tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789734560252374442024-02-19T04:58:36.880-08:00God Me and A Cup of Coffee.Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-39716999990984677482021-04-27T07:25:00.000-07:002021-04-27T07:25:46.106-07:00It's time...Not sure how this new adventure on my blog will go, it is more for me than anyone else I guess.<div><br /></div><div>Time and life have flown by and there is so much to share.</div><div><br /></div><div>More later.</div>Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-74554440271719902142016-05-05T20:50:00.001-07:002017-12-28T08:52:21.308-08:00Perfection..<b>Do you have a friend who seems to have it all together? </b><br />
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Perfect life, perfect home, perfect car, perfect family............. they seem to have it all.<br />
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But do you find yourself trying to measure up, failing at it all, sizing your life up by another person's? It can be exhausting, spirit crushing and will make you feel down-right pitiful! I admit, I have been there - and it made me a little nuts. Sometimes it is even worse when you are doing everything you can to just hold it all together - including living out your faith in God and serving Him - and it might just be that person "living for themselves" that seems to be getting their socks blessed off!!! <br />
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What can we do when we find ourselves in that place where our reality looks so much less "lovely and perfect" than everyone else around us?<br />
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<b>1. Be thankful and realize your blessings.</b> Take a look around and see where your blessings come from. Look for the small things, the large things, the blessings that only you may have. Keep a journal and list something every day. Your list may have the big things, like health, strong marriage, financial blessings. Some day's it may be simple, lemonade on a hot day, the butterfly you saw, a mud pie left on the counter (forget the clean up)! When we look at our blessings, we find peace.<br />
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<b>2. Never forget that you belong to the Father. </b>You are loved and adored. You belong to a good, good Father and He will never leg you go! Know who you are, write scriptures down to remind you. I often keep scriptures on my mirror (and in my kids bathroom mirror) that reminds me just who and Whose I am.<br />
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<b>3. Stay away from media. </b>We have the world at our fingertips. Facebook, Instagram, etc is in our moment by moment lives. We see all the lovely things (and not to lovely) people post. Their Bahama vacation, new car, perfect child at dance, new house (clean house)... just perfect! But if viewing these things all the time is hurting your ability to be THANKFUL for your blessings, however small they may be, shut off the media. <br />
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<b>4. Think about real life. </b>Many times what is on display is not the "real" life. Perhaps their big new car, hides a rocky marriage. Maybe their perfect portrait really isn't so perfect after all. Reality is... no one has a perfect life. No one.<br />
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Let's remember to be thankful for our blessings and gracious to others. God loves each of us and wants good things for His children. May we all keep our eyes on Him and count our true blessings, the ones that really make a difference - especially eternally. <br />Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-51169896718606152652016-04-21T14:01:00.002-07:002016-04-21T14:01:51.297-07:00Can it really be April?It seems that time goes by so quickly these days. Every moment is planned, or somehow becomes planned... it is crazy. I tell myself every day, I need to blog, I need to journal.... yet it still somehow goes undone before I fall crashing into the bed each night. <br />
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When did life become one blur of "fast forward"? I need to slow down. I need to choose my "must do" and "need to do" and "want to do" and "no thank you's" better, but how exactly do I do that. Maybe I'll find the answer this year, maybe I'll be a better mother, daughter, wife, teacher, worshiper.... maybe.<br />
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But for today, for this moment, I am sitting here in the quiet of my office, waiting for time to tick by, so I can go on to the next thing I need to do today... but I am soaking in just a few moments of worship, a few moments of Jesus.... I am so thankful that even in my hustle and bustle of life that seems to keep whirling around like a hamster wheel, He continues to draw me in, to draw me close, to welcome me at any moment in time. He loves me - I love Him. <br />
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Enjoy the following worship video, one of my favorites right now.<br />
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<br />Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-78156461916951141872015-04-01T09:43:00.000-07:002015-04-01T09:43:12.684-07:00Sin - Forgiveness<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>“Who can be afraid of one who is
written in the same list with us? Surely we may come boldly to Him, and
confess our guilt. He who is numbered with us cannot condemn us. Was He
not put down in the transgressor’s list that we might be written in the
red roll of the saints? He was holy, and written among the holy; we were
guilty, and numbered among the guilty; He transfers His name from
yonder list to this black indictment, and our names are taken from the
indictment and written in the roll of acceptance, for there is a
complete transfer made between Jesus and His people. All our estate of
misery and sin Jesus has taken; and all that Jesus has comes to us.”<br />
</i><i> </i></div>
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<i>- C.H. Spurgeon</i></div>
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We all sin. We all can be forgiven. He took everything upon himself, so that we could have everything He has for us. His grace, His mercy, His love, His acceptance, His forgiveness.... everything He has is available for us. <i> </i></div>
Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-33902119508394924942015-02-17T20:07:00.001-08:002015-02-17T20:07:22.210-08:00Unfailing love....<i><b>You delight in unfailing love. Micah 7:18</b></i><br />
