the inside. We must OPEN the door ourselves, and invite Him to come in, for the Lord to come into our hearts. Once there, He offers us the "gift" of the Holy Spirit. Will we allow Him in? Will we accept His gift?

{I had heard this BEFORE Brian sent out His "What I Learned as a vacuum cleaner salesman" e-mail yesterday. That is a confirmation of a lesson for us to hear and act on! A song we sang at prayer meeting a lot again is in my head. Here are the words: "How great is our God, How great is His name. How great is our God - forever the same! He rolls back the waters of the mighty Red Sea, and He says I'll never leave you, put your trust in Me."}

Psalm 136

In my bible this psalm is titled "God's love continues forever". Be sure to read it in it's entirety in your bible. Thank God because he has more resources than we could ever use up!

We should never take any blessing for granted, but accept everything as a GIFT from the Lord. Now and then we could spend whole days in the practice of being thankful. I call this a HOLY practice. We should write on a piece of paper, or maybe in your journal, one by one the things for which we are grateful to God and to our fellow men as we think of them. And a constant return to this thought during the day as our minds get free will serve to fix the habit in our hearts . . .

In trying to count our many blessings, the difficulty is not to find things to count, but to find time to think of them all, and number them on paper. Personally, I have gotten great help from the practice of talking over with God the many kindnesses I have received from my family, my friends, my country - etc.

To my mom and Dad I owe my life and my upbringing. (His love continues forever).

To my teachers in school I owe that patient line-upon-line instruction that took me
when I was a young, ignorant pagan and taught me to read and write. (His love
continues
forever.)

To the patriots and statesmen of the past I owe the liberties I now enjoy. (His love
continues forever).

To numerous and unknown soldiers who shed their blood to keep our country free I owe a
debt I can never pay. (His love continues forever).

To my husband and my family I owe a debt of gratitude for my security and joy. (His
love endures forever).

And I please God and enlarge my own heart when I remind the Lord that I am grateful
for them. For every man and woman of every race and creed who may have contributed
anything to my peace and welfare I am grateful, and I shall not let God forget that I
am.

How has God blessed you? How have others contributed to your life? Take time to
thank God for ten blessings today.

Give thanks to the Lord because He is good. (His love endures forever). Ps 136:1

My Mother's Day witness

On Mother's Day, my daughter, Linda and 2 of her boys, my son, Chuck and his wife, Deedle, came over for dinner. After dinner I asked them and their dad, Phil, to sit in the living room and we were going to have a "tribute" to mothers. I started it with a spoken word on a CD I have, followed by a song "My Mother's Love", which is posted above. After listening to this, I felt it needed a little explanation, and out of me came a story I hadn't even intended to say. It just came. I hope I can repeat it her, and if it isn't exactly as I spoke it Sunday, that's just because I hadn't rehearsed it. I just know it, since I lived it!

When I was quite young - around 6 years old - I went to church for the Stations of the Cross one Friday during lent. Something happened there that I can't explain and couldn't know what it was at the time. While listening and praying the stations, and hearing Jesus' story of His love for ME, I found myself all enveloped in a feeling of hope and love. I knew right then that I loved HIM.

When I was young all my family were good Catholics. We never missed mass, or confession, or communion, or all the lent celebrations. We prayed the memorized prayers and the rosary. We had a bible, but never read it. I didn't know of the Holy Spirit, and didn't know Jesus as my personal friend and my savior. But, I felt very close to Mary. She was my Mother! When things were tough for me, I would go off by myself, and I would sit with Mary, my Mother, and tell her my troubles, and cry on her lap. I felt her comforting me, and her arms hugging me, and her love. This got me through many tough times while I was growing up. I did not realize that she was taking me on a path to the Father, God, her Son, Jesus, and the Helper, the Holy Spirit.

When I was 38, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, just immersed in the Spirit of God, and I met my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Jesus walks every inch of my paths with me. The Holy Spirit teaches and comforts me. And I know God as my creator. This was so real and so personal and so emotional. I felt the presence of God so powerfully.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and Mary guided my life and protected me, and I didn't even realize it. I love my Mom, and am missing her lots. The last 3 months of her life were my best times with her. I regret not spending more time with her.

I LOVE being a mom, and Grandma. That's my occupation, that's what I do. I made huge mistakes in my career as Mom, but I thank God He gave me the children He blessed me with. And their spouses. And my grandkids.

Prayer AND action

Colossians 1:9-14

I feel like God spoke this scripture to me as I was praying for Joshua. I believe it is a powerful answer to my prayer. And I also believe it is meant for others who read my blog and whom I have been praying for.

Basically, these verses in Collosians are saying that we have been praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what HE wants. We pray also that you will have great wisdom and understanding (A gift from the Holy Spirit - discernment). of spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.
The chapter seems to also remind us that Christ's power comes not from what we know, but who we know - - Jesus Christ!

And then the following words came to me (the gift of prophecy) and I wrote them down:

Watch out for the blessings. You bless what you enjoy.
Be careful of the curses. You condemn what displeases you.

It is not for you to discern your OWN way. You must ask for MY gift of discernment.

I will be with you always. Trust MY way - not yours, or others ways.

I do not always deal joy! Don't be afraid for Joshua (or whomever) - - I am not only wise, but kind, and merciful.

Todays grief may become the channel for tomorrow's blessing!

Prayer for Unity

Forgiveness

Can you find this link?: http://www.guidetopsychology.com/forgive.htm

I hope you can just go to it. I don't know what I'm doing or how to do it. So, if you can't get there you can go to "Plan B" and find it the way I did. Google in forgiveness, and when the page comes up, then click on "forgiveness, psychology, and mental health" - about half way down the page. A great article and I do believe it would be very helpful for all of us to read. I know it seemed helpful for ME. Let me know what you think.

I am also snail-mailing you another article on forgiveness that I thought was excellent. I hope you have enough time to read this and what i sent.

Forgiveness

Go to http://www.guidetopsychology.com/forgive.htm and read this wonderful article about forgiveness.

(I hope you can get it, as I have no idea what I am doing!)

Mom

How our thoughts control our lives

During the course of a single day, thousands of thoughts flow through our minds. Some of them give us life as they build us up, while others tear us down and steal our hope.