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There are days when I just want to run and hide! You know those days... when you feel so much less than you are, like you are failing at everything. You are pulled in every direction, from everyone who needs a part of you. You feel completely under qualified and totally overwhelmed!<br />
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But that is where God can reach you the easiest. And He reminds us that He loves us regardless of our imperfections and failures. He loves us when we are at the top of our "game" or if we have three strikes! (I know nothing about baseball... but it sounded good.)<br />
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As a mom to my clan, I have to do the same - have unfailing love. I have kids of all ages and in all stages... and they do things that I do not approve of. But I love them, in spite of their best accomplishments or total messes.<br />
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We want so badly for our precious children to be the poster child for "perfection" - and some days they may be. But I promise, one day you will wake to find that they have not lived up to your ideals for them (or even God's). Just as God loves us in our messes, we really must love our children in theirs. (And they need to love us when we are a mess too.) <br />
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We can't overlook or condone sin. We do have to offer love and a safe place to land when they realize that they need it. Sometimes loving them means leaving them where they are, so they learn the hard way. (And that mom is very, very hard.)<br />
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I am so thankful for the unfailing love of my Jesus. Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-18211315756345476912015-02-01T20:09:00.001-08:002015-02-01T20:09:49.282-08:00It has to die.....<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>“</i><i>Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, </i></div>
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<i>it remains alone;
but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="John 12.24" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2012.24">John 12:24</a>)</i><br />
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I've really never look at this verse very closely, until today.</div>
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My daddy always had a garden. He often would leave the seeds in the house to dry out in the fall. I loved to play with the seeds and just let them fall through my fingers. But those seeds would just lie there until he put them away. When planting season would come around, daddy would till the soil, and we would plant the seeds. Drop them in the dirt and cover them. They would grow and grow - we would harvest. It was after some of these vegetables were cut and had "died" that the seeds would be harvested.</div>
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Jesus - had to die, be buried and be raised from the dead - to bear much fruit. It was after He completed what He was sent to do - bring salvation to the lost. He bore much fruit.</div>
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We are the same - we have to die to self, allow Jesus to change us, till the ground, plant within us, and we grow - to produce good fruits. </div>
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Sometimes death is painful, we have to surrender OUR wants, for His best. But oh how great the reward in the end.</div>
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Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-69073728098046487672015-01-26T22:13:00.003-08:002015-01-26T22:13:58.555-08:00James 1:12<i><b>"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:12</b></i><br />
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I am totally on track with my reading for the year, horribly behind on my blogging! <br />
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Reading James - I will be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with James!<br />
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Considering it pure joy when I face trials............... not so joyful here!<br />
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Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials.................. God I've been persevering for almost 3 years now, as we walk through this horrible road. I realize that the goal for standing the test isn't a crown here........... it is in heaven. But could I please just have a little break from it all while I'm still here?<br />
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But then he says: <i><b> "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows."</b></i> Ahhhh.... You really do not ever change... whether through trials or through your good gifts - you are always constant and always the same. Thank you!<br />
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My heart is really heavy for someone I love so dearly, who is set to wreck their life, and I can do nothing about it. They can't see good gifts, they refuse to realize trials are only for a time, they get just close enough to God to feel His presence and then run screaming..... I do not understand.<br />
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My heart is breaking... because all it would take for real joy and real peace if for them to just STOP and let God heal their brokenness. Allow God to give them good and perfect gifts - knowing that when trials do come - He is always constant. <br />
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Why can't they see - regardless of whether life is great or life is hard - He just wants them to trust Him, because He never changes.<br />
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Father, I pray for my loved one who is running so hard away from you, as for the person who may be reading this who is running. God I pray, that your light would shine from the heavenlies and they would just STOP running and allow You to work in their broken places.... broken hearts, broken pasts, broken marriages, broken promises, broken families..... wherever they are broken - may they know YOU are always constant and they can depend on You.<br />
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<br />Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-71069225105541717732015-01-02T21:54:00.001-08:002015-01-02T22:05:40.781-08:00365 Days Through the Bible....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have started today, with a reading plan to go through the Bible in 365 days. I read through the Bible about 2 years ago in 90 days, and although I enjoyed it, I know there is so much more God wants me to see and know about His word!<br />
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The awesome website #SheReadsTruth will be going through the entire Bible - so I'm jumping in with them. (They are also beginning this year with a study on the book of John - you should check it out!)<br />
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So - with all that being said - although I probably will not post a daily thought on what I read, I do plan (hopefully) to be consistent sharing the words that speak to my heart.<br />
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Today I played catch up from January 1st reading. I have read Genesis Chapter 1-6 and John 1-2. (When you read the Bible - highly recommend using a "real" Bible - not online and have a choice of several colors of highlighters.) I love to highlight and underline and make notes. (Someday my children will inherit this Bible - I want it well used and falling apart!)<br />
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I have read about Cain and Able many times - you know they both knew the difference between right and wrong... but Cain was entertaining sin. In Gen 4:7 God told Cain - If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.<br />
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All these hundreds and thousands of years later - we are still just like Cain. We know what is right and what is wrong. If we would only do what was right. But instead - we allow the sin crouching at our door to overtake us. Sin desires our very life. It is only through the Blood of Jesus that we can overcome it. Even in Genesis - God knew how desperately we would need a Savior.<br />
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My thought - for 2015 (and always) purpose to do what is right, in all things. Because the enemy of my life wants nothing more than to drag me down to his level.... But I have a Savior!<br />
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<br />Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-47114375521015384962015-01-01T23:13:00.002-08:002015-01-01T23:14:05.510-08:00Happy 2015!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am happy to see 2014 go, although I have some beautiful memories - I am looking with anticipation to mountains being moved in 2015. <br />
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According to something I quickly read today, the biblical "meaning" of 15 is Peace. Should this be truth, that is my prayer for 2015 - Peace.<br />
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I can honestly say that I have learned even more about trusting God in all things this year. <br />
I have learned to extend more grace. <br />
I have learned to be thankful when other's show love in so many ways, by being His hands and His answer to my needs.<br />
I have learned humility. <br />
I have learned more about contentment.<br />
I have learned to love my family better and to pray harder.<br />
I have learned (although not enough) to believe in His timing and His planning - more than my own.<br />
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My list of things I have learned could go on much further than this. I am just thankful that God still uses situations, people, words, prayers and so much more to teach me more and more about Him. <br />
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Welcome 2015 - let's see what God has in store!<br />
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<br />Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-69498666217875713722014-12-25T16:32:00.001-08:002014-12-25T16:40:31.324-08:00Books of 2014Here is a list of books I have read this year. I recommend every one!<br />
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Things Pondered - Beth Moore<br />
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Further Still - Beth Moore<br />
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A Heart Like His - Intimate Reflections on the Life of David - Beth Moore<br />
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Kingdom Woman: Embracing Your Purpose, Power, and Possibilities - Tony Evans<br />
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Amazing Faith - Choco De Jesus<br />
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In the Gap - Choco De Jesus<br />
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Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn From Them - Liz Curtis Higgs<br />
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Praying for Boys: Asking God For The Things They Need Most - Brooke McLaughlin<br />
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The Damascus Way (Acts of Faith) - Janette Okes<br />
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Revealing Jesus - A 365 Day Devotional - Darlene Zschech<br />
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Jesus Calling - Sarah Young<br />
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The Bible<br />
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Suggestions for next year?Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-43488742498341020912014-12-23T13:29:00.002-08:002014-12-23T13:42:56.245-08:00In the waiting...Waiting is not easy.<br />
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Waiting for something you KNOW is to come is very hard.</div>
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Waiting for something you want more than anything, but have never been promised, is almost impossible. But for Elizabeth and Zechariah - waiting became their miracle. Though disappointed and quietly suffering, Elizabeth held onto the promise that SHE was God's child, all while waiting, praying and listening.<br />
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Elizabeth was old, way beyond her years of bearing children, but she desperately wanted a child. She prayed and prayed for God to answer her deepest desire. She had waited for years - and still no child. Can you imagine the whispers and the looks she received from the local women? Bearing a child, especially a son was of the utmost importance. Being barren was to be almost worthless. Elizabeth carried that burden for many years, yet she prayed - she waited - she hoped.<br />