You were not created to be ruled by negative thoughts. God's desire for you is to take control of your thoughts and live life to the fullest, experiencing His goodness, favor and blessings no matter what you're facing.
You can't always control which thoughts come…but you can decide which ones you allow to stay around.
The Bible says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). It's so important to understand that our actions are determined by the way we think.

So many times, we replay the same negative thoughts over and over. When negativity and doubt set in and stay in your mind, it is nearly impossible to set a course toward God's best plans for your life.

In Psalm 77, the psalmist cries out to God as he wrestles with his thoughts. He says he's in deep trouble, he's overwhelmed with longing for God's help, he can't sleep and he feels rejected.

We all struggle at one point or another with thoughts that take us down the wrong path. But God wants us to start thinking on positive things – things that give hope and life. When we do this, we'll begin to experience greater victory and see ourselves rising to new levels.

Remember, when you take control of your thoughts, you ultimately take control of your life. This is just the beginning of what God wants to do in you and through you. He's got a great plan for your life to make a mark in this world

God's message to me

God said, "I AM"
NOT "I was" or " I will be"
HE is here RIGHT NOW wanting to do something great in your life, RIGHT NOW!

Your thoughts have to catch up with the way God thinks.

You know what God does with the past?
He forgets it.

You know what God does with our sins?
Forgets them, and forgives them.

God forgives us the First TIME we ask him to.

Now you need to forgive yourself.
If you don't forgive yourself, you are not RECEIVING the
FORGIVENESS that God has for you.

god wants you to move on.

It is time to move on.
It is time to move past the offenses, abandonments, hurt, abuse, betrayal. The unfair things that have happened to you. IT is time to move past that and start saying
AGGRESSIVELY

SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME!!

Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday

I don't think Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday fall within the same week too often - at least I don't remember it. Valentine's Day is about hearts, flowers and love. But just 3 days later (Sunday to Wednesday) comes all those ashes. Such a difference a few days brings. On Valentine's day we show people how much we love them, give gifts, hugs, cards - go out to dinner and movies - celebrate our love for each other! Then here we are at Ash Wednesday in the morning. We will be starting into the 40 days of lent, a time of repentance and remembering the sacrifices of our Lord, Jesus on our behalf. We go into a few days of fasting (giving up something) and meditations and our own "way of the cross".

For many years of my life I lived in the world of tensions between belief and doubt, not understanding why or what I was doing this for. Is there really a God, and a Jesus who cares about me, and a Holy Spirit who guides my life? Is there a trinity, is the Bible really God's word and His love letter to me? Then my glorious, merciful God shoved me over the line to a place of no doubt. And now I live in the tensions between my passionate love of life and desire to cling to it as long as possible, and awareness that life may be taken from me before I'd wish.

Acceptance of that tension creates the most magnificent beauty and spiritual awareness. It makes me wonder why we all don't let go of anger and resentments and fall to the ground in wonder of God's great gifts. I don't believe God cares a bit about religious and political differences. According to Jesus' greatest commandments, life ultimately is about loving God and each other. Matthew 22:38-40.

Now-a-days I look at it this way - Pondering over my many decades of life (7+ of them), I think of how fast time goes by. How things that happened seem like just yesterday. Life is a heartbeat, a nano-second of earthly being. Why would I waste any of it with negative thoughts and actions? (I've certainly done too much of that in my lifetime!)

The heart of Lent and St. Valentine's Day is that Jesus went willingly to the cross to bring life everlasting to us believers. That includes making life beautiful and joyful here and now by learning not to fear death. By willingly and with love in our hearts, picking up the crosses life throws our way, we learn to live in God's presence and how to spread God's love to others.

Dad and I plan to attend our Ash Wednesday service. As the ashes are put on my forehead in the form of a cross, to remind me of what lent is all about - "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." As lent begins, the 40 days of repentance and spiritual growth before Easter, I want to live those words in the tension between my love of life and my slightly shaky physical being.

I want to celebrate my continuing conversion to the Lord's ways. He has sent us many valentines. He says "I love you, Lonnie" in so many ways every day. His word - the Bible - is His Love Letter to me. This is for you, too!

I keep hearing these verses in new ways, always full of grace and love:

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Praying for Your Adult Children - Stormie Omartian

I am having a bit of a hard time figuring out how to get this on here. I am not sure if it's okay to post the pages from the book here. Am I allowed to do that, I wonder? If anyone knows, please tell me. In the meantime, I'd like to encourage everyone to purchase this book, if you are able to. If you would like a copy I have a couple of extras I would be willing to give you. Just let me know. Karen - I am sending you a copy already. The whole thing is so appropriate and timely. A good guide and a good, easy book to read. I've read it through once, and am now in the process of going through it and praying however the Holy Spirit is leading me to pray it. I was excited when I read what Karen had written about the Lord speaking to her. It was the same as what I had been praying out of this book - and the name I filled in in the blank was Karen's. I considered that a confirmation that God hears us and is answering the prayers! Praise God!

If you should happen to get this book, look at page 128, the prayer at the end of Chapter 7 - "Have a Sound Mind and a Right Attitude".

At the end of the prayer it reads: "Lord, draw my adult children to Your Word so that it will be a "discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" every time they read it (see Hebrews 4:12). Reveal to them any wrong thinking or beliefs. Make Your thoughts to be their thoughts. Help them to have the "mind of Christ" at all times (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Where my adult children are struggling in their minds or emotions, I pray that You would extend peace to them like a river (Isaiah 66:12). To my adult children I pray that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . . and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).

In Jesus' name I pray.

Really good workout!! Just try ONE

Spiritual Music I LOVE...mom gave me this record in 1976

Happy Birthday, Kay

To my big seester, Kay...I hope your day is very special. You deserve it. You always do special things for everyone and it is your turn. Happy, Happy Birthday, Kay.
Love ya lots,
Your little seester
Karen

From Sharon

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Don't worry about anything.
Worrying doesn't change anything. It's stewing without doing. There's no such thing as born worriers; worry is a learned response. You learned it from your parents. You learned it from your peers. You learned it from experience. That's good news. The fact that worry is learned means it can also be unlearned. Jesus says, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34, NLT)

Pray about everything.
Next use the time you've been worrying for praying. If you prayed as much as you worried, you'd have a whole lot less to worry about. Some people think God only cares about religious things, such as how many people I invite to church or my tithing. Is God interested in car payments? Yes. He's interested in every detail of your life. That means you can take any problem you face to God.