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Zechariah was an important man, he was a priest. He held a place of honor that very few held. He was of a honored line of priests. Yet he had no son to carry on his lineage. But he served, he prayed, he was faithful to God in all things. Many years past the age of normal fathers, his time came to serve in the holiest of places. He was to burn incense in the house of God. He had no idea, what was in store for him, yet he honored God in all things.<br />
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You can read the whole story in Luke, chapter 1. But God provided the impossible for this couple who served Him. He provided a son. God didn't wait too long, He didn't make them wait for no reason. His plan was perfect - they would be the parents to the baby who would one day "proclaim and make ready" the people for the Messiah. God knew that an angel would appear to a young woman, not even married - just beginning her life, and she would become the mother of the One who would save mankind. His timing is perfect.<br />
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The God chose Elizabeth- a woman with an unproven womb, an older woman for a purpose. God chose Mary - a young virgin girl, only engaged to be married, for a purpose. He wanted to display His might, His authority and His power. He wanted to do, what only God could do, so that everyone would know that He was the Author of Life. With Him, nothing was impossible.<br />
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I know what waiting is. I know what waiting without a promise to hold onto is. I know what it is like to pray and pray, and not see any fruits from those prayers - but I also know that it is "MY" time table I rely on, not God's. His timing is perfect.<br />
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If you are waiting - take courage my friend. Pray and listen in the waiting. Just as these women carried life inside their womb for 9 months.... they birthed a promise. God is faithful and He knows when the time is right - to fulfill His plans for us. Be faithful in the waiting... God is going to birth something amazing!</div>
Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-20739557803282558292014-11-03T20:53:00.001-08:002014-11-03T21:02:52.748-08:00Worship is War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I ran across this today... and I totally agree. Worship is truly a lot of different things. <br />
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But I can honestly say that there are days, when time in worship - with great music and my "sword" (Word of God) I go to war. <br />
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Worship is a way to wage war over the things that try to steal our heart and our relationship and security in God. It is a way to fight depression, sadness, anger, hurt, sorrow, fear, and so much more. It is what clears my head and gives me strength to keep fighting.<br />
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Worship is also peace, safety, His embrace, rest, quiet, joy... and the list goes on and on. Worship is many things, at many different times. <br />
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Worship also, should only be given to the One and Only God of the Universe. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING is worthy of worship, except God. (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)<br />
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How do you worship? What motivates your worship? I really want to know.<br />
<br />Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-64088375625468288832014-11-02T12:16:00.003-08:002014-12-02T09:50:17.762-08:00November Days of Thanksgiving<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am thankful for God's grace and mercy. That He loves me at all time, on my highest mountains and my lowest valleys. I am so thankful for His love that never let's go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 2</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am thankful for LifeChurch Birmingham. I am thankful for the people I "do" life with, because they share in my burden and I share in theirs. Church people are not perfect, but they are real, and I am blessed by those I share my time with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 3</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Coffee - yes, I am truly thankful for coffee! I love it on cool mornings, when I soak into the Word of God. I love it when I cuddle on the couch with my kids for movies. I love it early in the morning and late at night... coffee makes me happy! I am thankful for many simple things in life - simply because God allows me to have another moment in this life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 4</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Thankful for my parents. They are truly amazing people. We haven't always seen eye to eye and still don't, but they have always been there for me. I do not know what I would do without them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 5</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I'm thankful for the storms in life. Because it is in the storms that come, that I realize how Great my God is. I seek Him a little harder, I learn to trust Him a little more. I find what real peace is all about, when the storms come. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 6</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I am thankful for friends who pour into my life with grace and truth. They love me as I am, but they also do not mind sharing when I am wrong, or giving me insight I need. True friendship is very hard to find. I cherish these people in my life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 7</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I am thankful for having a home to live in. It provides warmth to my family, shelter out of the rain, and hopefully it has provided memories that will last. My home is decreasing in the number of people who live there, but I am thankful for all the joyful memories. May God grant me the time to make more.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 8</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I am thankful for the heart of my children. For their compassion and love for others. I am thankful that they pray for people and it reaches heaven. Their spirit is beautiful to me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 9</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Thankful for worship - for songs, and hymns and spiritual songs. Worship is dear and close to my heart. I am thankful for the presence of God who meets me every time I enter into worship! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 10</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Thankful for Godly women who pour into my life and into the lives of my daughters.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 11</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I am thankful for the men who pour into my sons through Royal Rangers as well as Youth Pastor. They are good men, who love the Lord, and are making my sons stronger men as they mature.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 12</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I am thankful for creativity. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 13</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Creation in the Fall is at it's most majestic time. The colors of the season are painted with such love and tenderness from the Father. As the leaves fall, and the trees wither - they prepare to sleep in preparation for the new birth of spring!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 14</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">I am thankful for the people I have in my Life Groups (small groups) and how we walk through life together. It's good to know that there are good people, who surround you when you need a shoulder to rely on. And it is good to be able to give back to those same people when they are in need!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 15</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Thankful for my husband and the love he gives to our entire family.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 16</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Thankful for the heritage of a strong family. I am thankful for the aunts and uncles, cousins and all that make up our craziness! Thankful that many of them also share my love for Jesus! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 17</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Thankful for the memories of Thanksgiving's past, and for the memories of those no longer with us this year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Day 18</span></span><br />
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Today I am thankful for God's goodness to change hearts. Sometimes it is hard, to allow the change to happen, but it is always worth it!<br />
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Day 19<br />
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Thankful for my grand babies. I pray that God will cover them with His blessings always.<br />
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Day 20<br />
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I love Jesus - he is my everything!<br />
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Day 21<br />
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I am thankful for my husband, and his unconditional love for me. We have been through so much - both good and bad, God is gracious.<br />
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Day 22<br />
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Peace, peace, wonderful peace.... coming down from the Savior above....<br />
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Day 23<br />
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Unexpected blessings - just when you need them.<br />
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Day 24<br />
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For those in my life who persuade me to strive further and reach higher, especially with my relationship with the Lord. <br />
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Day 25<br />
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I am just thankful.... my heart is full.<br />
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Day 26<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span>Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-52510210440041493322014-10-28T10:07:00.000-07:002014-10-28T10:09:36.550-07:00Forgiveness<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 2.6rem; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>“May (our sons) be kind to others, tenderhearted, and forgiving others as You in Christ forgave him.” Ephesians 4:32</b></i></span></div>
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We are working really hard right now on using KIND words with each other. Out of my seven children I have a huge age diversity still at home. We have a 20 yo girl, 13 yo boy, 10 yo boy and 8 yo girl. That mix tends to leave a lot of room for grumpy, fussy, not nice moments. Those moments often include mom and dad, because on some days - we have just had ENOUGH! (Do you remember those days? or maybe you have those days now! Those ENOUGH days!!!)</div>
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I think it is always good for them to express themselves, but trying to teach them the right way is not always easy. Different personalities add to the grand mix of "not nice-ness". </div>
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However, we do practice a whole bunch of forgiveness. It's a requirement when they have been "at it" again, that they apologize, offer love and forgiveness to each other. It always takes two (sometimes more) to begin the trouble anyway. So apology, love, forgiveness is practiced often here.</div>
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I pray Father God, that my children, my sons and daughters will always know Your forgiveness. Because Your forgiveness is life changing!!! And I pray that they will learn to offer grace and forgiveness to each other, especially those in their family that are there through thick and thin! Thank You for loving Your children so much and for always extending mercy and grace to us.</div>
Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-50303603302616835262014-10-06T11:05:00.001-07:002014-10-06T11:05:32.225-07:00Integrity<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>“But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.” Psalm 26:1</b></i></span></span><br />