Thank God in all things.
Whenever you pray, you should always pray with thanksgiving. The healthiest human emotion is not love -- but gratitude. It actually increases your immunities; it makes you more resistant to stress and less susceptible to illness. People who are grateful are happy. But people who are ungrateful are miserable because nothing makes them happy. They're never satisfied; it's never good enough. So if you cultivate the attitude of gratitude, of being thankful in everything, it reduces stress in your life.

Think about the right things.
If you want to reduce the level of stress in your life, you must change the way you think; the way you think determines how you feel. And the way you feel determines how you act. So if you want to change your life, you need to change what you're thinking about.

This involves a deliberate conscious choice where you change the channels. You choose to think about the right things: focus on the positive and on God's word.

Why? Because the root cause of stress is the way I choose to think.

When we no longer worry, when we pray about everything, when we give thanks, when we focus on the right things, the Apostle Paul tells us the result is, "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

What a guarantee! He is guaranteeing peace of mind.

God has a sense of humor, for sure!

I have been praying for everyone for the trials we are all facing at this time. As I was praying especially hard for Linda and her court date set for Monday, I came across Psalm 78. Verses 65 and 67 stood out to me, and I'm sure they are meant for her (and anyone else who feels they are meant for them): (quoted from the Jeruselum Bible)

"Then, like a sleeper, like a hero, the Lord woke up to strike his enemies on the rump and put them to everlasting shame."

************************************************************************************

The book of Joshua is filled with good stuff. But chapter 1, verses 6-9, are good for all of us to take to heart. In my Jeruselum bible the heading to these verses is - Faithfulness to the Law (I interpret that to mean the Bible) is a condition of God's aid

"Be strong and stand firm, for you are the one to give this people possession of the land that I swore to their fathers I should give to them. (I feel these words in this prayer of mine are saying to us that we CAN win over our troubles). Only be strong and stand firm and be careful to keep all the Law (read your bibles, and know it is the word of God you read, and keep His words close). Never swerve from this to right or left, and then you will be happy in all you do. Have this book always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may carefully keep everything that is written in it (in your heart, and on your lips, and in your mind). Then you will prosper in your dealings, then you will have success. HAVE I NOT TOLD YOU: BE STRONG AND STAND FIRM? BE FEARLESS THEN, BE CONFIDENT, FOR GO WHERE YOU WILL, YAHWEH YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU."

Luke 2:1-52

In this chapter of Luke, Luke gives an account of the birth of Jesus and his early life. In his time and culture, boys were considered responsible adults around the age of 12. It was not, therefore, irresponsible of Joseph and Mary to accidentally leave Jesus behind. As you all know, I have done that with you kids a time or two, haven't I? It's too embarrassing to go into the story of that any more than that. It wasn't that I was irresponsible so much, either. And, for sure, I loved each of you with a mother's heart and would never have left you on purpose. I bet Mary and Joseph each thought he was with someone else.

God's only son became a person and lived with us for awhile. During his life he was sad, happy, excited, and disappointed. God knows what life on earth is like.

The name "Immanuel" means "God with us". The name "Immanuel" is both comforting and unsettling. Comforting, because He has come to share the danger as well as the drudgery of our everyday lives. He desires to weep with us and to wipe away our tears. And Jesus, the Son of God, longs to share in and to be the source of the laughter and the joy we all too rarely know.

Unsettling because it is one thing to know God as this judge with the long white beard and hair and the book of life - sitting up there in the skies looking down on us from above. But quite another to think and know "He is with us"! He is here with us . . .

And when we think of the times we KNOW He is with us in the midst of our daily, routine lives, in the middle of cleaning the house, or driving somewhere, and He stops us . . . in our tracks and makes his presence known, boy is that ever incredible. Often it is in the middle of the most mundane task that He lets us know He is there with us. I can think of one time in particular when I knew and felt "God with me" "Immanuel". I had brought home this ugly Christmas tree, and had just gotten it put up with a big nail in the wall and tied up there with fish line. I stepped back to look at it and commented to myself how beautiful it looked. At that moment I felt the presence of God. It seemed like a glowing light all around the room. Next I knew I was on my knees, praising Him! I couldn't have been doing a more mundane task than that! We realize when stuff like this happens, that there can be no "ordinary" moments for people who live their lives with Jesus.

Jesus paid a huge price to be with us. Certainly the cross was the most obvious cost. But there is more -

We focus so much on the fact that Jesus died for us, we sometimes forget that He also LIVED for us and lives for us still. If Jesus had simply come as Himself, and not as one of us, the Bible makes it quite clear that we could not have stood the sight of His presence, any more than Moses could have directly looked at the face of God.

Imagine what it would be like to be at the Father's side one moment and struggling to sleep in a cattle trough the next. Imagine what it would be like to hear the angel's praising God one day, and then to the awful taunts of stupid men. We can hardly begin to understand the incredible value of the gift God the Father gave through His only son!

Take a moment and reflect on what "Immanuel - - God with us" means to you in your daily life. Make it a point to seek God even in the mundane tasks of everyday life.

Please share here what and when you have felt this in your life!

Christmas brings the gift of hope

Why would God decide to be born as a tiny infant?

I am pondering this, as I sit here looking out my window at the beautiful white world around us. Cold, and lots of ice, but it's beautiful. And how sparkly the snow is that has not been walked on yet with the sun shine on it. The sparrows - lots of them - skitter in and out of the bushes to scratch and peck for something to eat.

Here is a world, Lord, that is full of innocence, hope - and violence. Sometimes it's hard to hold on to hope or see value in innocence when I find so much war, greed and selfishness when I read the newspaper or watch the news of the world we live in.....
and in my own heart, too.

Why, I wonder, into this world would God send this Holy Child, an infant, a tiny, defenseless newborn baby - a picture of both innocence and hope?

I have some memories of World War II. I remember the planes flying over, way high in the sky, and thinking (or hearing) they had bombs in those planes - I sure do hope they don't drop them here. I remember giving up all our luxuries - candy, sugar, extra food, rubber, new cars, new shoes - lots and lots of sacrifices - so our soldiers and military could have what they needed to win a war. I was scared. I feared that Daddy would be drafted and would have to go to war, like Uncle Pat and Uncle Buddy did. That worried me so much. But Daddy always assured me he wouldn't have to go. "They don't need old guys like me (he wasn't old, either) over there, and I am more needed here at home to be available at the barber shop for people to gather and talk about all their fears and losses". His younger brother, Pat, was killed in the final days of the war. I'll never, ever forget that fear and sorrow and sacrifice and doing without.