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Today's prayer for our sons is so very vital. Integrity is something that is rarely talked about these days, and even far less is it displayed! </div>
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I'm very thankful that my husband has been a man of integrity during our marriage. It has given me great discussions with my sons and daughters. If our children are to have and walk in integrity, we must live it out before them. They need to know that what we do, where we go, what we say, what we watch and listen too... all fits under living a life of integrity.</div>
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I remember years ago, I visited my husbands office with some of the kids. He was a manager at that point and had his own office. I remember one of the ladies in the office making a comment to me, that he was a "good man" and that he always was so careful of appearances when dealing with women. </div>
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We as a couple, had already early in our marriage had the discussion of what to do if we were in ever in situations when we had to be alone with someone of the opposite sex. As much as we tried to prevent that scenario, it inevitably happened in his line of work. I was a great feeling to know that he was living up to what we discussed, even though it was possible I wouldn't have ever known.</div>
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There are things almost every day that we can use as a "teachable moment". Do your sons understand how important their integrity is, do your daughters? Are you making a conscience effort to show them and teach them by the life you life? </div>
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Jesus please help me to walk with integrity in all that I do. May my life exemplify to my children, both daughters and sons, how important living a life of integrity is. Amen.</div>
Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-17828523652797260752014-10-04T20:38:00.001-07:002014-10-04T20:40:06.067-07:00Obedience!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><i><b>May (he) walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he serve You and hold fast to You (Deuteronomy 13:4).</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">I want my sons to be obedient because they want to be. I want them to do what is required of them because they love me and their dad. I want them to follow God's word because their hearts belong to Him and because they believe it is what will make their life whole and complete.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">Jesus, please help me to shape my young men into obedient young men. May they want to keep Your commandments and follow Your Word, because they want to, because they have a holy "fear" of You. Show them that obedience is a sign of strength and not of weakness. Help them to know that those who truly love them will never abuse their obedience. May these young men serve You and hold to You all the days of their life. </span></span><br />
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Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-15375981521049081082014-10-01T20:38:00.000-07:002014-10-04T20:40:43.151-07:00Turning Hearts<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:26 – 27 (NIV)</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One thing that I have learned over the years of being a mom, is that nothing we do, makes any difference if our children's hearts are not turned to God. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">We must set standards, discipline, give wisdom and guidelines - say NO! (By the way mom and dad, it really is ok to say NO!) We are given the task to protect our children from things we know will hurt them, bad environments, bad friends and bad situations. We must parent! However, in that parenting, if we are not praying - begging God to change the hearts of our children we are failing them. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">There is however, this thing called free will that get's in our way - because just as the Father who loves us more than life allows us to choose, we must also watch our children choose. And our prayer is that God will change their heart to a new heart - a soft and fleshy heart totally surrendered to Him. But there will be those children who fight it with all their might. I know! I have had one. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Regardless of what we see, our knees remain bent to the One who can work the best for our children. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Jesus, I pray for my sons (and daughters) that you will give them hearts fresh and new. Take any hardening of their hearts and turn it towards You. I pray that You guide me and give me wisdom on how to steer them towards you. Show me how to impart Your Word into their daily lives. May they have long days, because they follow your commands! Amen.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Just for my girls: </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 29.25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23</i></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-599074092083736262014-09-30T19:07:00.003-07:002014-10-19T16:39:00.408-07:00Sons.<br />
I have felt such an urgency to pray over my sons (and my daughters) because the world we live in is in such a volatile state, and I know that the days ahead will be a testing of all of our faith in God.<br />
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I have three sons, one son of my heart that came along when I married his dad, and two that are sons by birth. They are 21, 13 and 10. The prayers I pray over them are often alike, and sometimes very specific. I wish I had known when our oldest son was young what I have learned since my youngest two have been in my life. Prayers are powerful, and I too often fail them and in my prayers for them.<br />
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I'll probably be discussing some elements from a wonderful book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Boys-Asking-Things-They/dp/0764211439">Praying for Boys</a>.<br />