War is so terrible. Everybody suffers. And, you know what? These awful wars and fights have been going on since before Cain slew Abel. Into this God sent a helpless newborn to lead and inspire. And yes, to save us, though sometimes I think the saving part is as much about saving us from ourselves as anything else.

At that time I'm amazed God didn't look at our world in disgust, revoke his rainbow and send another great flood. But of course He already knew the flood hadn't really improved human behavior.

So God, with grace and goodness far beyond anything I can understand, sent the Baby Jesus. Our Christ Child, Emanuel, God in human form.

God's great generosity and faithfulness boggles my mind. How can I understand?

This year, as always, the Holy Child's message is love. Pure, unbounded love. Only love. And trust. God trusted us to lay eyes on this Child, kneel in awe and receive Him.

Let us gather again at the manger. Rejoice, God loves us beyond my ability to comprehend. God has not given up on us, and we cannot give up on each other. I also remember well the day the war was ended. Such rejoicing and celebrating. We all ran downtown to be a part of it all. America had the victory! We do know that God loved us so much, that He sent His only son, that whoever believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life! This is the "Reason for the Season"! Pray for each other. Pray for our military. Pray for America.

Hope is born anew. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Psalm 32

Psalm 32 is worth the advent read and meditation.

It records the relief and joy David found in God's forgiveness. The last verse of it calls all of the people to praise and thank God, as does Psalm 33.

God forgives the sins of those who repent. Confession brings relief.

To say "I believe in Jesus" is not enough. You must be willing to acknowledge Him as the most important person in your life. You must be willing to say "I will do what He wants me to do above all else and above any demands that others may place upon me." You must say, and really believe it "Jesus is Lord"! If you will make that decision, I have great news for you -- I can promise you a very positive self-image. When Jesus is the most important person in your life, you will soon come to define yourself in the same way that Jesus defines you. You will begin to think of yourself as He thinks of you. And here's more good news: Jesus thinks you're great! He thinks you're terrific. He really does. He wants us to realize that once we accept Him as our Savior and Lord, we stand before Him as perfect! The bible says that my sin is blotted out. It is buried in the deepest sea - it is remembered no more.

What sin haunts your mind? Have you repented? If so . . . God forgives you. Now forgive yourself.

Christmas is a time of joyful Advent

Today is the beginning of the season of advent. It is a time of waiting - as Mary, the mother of God waited for the birth of her child. All of us remember the waiting for our children to be born.

Christmas is coming! Over the years I've experienced an incredible range of feelings about Christmas. As a child, I absolutely loved the presents, the Christ child nearby and angels singing. I love midnight mass with all the happy people, the beautiful music, the decorations, the food . . . and the presents!

As a mother, I wanted my children to have everything. I went overboard, as Phil occasionally pointed out.

Then, as they grew older, and eventually left home, each year it got to be really hard to have a "celebration" with some missing. Each year it felt more and more like chores, instead of fun!

Then I accepted Jesus as my Lord, invited Him into my heart, and He was real! The light returned and everything changed. Advent became my time of soul-searching, anticipation, actively waiting in prayer, meditation and study, learning more and more about the depths of His love for me and all of us!

Oh, it's my best season.

Christmas isn't about the presents and the hoop-la and all the glitter that seems to take over. It is the coming of hope and light into the world. Advent is our time to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Messiah. Let's await Him with joy and peace.

Some wonderful scriptures from the book of Tobit.

I am reading the book of Tobit during my prayer time these days. Be sure to read it someday if you can find a Greek translation of the bible, as it is not in the Hebrew translations. (Greek translations = The New American Catholic, or the Jeruselum versions, I think. Hebrew translations = King James versions, I think.) It is worth looking for and reading. Quite an interesting story. Tobit, the story of a dutiful son who is given miraculous help by an angel, is part of the Apocrypha - the 5 books (or parts of books) that are included in some bibles and not in others. (Tobit, Judith, Macabees 1st and 2nd books, and Ecclesiasticus.)

Here are a couple of verses from Tobit I wanted to share with all of you . . . .

4:7 - "Never turn your face from any poor man and God will never turn His from you."
I thought about this for quite some time, and realized that I have turned my
face from the poor!

And how Mickey that day we were having our dinner and party
at the park, took lots of that food and water and gave it to those poor,
homeless people who showed up. I don't think I could ever have done that! God
does not turn His face from you, Mickey.

4:23 - "Do not be afraid if you have grown poor. You have great wealth if you know
God (Jesus?) and if you shun every kind of sin and if you do what is pleasing
to the Lord your God." In other words, our greatest treasure and riches are
the ones we have in eternity with our God. Does anyone remember that
scripture, and where it is - one of the gospels. In these times we are facing
a future of uncertainty - here in this world - but, if we build up our
treasures in heaven, then we have everything! We are rich in our blessings!

And this next scripture is what I received for Josh as he is going off to training
for Afghanistan in a couple of weeks:

5:21 - "My child, prepare what you need for the journey, and set off with your
brothers. (your unit) May God in heaven protect you abroad and bring you all
back safe and sound! May His angel go with you and protect you, my child.
5:22 - The
son left the house to set out and kissed his father and mother. The father
said "Happy journey! His mother burst into tears and said 'Why must I send
my child away? The way of life God had already given us was good enough!'
'Do not think such thoughts. Going away and coming back, all will be well
with your child. On the day of his homecoming you will see for yourself how all is still well with him. Do not think such thoughts; do not worry on his account.
A good angel will go with him; he will have a good journey and come back well and happy." 6:1 "And she dried her tears."

I bought Joshua a small bible with a "marines" cover on it. It has a couple of pages in the front to write a message for him. I am going to write 5:21 there, along with other words of encouragement for him.

Sharon

Pray for Sharon tonight and tomorrow. She has another treatment in the morning. (Tues)

Father God, we know Your Word has become a part of her. It is flowing in her bloodstream. It flows to every cell of her body, restoring and transforming her body. For You sent Your Word and healed her. (see Psalm 107:20)

Your Word is manifest in her body, and will cause growths to disappear. These tumors and this cancer are a thing of the past. We make this demand on her cells and blood and bones: that they function properly, in Jesus' Name. (see Matthew 17:20 and Mark 11:23).