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For today, I wanted to share something very powerful that I read. It is powerful because it speaks directly to my heart as a mother of sons.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">God hears your groaning, he knows our pain and our hope that keeps a mama on her knees and wears the carpet out and He is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">You are the apple of His eye. His beloved. His thoughts are for you. He will never leave your or forsake you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When he takes his first steps and you realize for the first time he is growing up...God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When you have given it your all and his heart does not change...God is for you. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When you wake up and he is five (or nine or sixteen) and you realize so many moments you've missed and will never get back... God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When you realize the home life you desperately wanted to provide for him may never happen...God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When you realize your own sinful choices have affected him... God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When you're defeated and ready to quit...God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When you see the desires of his heart and realize they're not always good...God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When your son gets hurt, or that heartache you always wanted to protect him from happening...God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When his heart doesn't belong to just you anymore...God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">When the threads of your carpet are worn bare from the praying, hoping and begging God to complete His good work... God is for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">And His heart for you is good.</span></b></span><br />
<br />Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-12089229062369348442014-09-24T08:30:00.002-07:002014-09-24T08:30:39.108-07:00My Weakness, His Power<i>“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" </i><strong>(2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)</strong><br />
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I just want to encourage you today, that what you are walking through is for a purpose.<br />
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As our family continues to walk through a very tough and challenging time, I have found myself on my face, begging God to let it end. And honestly, I do want it to end. I am tired, and I am weary. <br />
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But this morning, I woke up with a different prayer on my lips. (One I should have already prayed.) My prayer was:<br />
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<i>Father, I surrender. I surrender to YOU. I can not make things change, or move faster, or hurt any less - but you can. You alone know every detail of where we are, and what needs to happen and You alone know the final outcome. So I give you everything - my husband, my children, my finances, my wants, my needs, everything is Yours. Help me to rest in You in the waiting. Help me to leave it all where it belongs, in Your hands. Please teach me everything that I need to learn from this experience and may it all be for Your glory and Your praise.</i><br />
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I am weak, I need His power. It is a promise from God - His power is made perfect in my weakness. He is enough for me.<br />
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Are you struggling in a hard, dry and weary place? I encourage you to surrender and just allow God to work in you, right where you are. He is enough<i>.</i>Vanessa C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02088895617607914222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-72314695179186174122014-08-15T22:12:00.002-07:002014-08-15T22:12:17.884-07:00Absolute praiseFather God...<br />
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I am in awe of your goodness to me. In spite of what the world may see... and what we may lack, You have provided and blessed me more than I can ever explain. Possession are truly worthless. Anything that I can be given, or buy in this world...is for nothing.<br />
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The treasures of my heart come in the hugs of my children, the love of my husband, the blessings of good parents. It is what consumes my heart and my mind, that blesses me the most. The seven children I love and pray for daily. Father, may they love you and serve you. I pray for an awakening in some, and for others I pray that you draw them closer to you. Bless these lives and all that they may touch...may You be glorified by them.<br />
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My heart is overwhelmed, when I think of all You have done for me. For your unfailing and unending love. For the joy of my salvation. For the cross and your blood that was shed for me. My heart is overwhelmed when I think of my heavenly home, and being there with You.... worshiping and bowing down before you. To see the scars of your hands and feet and to be in your true presence, that is where I long to be.<br />
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I love this life that I live here on earth, the good, the bad, and the ugly... may every part make me run to You. May every praise from my mouth raise before You. May You never need the rocks to cry out... because my praise is not enough. <br />
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May I someday, sit at your feet. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-73071797020349904792014-08-11T21:15:00.001-07:002014-08-11T21:15:27.344-07:00Worn pages....One of my children and I were having a conversations in which they asked if a certain person had a Bible. I said yes, somewhere I know they do....<br />
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It made me stop and think... I remember often seeing my mom and my grandmother with their Bibles. I always loved to look at them and see the underlining and the comments. <br />
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Today, we have amazing technology... and there is nothing wrong with that. We have Bible apps, Bibles online, Bibles at every turn - except in our hands. The "real" written word I guess.<br />
<br />
I love my Bible. I have gone through several in my life. I have them all boxed up, because I can't bear to part with them, even though they are falling apart. I like to look at them... one is from my teen years, one is from my 20's, and then the one I use now. The scriptures that I highlighted and circled and made notes on have changed, just as the seasons of my life.<br />
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I can't help but think, when my life is over, and my children find my Bibles... will it tell them something about me? Will it show them how much I loved His word. How I cherished it? Will it reveal the messages that were preached, that I took to heart? Would they see the tear stains on scriptures about them? The live verses I claimed, the verses over their lives, their salvation?<br />
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Mom and dad... technology is wonderful, and I love having a Bible app on my phone. I use it a lot when it isn't convenient to have my Bible in my hands - like waiting to get my tags, or the oil changed! :) But in my home, in my quiet time... when one of my children can walk in on me and see that I'm reading and studying... I want them to see my Bible. <br />
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I want His Word - worn out, wrinkled, filled with color and notes - I want it to speak of my love for His Word! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-8484847067057727432014-08-05T20:37:00.001-07:002014-08-05T20:37:02.775-07:00Ready, Set, Go....<b><em>“You crown the year with Your goodness, </em></b><br />
<b><em> and Your paths drip with abundance.”</em> Psalms 65:11</b><br />
<br />
It's that time again! Another year of school. I can hardly fathom that I am approaching my 14th year homeschooling! Wow. <br />
<b> </b><br />
Lord, I pray that this year I will be well organized. I pray that I will have a better ability to give time and grace where it is needed. I pray that I will show love and compassion to my children every day.<br />
Give me knowledge beyond my own reasoning, in order to teach and inspire them to reach greater goals.<br />
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I pray that they would love and honor each other as brother's and sisters. Not only as true siblings, but also as brother's and sister's in Jesus. May they have patience with each other. May they work well together and offer a hand when one is struggling. I pray that they would enjoy each other, and our time together as we study, laugh, play and just learn more about Jesus!<br />
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May everything we do, be pleasing to you Jesus. May our light shine beyond our own walls, into the world that is so lost. May we not stay inward, but take Your love to the world. Protect my children in their thoughts, and in what they hear and see that is of the world. May they seek knowledge of right and wrong from You, and be able to talk to us, as parents to help guide them.<br />
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I am so very blessed to be the mother of these amazing kids. As much as I love them, and want them forever under my wing.... I am excited to see how God is growing each of them. I know that they will be POWERFUL for the kingdom of God.<br />
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Amen!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-4231575933042414762014-07-21T21:50:00.001-07:002014-07-21T21:50:11.815-07:00Seeing God in my children....is the most amazing gift. Knowing that they love the Lord is everything.<br />
Seeing my children worship - with total abandon compels me to be a more open and honest worshiper.
I love to see my children with their arms raised high, or jumping up and down to the music that speaks to them. When did we as adults become so solemn in our worship?<br />
When did it become ok to yell and scream and jump up and down for a football game, or a secular concert - but not in the presence of the very One who gave His life for me?<br />
I believe that order is important, I have seen "church" services get out of control in a bad way. (I've been pentecostal for a long time.) So I am aware that everything can be done in the flesh.... but that isn't what I'm talking about.<br />
As a worshiper, standing on stage Sunday after Sunday - it sometimes saddens me to see the lack of interest in worship. Are we at church for the coffee and friends, or dare we come with hearts ready and eager to meet Jesus face to face? Is it something we do because it is expected, or do we realize that the God who created the universe, spoke the stars into the sky, created our very being and breathed His breath into us, is the same God whose presence we are privileged to experience on Sunday!<br />
I want to be totally unashamed and awesomely free to worship my Jesus! I want Him to know that there is nothing in this world that can elicit more excitement or raw emotion out of me than Him.<br />
I want to worship here, as close to how I will worship Him around His throne one day!!! I do not want to save or waste any of my praise!
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-Jzqq4B8H2Q" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-43169926118172417922014-07-13T12:21:00.000-07:002014-07-13T12:21:27.886-07:00In the stillness...and quietness of the evening, I sit and read my Bible. I am always reminded, that in the hardest of times, and the worst of situations, God is always with me. He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Strong Tower. There is nothing that stops His hand of protection, His arms of mercy, His perfect love for me.<br />
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When everything in my mortal man is screaming, "I'm done! I have had enough. I can not do this any longer, I do not have any strength left.", I remember that it is He who has carried me through and He who always will.<br />
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He is my Lighthouse in every storm, not only can I keep my eyes on Him, His light seeks me out in the darkness! <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JPtIv2lnkTY" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973456025237444.post-20736041407785937462014-06-16T17:41:00.001-07:002014-06-16T17:42:43.828-07:00Worship....I am not a huge fan of Rick Warren - but I ran across this quote on Worship and it spoke deeply to my heart. Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in
your darkest days – when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned,
when you’re out of options, when the pain is great – and you turn to
God alone.</b></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0