Heavenly Father, as we give voice to Your Word, the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus makes her free from the Spirit of Death. And Your Life is energizing every cell of her body.

Cancer, you must GO! Sicknesses from the treatments MUST FLEE! Tumors cannot exist in her, for the Spirit of God is upon her and the Word of God is within her. Sickness, fear and oppression have NO power over her for God's Word is what we claim for her, and it is what she believes! (again, Mark 11:23).

We praise you and we thank you, in Jesus' name (God's Word) for what you are doing in her body as we ask. Amen

Follow Jesus' Example

"We have around us many people (cloud of witnesses, some have passed on, and some are still with us - a cloud of saints!) whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began, inspires, our faith and who makes it perfect. For the sake of the joy which lay before Him he endured the cross, heedless of its shame. And now is sitting at the right side of God's throne! (the highest honor). Remember how He endured the opposition of sinners; hence do not grow despondent or abandon the struggle." (Never give up!) Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1-3

Jesus hears all the voices of all the people who follow Him. And He sees you! From the very first man (Adam) to the infant born as you are reading these words. He sees and He hears them all! (Read Hebrews chapter 11)

And you can be sure of this: Among the voices that found their way to Him who is seated at the right hand of the Father, was your voice . . .

And not only did He hear you, He saw you. He saw your face beaming the hour you first knew Him. He saw your face in shame the hour you first fell. The same face that looked back at you from this morning's mirror, looked at Him. And it was enough to kill Him! He died a torturous death on the cross because of YOU! He could not bear the sight of sinfulness and evil in the world, He could not bear the thought of your hopelessness - so He took it all to the cross, where it all died with Him! And he does this every day! He saved YOU, and all of us, and all who are willing Follow Jesus' Example! It wasn't easy for Him, and for sure, it's not easy for us. But the Joy that follows is worth it all!

Look for joy in difficult times. As Sharon tells us often - laugh every day! How can others benefit from your struggle? Look beyond the pain and struggles and find God's purpose for your life. Ask Him to reveal it to you. Then pay attention - because He will show you.

Hebrews 13:15 - "So through Jesus let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise, coming from lips that speak His name. Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God." And verses 20-21 - "I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so you can do what He wants. I pray that God will do in us what pleases Him, through Jesus Christ, and to Him be glory forever and ever. Amen"

Be sure to read Psalm 126 - it's a short one.

Let's share with each other here - ways we've found joy in our difficult times. What brought us to tears and what did we find of joy in those tears?

Have you realized the purpose of your struggles and pain? What is it? I know my purpose is not any grandiose thing like I thought it was supposed to be when I first accepted Jesus into my life. One day I heard loud and clear the saying I'd heard so many times: BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!!! God wanted me to teach my own family and those I come in contact with so often. This reading from Hebrews was very eye-opening to me as I grew in the Lord. There are so many "saints" around me, both in the heavens now, and living around me, who were great examples of Jesus and how He intends for us to live. And then He showed me all the people around me who really didn't know Jesus and He wanted me to introduce them to Him. That is my purpose. My "Mission Field". Another purpose I think for my life is intercessory prayer. So important. There are so many people and circumstances to pray for, and it seems like God puts them right in my world, and brings them to mind when I need to pray. At times I don't really even know the people I am praying for, but God puts them in my mind, so I pray! I don't understand that part so much, but I do it. And, of course, we all need to pray for America. She needs God's help and protection more now than ever before. Another time I'll share some of how these unknown people and unknown circumstances prayers are answered. Can you share, too?

God bless you all.

Heloooo!

Hello out there in blogasphere - anybody there? I am wondering if anyone is reading this sight. If so, could you please put comments on the blog post? I hope you're out there. I'll publish some more thoughts if I think anyone is following.....and maybe I will even if no one is! Just a short comment will do. I just want to know someone is interested. Even if you disagree with what I write, I would like to hear those comments, too!

God's standards

I used to wonder how to remember all the commandments of God. When I was a kid I memorized the Ten Commandments in catechism. But there are so many other commandments in the Bible - - hundreds of them. Then I discovered a wonderful fact - that the first and greatest commandment is to love God . . .

So it isn't as complicated as I had thought! Love God completely, and love your neighbor as yourself. Do to your neighbor as you, in your best moments, want him or her to do to you. If we obey only these two basic laws, we will be obeying all the others, too.

It is wonderful of God to tell us what He allows and what He prohibits, what He likes and dislikes, for we might otherwise be unsure of ourselves and unsure whether or not we are loving God by obeying Him. We all need rules to guide and protect us. If you are a parent, God has set the example, and He has set that same example for all people:
LOVE!!!! God has set clear, fair guidelines and He expects us to stay within those guidelines. Just like a parent, He will be firm in implementing them.

Read Mark, Chapter 12, verses 30 and 31. And the book of Proverbs has lots of wise commands from the Lord. Here are two: Prov. Chapter 28, verse 23 - "Those who correct others will later be liked more than those who give false praise", and Chapter 29, verse 25 - "Being afraid of people can get you into trouble, but if you trust the Lord, you will be safe."

Moving into the larger life

So, where are you in trusting God? Is there some area of life that you need for Him to make larger or better? Can you trust Him to do that? Here a few tips for living it out: (Pages 42-45)

1) Know Who it is You are Trusting

Read the Bible and learn about God's character. The more you know about Him the easier it will be to trust Him. You might want to read the Psalms. You'll also want to get to know Jesus, for Jesus said that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. See John 14: 9. In fact read all of John. Look at the pages of John, and the other gospels, too, and see Jesus's love, His care, His compassion, and His power. That is who you are trusting. Watch Him as He deals with His sheep, and remember that you ARE one.

2) Decide What Needs to Change, and Define the Steps

Look at the areas of life that you want to be different, and ask yourself how much FAITH you are exercising in those areas. What first step do you need to take? Know that God will always be there to catch you if you fall, and He will always have your best interests in mind.

3) Ask yourself if there was anything from your past that has harmed your ability to trust. Was it people? The church? Did you have a traumatic experience? Find out where you got your "trust map" and begin to rewrite the path of your future. If necessary, get some counseling to help.

4) Share in the Faith Testimonies of Others

The Bible says that what others have done and what God has done in their lives helps our own faith. You will be amazed as you learn what God has done in the world, in our communities, in our circles of friends and family. Trust is a muscle that can grow as you learn to be certain that He can bring about what you cannot see. Of course you can't see it yet! It will only come into being as you take that step, the step of trust. Find a bible study, a prayer group, a community that will share their experiences with you, and you can share yours, too.


Now, I've shared what the key is that opens the door to blessing. Trust is the key.
The rest of this wonderful book is spent looking at some of the secrets God has given us so that it might go well with us in the areas of life that matter to us most: Our emotional well-being, our relationships, and our purpose. We will find that the Creator Himself has told us how to make the life He created work best. And then the final chapter brings you back to some UNRELIGIOUS secret things of God that will ground you and prepare you to live out all the secrets you've discovered in this book.

So see if you can find your book "The Secret Things of God" by Dr. Henry Cloud, and your bible, read them, and Let's go unlock some treasures!

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This will be all I'll write on this "book report". I do encourage you to find this wonderful book and your bible and read "the rest of the story". And go on a treasure hunt - you won't be sorry. You'll be "rich".

James 2:17 and Deuteronomy 4:29

Trust God Even When You Don't Understand

There are so many times when we pray and pray and seek God and what we ask for is not the way it turns out. What then?

There are 3 examples I think of for now: Josi whose life was spared through a miraculous discovery by a dog as she lay in the muddy field face down, unable to move after a terrible car accident that should have taken her life. She was spared. Now 3 years later, she is still fighting to be able to walk, talk, eat - I guess you could say she was spared, but for what purpose? We pray and pray, and nothing changes much. She was only 17 at the time. Our nephew, Mike, suffered with cancer, and died - in the prime of his life - 48 years old! He was a wonderful man, left his young son and wife. So heartbreaking. He is the uncle of Josi. We are very close to that family, and this is so hard for us. My sister, Pat, suffered with bladder cancer and fought the good fight, almost conquering the beast, and then succumbed to it on July 4th last year. We were devastated!

I know Josi has a purpose for her life. Her Dad, Joe, told me that he knows what the purpose is - because of this awful accident and her "miraculous" rescue, it brought his family to the Lord. They came together to pray every day, and God is present in their prayer - they FEEL him there!

It was so hard to understand why God would take Mike at such an important time in his life. And Patsy, too. But when we went to their funerals, pretty heartbroken over their deaths, it was not a gloomy funeral - either of them - it was more like a celebration.

That's because both Patsy and Mike were believers in God and heaven, and people got up and shared mostly about where Patsy and Mike are now, and how they all knew they would see them again. Everyone was sad, and tears flowed, and stuff, we miss them . . . but we were okay with it in another way. I think it's because we truly, really believe we will be with them again. I know that is true.

Because Jesus said he would take anyone who believed in Him with Him to heaven. I know that Jesus lives today, because I have seen him do so much over the years. I can honestly say that I know Him. So, when someone dies, we can know that we will see them again in a very real place just like now. And that is why the Bible says that as believers, we do not 'grieve like people who have no hope.' Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 17. We are sad, but we are certain that it is not over.

Do I ever have doubts? Yes! I used to have lots of doubts, but I am realizing more and more that God the Father, Jesus His son, and the Holy Spirit is REAL! There is a lot I don't understand, especially when bad things happen, like Josi's accident, and Mike and Patsy's death. But I know He is real, and I trust Him with the things I do not understand and take comfort in the fact that He gets it even when I don't.

It's kind of like when my kids and grandkids were little, and things would happen that I understood, but they didn't get it. When they would ask, I'd explain, but they still didn't understand. When they were pre-school and young children they were not yet capable of understanding the things that adults can fully comprehend. So they would say "oh" and ask "when's supper"? Somehow you were all okay with the fact that you didn't get it, but I did. And I guess that's how I am. I don't have a problem with the fact that there are things I do not understand about God or why He allows some things to happen. If I can understand things my kids can't, I can certainly see how an infinite God can understand things that I can't.

When we connect ourselves to the SOURCE of all that's good, we open our lives up to unimaginable blessings. Reflect awhile on this truth and the power of this secret of God. Then maybe you will want to share what this all means to you!

(from pages 40 - 42)

Trust God's character - not any particular outcome

What about the times when things don't work out so well? Does this mean that God has let you down?

The Bible is very clear on this: we do not trust God based on particular outcomes we can SEE, Our trust is based on His love for us and His character. The character of God and our journey with Him is what matters. He is pleased by our faith, our trust. It's easy to believe God on the mountaintop; but when we're in the valley and it's dark and we feel all alone, that's when our faith is tested.

As you all know, I Love to go to the mountains and enjoy the smells, the sounds, the sights - but every year when I have to come down from the mountains, I go through a time of darkness, feeling like I wish I could stay there in the mountains forever. Then, I have to pull myself together and get back to my regular life again! That's where I am and what I'm going through right now. It seems to happen every year. So I guess I can relate to what the author is saying about the mountaintop and the valley. The mountain top is when everything is going well, and we can know God loves us, and we experience Him and how He is working in our lives. The valley is when things go wrong. It seems as if God forgot us, like He isn't listening or noticing our needs. When we lose a loved one, a job, our health, or a relationship, these are the times when trusting God is difficult. But - they are also the times when we need him the most. They are the times when we need to know that no matter how bad it is, God is there with us, that He loves us and is going to take us through whatever we face.

If we keep holding on to God during the dark times, we will find that He never ever leaves our side as we walk through the pain and that when we come out on the other side, He is still there beside us and that our faith has been strengthened in the process.

Sometimes He does not deliver us from our difficulty at all, but simply gives us His presence and the presence of others.

Read the book of Job in your bible. Now there is a man who went through everything that could destroy his faith in a God who cares, but He kept holding on to God no matter what. He knew He was the only and true God, that He is a good God, and that He loves us. The same for us - when we have that kind of faith, even when we don't understand it all, we know enough to trust God based on His love for us and His character. He WILL bring us through our difficulties. He DOES care and He loves us!

(from pages 38 and 39)

Dare to be Vulnerable

When I was a 4-H leader, I was privileged to be able to go to a camp in Idaho called "Chatcolab". I learned so much there about myself and that I could, indeed, be lovable and had a lot to offer my circle of people! I started going there before I was baptized in the Spirit. We learned a lot about trusting others and ourselves. One of the "games" we played was to trust someone in back of me to catch me. I stood in front of someone and just leaned back while the other person caught me before I hit the floor. That took total trust! I had a very hard time with it, because I was so afraid that I would fall to the floor and hurt myself or the one behind me. Try it sometime. It takes total trust.

Page 35 of this book:

"If we do not trust, we are limited to our own resources, and we weren't created to do it all on our own." I think of the birth of each of my 7 babies. I was totally in the hands of my Dr. during the births. I could not have done that all on my own. I had to trust the Dr and the nurses that they knew what they were doing to help each of them make their appearance into the world. And then the babies had no choice but to trust me and Dad and all the caretakers in their lives. Because they were cared for and nurtured and trusted those in charge, each of them learned what they needed to learn to stay alive and grow - how to eat, how to walk, how to talk - everything. Because the babies were vulnerable to the ones who provide what is needed, they thrived! The babies could not get those things on their own. They had to trust Dad and I to teach them, to nurture them, to love them enough to do what is good and right for them. They had to trust us to provide for them the food, shelter, clothing, etc., that they needed. Now, as adults, the grown up babies - and us - are the same.
We need to trust, we need to be vulnerable, we need to have faith in the heavenly Father who will always care for us. We just need to trust HIM.

Page 36: "So, what do YOU need to trust God for? Well, pretty much everything, but most of all, the things that you are not able to provide for yourself." On page 37 there is a list that may be helpful to help you see what you can trust him in and for. "Did you go through them with God, or did you try to go it alone? Next time, let Him help you with your needs." (you may want to read the list, or make a list about your own struggles and what you've tried to handle in your life - by yourself). "It's not trust if we have no need. Take a step. Jump in. Dare to believe. God will not let you down!" Maybe you could share ways you've trusted God in situations you could not handle without Him, and how you found He was there. Sometimes we don't see it until we look back and remember situations or times, and then we can say oh, yeah, that was God working in my life!

Some more tomorrow! In the meantime, make your list of what is in your life NOW that you need to trust God for - what is there that you cannot seem to accomplish on your own?

Trust is the key

On page 28 of this book:

Opening yourself up to the gifts of God means trusting that He loves you and will provide for you. It means daring to be vulnerable with both God and the right people. It often means trusting beyond what you can see. It means believing in the character of God even more than you believe in your desired outcome.

God's blessings await you. You hold the key that unlocks them: trust. Trust is the key that opens the door to blessings.

Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; depend not on your own understanding. Seek HIS will in all you do, and He will show you the path to take."

This secret of trust is the key that opens the door to all the other secrets. Through trust, or FAITH, we connect with God in a way that shows our reliance on Him and our surrender to Him. This is what He desires most from us.

When I first experienced my personal relationship with God, with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I had no idea what it meant to trust God, but I soon learned - I had to trust HIM, because there was nowhere else to go. Our home and almost all our belongings were consumed in a house fire. We had our 7 children, and thank God, we were not home when this happened. This was a big clue - that God was at work, and that I could trust Him to continue to take care of us. And He did!

In the book, on page 30, the author talks about an incredible picture of the sunset over an ocean. I have a picture like that in my "prayer room" bedroom. I am also reminded of looking up at the night skies in the mountains and seeing the millions of stars, the babbling and beauty of the creek, the birds with their wonderful melodies, all the beauty of His creation everywhere. Ralph Waldo Emerson had a quote under the author's picture: "All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." I also think of how we are all created with the same parts to our bodies - intricate and perfect! Sharon reminded us of that in a previous post. Look around you. Someone had to have created it all! Someone a lot bigger and smarter than I.

We had to have a creator! He made us! He cares about us! He cares for us! There is the verse, and I'm not sure where it is, but I'll find it and post it here, that if God takes care of the birds of the air, then He can take care of me. This just blows me away - and to think I would have missed it if I hadn't "investigated" - and trusted - and found the key.

So, how do we unlock the secret of trust? The first answer is that we take that very first step of faith. Like the Nike commercial says, we just do it!

We don't always know what's in front of us or what will happen next; (sometimes we'd probably panic if we did know!) but if we know the One who knows, we can trust Him to take care of things because we know He loves us.

This will be all I'll write for today. As you think of these things, and "Trust" and faith, look around you, and count the many blessings God has given you. Thank Him from the bottom of your heart - and keep on trusting Him. He's there, longing to listen and wanting to bless you.

Maybe you could share some times when you had to have that faith in someone bigger and smarter than you - a CREATOR - a time when you trusted God and He directed your path.

I would like to share a bit about an answered prayer. Paul just called. His daughter Sandy and her husband live in Tajunga, Calif - right where the terrible fires were raging. They were in Red Lodge when the fires broke out. All was evacuated all around them, and they didn't know what to expect when they got home on Tuesday. I told Paul I'd be praying - and I did. Sandy called to say the fire had burned all around their subdivision and through some of it. They are the third house down the mountain from the forest that was burning. The fire stopped at the end of their street. Praise God! Some of their neighbors weren't as fortunate, so pray for all of those caught in that awful fire. Today is Sandy and Loren's 26th wedding anniversary!

The Search

I'm sorry I have been so "absent" from my blog for awhile. It's been a busy summer. But now I'm back, and I would like to share a bit of what I read while camping. It spoke so loud and clear to me, and blessed me immensely. I hope it will do the same for you.

I was reading 2 wonderful spiritual books. I read both of them over and over. They aren't very big books, but oh so good. The first one I'd like to share with you is "The Secret Things of God" - 1st Corinthians 4:1. (I gave each of you a copy of this book for Christmas last year. If you haven't read it, you will want to find it and open the pages. Such a good book!)

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The first chapter beginning on page 1, is "The Search" - Seek ye first the Kingdom of God AND His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well - Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33 and 34.

The second chapter beginning on page 15, is "If You Seek God, He Will Show Up". In Jeremiah 29:13 - 14 we read "You will seek me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord". You do not have to have the biggest faith, or belief, in the world. Just the act of believing enough to SEEK is enough for Him to come to you. (I asked for God, and Jesus showed up - page 21).

This is The secret! To live out this secret means that you will:

1 - Seek Him in the quiet of your heart - go to a quiet place and tell Him you are looking for Him. Pour out your heart. Ask Jesus to meet you and come to you. Ask Him to show up in your life.

2 - Seek Him with another or others. Get together with someone or others who know Him well. It may seem strange, but you will find it one of the most incredible spiritual experiences you can have. Ask that person or persons how he found God and what God does in his life.

3 - Seek Him by reading the bible. He will talk to you there. It is His love letter to you. If you are not one who reads the bible much, start in Psalms and the book of John. Talk to God about what you are reading, and sit still and let Him talk to you.

4 - Seek Him for the answers you need in your life. Relationships, finances, troubles, healing, guidance, kids, or whatever you need help with.

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND!!!!

On page 14, it says: No matter where you are in your faith journey - whether you are just testing the waters to see if there is anything out there worth believing in or you are a longtime believer desiring a richer, more fulfilling relationship with the Creator of the universe - the starting point is always the same. SEEK!. This is where it all begins.

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND.

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This is only the first 2 chapters - very condensed and in my own words. You will want to follow along by reading it yourselves. And be sure to pick up your bible and seek some of the treasures that are in there. Please share here your thoughts and how God is speaking to you through your seeking and listening. If you can't find your book, or I didn't give you one, you will want to go purchase it for yourselves. It's a book that is worth every penny and the time spent in it. The author is Dr. Henry Cloud. Again - the book is "The Secret Things of God" - unlocking the treasures reserved for YOU"

Tomorrow I'll share some more of what is in this wonderful little book. See you then right here!

Soemthing from Dr. Jeremiah on Turning Point

GOD NEVER SAYS "OOPS!"

A Letter I sent to Tiffany awhile back...thought I'd share

Faith vs. Fear

Creflo A. Dollar

Dear Tiffany,
I have been praying for you, and found this fantastic article, and thought of you. I am sending it to you. I will pray that God speaks to your heart through this wonderful message.
I am behind you all the way, girl!!! (You may not remember me…Karen, Lonnie’s daughter…Your mom’s cousin, Your Grandma’s niece) I can’t wait to see you this summer.
Know you are loved and you have an army of prayer warriors in your path!
Love,
Karen Eve Tinnes

Many people think fear is a normal and acceptable part of life. I've even heard some people say, "There's nothing wrong with having just a little fear." Nothing could be further from the truth. Fear is anything but normal. From a natural perspective, fear is associated with simply being afraid. But spiritually speaking, fear is actually twisted faith. It is having faith in the devil and what he can do, rather than having faith in God and His Word.

Fear isn't just a feeling, it's a force. The Word of God defines fear as a spirit that doesn't come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). To live in fear sets you up for disaster because just like faith will connect you to the promises of God, fear will connect you to the things you fear. When you operate from a position of fear, you actually position yourself to receive the very things you are afraid of.

In examining fear and its impact on your life, it is important to consider words and their creative power. Words are spiritual containers that carry either faith or fear. Words of faith are encouraging, hopeful and in line with the Word of God. On the other hand, words of fear are full of doubt, unbelief, dread and despair. Fear–filled words go against what God has said in His Word and will cancel out the good things that He has planned for your life.

It is critical that you align your words with the Word if you want to override the spirit of fear when it tries to attack you. Faith–filled words empower God to move on your behalf.

Fear is designed to stop you from experiencing all that God has promised you in His Word, but the good news is that He has already delivered you from it. If you are in relationship with God, you don't have to be ruled by any type of fear.

Hebrews 2:14, 15 says, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Fear is the primary tool Satan uses to destroy people's lives. But the ability of the enemy has been annihilated by Jesus Christ. You are no longer subject to fear.

There is a way to flush fear out of your life if you find yourself struggling with it. The key is walking in the love of God and allowing His love to mature in your life. First John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." Every time you walk in love toward others (1 Corinthians 13) and maintain a consciousness of God's love for you, you kick fear out.

Once you get the fear out of your life, your faith "receiver" will be free and clear of all interference. You will then be able to believe God for His promises without hindrances. Allowing the love of God to rise in you will support your faith and position you to receive the blessings of God—healing, deliverance, safety, provision and financial increase.

In the midst of life's trials, refuse fear. I don't care what is going on around you. Resist fear with everything in you. Confess the Word of God over your situation until you begin to see things change. Stand firm on the Scriptures which will help to build your faith. Begin to praise God for what He has already done for you. Have confidence in God and His Word and don't let fear contaminate your faith.

TRAVELING MERCIES

Heavenly Father,

I humbly come before you this night and ask that you grant traveling mercies to ALL family members who are coming to Tacoma this coming weekend. Post your angels around their vehicles, airplanes, trains, rented cars and around them and allow no mishaps to happen. Keep them safe and happy and please allow them to arrive refreshed and ready to enjoy their time here. Please give all who are traveling good weather for their trip and give them the beauty of creation to marvel at as they travel. I love you, Lord. I know you have my loved one's safety and well-being in your hands. Amen.

Saturday, June 7, 2009 - day of prayer for Brian and Diane

This picture was taken at Diane's parents home in Kuhlmbach, Germany in 2006.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 -

"Go eat your food and enjoy it;
drink your wine and be happy,
because that is what God wants you to do.
Put on nice clothes
and make yourself look good.

Enjoy life with the wife you love. Enjoy the work you do here on earth. Whatever work you do, do your best."

and Ecclesiastes 3:13 -

"When you eat and drink and find happiness in your work, this is a gift from God."

God has gifted you - good jobs and all you need.

You are both so wise and lots of knowledge. Thank God for it, and pray for Spiritual Wisdom and Knowledge. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given unto you."

God has blessed you. He IS blessing you right now.

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We know that someday our heavenly Father is going to take all those who follow Him into eternal happiness. It's to that day that we look. It's upon our hope and confidence that He will return that we stand. Our prayer should be that our Father will help us make decisions that will set us on the course of eternal life.

Listen to the Christ rather than to the voices of men. Jesus says you can't please men and still be a servant of God. Those who listen and follow Christ will be received into heaven by the pierced hands of the one who knows the freedom of giving up what you cannot own in order to receive what no one can take from you--eternal life.

Praise the name of Jesus. Lord, may we see the joy that is before us. Would you pull back the curtain and give us just a glimpse into the eternal life? Would you hear the yearnings of our hearts? Will you keep us close to you this day - and always?