Books of 2014

Here is a list of books I have read this year.  I recommend every one!


Things Pondered - Beth Moore

Further Still - Beth Moore

A Heart Like His - Intimate Reflections on the Life of David - Beth Moore

Kingdom Woman: Embracing Your Purpose, Power, and Possibilities  - Tony Evans

Amazing Faith - Choco De Jesus

In the Gap - Choco De Jesus

Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn From Them - Liz Curtis Higgs

Praying for Boys: Asking God For The Things They Need Most - Brooke McLaughlin

The Damascus Way (Acts of Faith) - Janette Okes

Revealing Jesus - A 365 Day Devotional - Darlene Zschech

Jesus Calling - Sarah Young

The Bible

Suggestions for next year?

In the waiting...

Waiting is not easy.

Waiting for something you KNOW is to come is very hard.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Worship is War

I ran across this today... and I totally agree.  Worship is truly a lot of different things.

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.

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.

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.

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)

How do you worship?  What motivates your worship?  I really want to know.

November Days of Thanksgiving

Day 1

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.

Day 2

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.

Day 3

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.

Day 4

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.  

Day 5

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.  

Day 6

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.

Day 7

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.

Day 8

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.

Day 9

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!  

Day 10

Thankful for Godly women who pour into my life and into the lives of my daughters.

Day 11

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.

Day 12

I am thankful for creativity.  

Day 13

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!!

Day 14

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!

Day 15

Thankful for my husband and the love he gives to our entire family.

Day 16

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!  

Day 17

Thankful for the memories of Thanksgiving's past, and for the memories of those no longer with us this year.  

Day 18

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!

Day 19

Thankful for my grand babies.  I pray that God will cover them with His blessings always.

Day 20

I love Jesus - he is my everything!

Day 21

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.

Day 22

Peace, peace, wonderful peace.... coming down from the Savior above....

Day 23

Unexpected blessings - just when you need them.

Day 24

For those in my life who persuade me to strive further and reach higher, especially with my relationship with the Lord.

Day 25

I am just thankful.... my heart is full.

Day 26

Forgiveness

“May (our sons) be kind to others, tenderhearted, and forgiving others as        You in Christ forgave him.”  Ephesians 4:32

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!!!)

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". 

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.

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.

Integrity

“But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.” Psalm 26:1

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! 

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.

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.  

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.

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?  

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.

Obedience!

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).

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.

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.  

Turning Hearts

“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)

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.  

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.  

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.  

Regardless of what we see, our knees remain bent to the One who can work the best for our children.  

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.

Just for my girls:  
Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Sons.

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.

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.

I'll probably be discussing some elements from a wonderful book called Praying for Boys.

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.

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.
You are the apple of His eye. His beloved. His thoughts are for you. He will never leave your or forsake you.
When he takes his first steps and you realize for the first time he is growing up...God is for you.
When you have given it your all and his heart does not change...God is for you. 
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.
When you realize the home life you desperately wanted to provide for him may never happen...God is for you.
When you realize your own sinful choices have affected him... God is for you.
When you're defeated and ready to quit...God is for you.
When you see the desires of his heart and realize they're not always good...God is for you.
When your son gets hurt, or that heartache you always wanted to protect him from happening...God is for you.
When his heart doesn't belong to just you anymore...God is for you.
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.
And His heart for you is good.

My Weakness, His Power

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

I just want to encourage you today, that what you are walking through is for a purpose.

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.

But this morning, I woke up with a different prayer on my lips.  (One I should have already prayed.)  My prayer was:

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 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.

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.

Absolute praise

Father God...

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.

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.

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.

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. 

May I someday, sit at your feet. 

Worn 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....

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. 

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.

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.

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?

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. 

I want His Word - worn out, wrinkled, filled with color and notes - I want it to speak of my love for His Word! 

Ready, Set, Go....

“You crown the year with Your goodness, 
          and Your paths drip with abundance.”   Psalms 65:11

It's that time again!  Another year of school.  I can hardly fathom that I am approaching my 14th year homeschooling!  Wow.

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.
Give me knowledge beyond my own reasoning, in order to teach and inspire them to reach greater goals.

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!

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.

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.

Amen!

Seeing God in my children....

is the most amazing gift. Knowing that they love the Lord is everything.
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?
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?
 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.
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!
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.
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!

In 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.

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.

He is my Lighthouse in every storm, not only can I keep my eyes on Him, His light seeks me out in the darkness! 

Worship....

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!

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.

Teenagers!

I have four adult children and three younger children.  One of my sons just turned 13 - so why after four have come and gone, does the thought of a teen still clutch my heart?

Teenage years are hard.  They are hard on the teen and they are hard on the parents.   So many rocky waters to navigate, new ideas to process, peer influences that are much stronger than ever before... and the list goes on.  I am so thankful I have my Jesus to walk through all of this with me (and He is with my son).

I saw this blog post today, and need to share.  It is a great post on 10 mistakes parents make with their teens, and I think they are spot on!

Top Ten Mistakes

Please take a moment and read this, it might help you one day!

A share from Ann

I love reading other blogs, mostly because they say so often what is on my heart, that I do not have the words for.

One of my favorite blogs is written by Ann Voskamp, she writes with such beauty.

Today's post by her, spoke volumes to me... so I wanted to make sure you were blessed by it as well.

Here is the link:  When you feel like you just keep blowing it....

Weariness...

I read this quote today:  If Satan cannot distract you with worldliness, He will seek to drain you with weariness. -- In Christ's Image Training

This is just so true!  

If there ever was a time....

to get your relationship with God in order and to LIVE fully committed to Christ, it is NOW.

He is coming back.  He is seeking out His Bride, and He is looking for a pure and spotless Bride.

I've messed up many times, sin is sin.  But His blood, His grace, His mercy.... covers me.

I am part of His Bride... and I am awaiting His coming!

Love these lyrics...

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord

(All Sons and Daughters)

Worship

His Blood....

Is precious to me.

His blood covers me.

His blood, His body, His sacrifice.

All for me.

Today...

I am thankful for sunshine.

I am thankful for the laughter of healthy children.

I am thankful for family.

I am thankful for those who love me.

I am thankful for those who persecute me.

I am thankful for redemption.

I am thankful for forgiveness.

I am thankful for the One True God.

I am thankful.............



Sometimes, it is just good to look at the things you have to be thankful for. 

It will change your perspective.

My Peace

In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.  And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it (put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it).
                                    -   John 1:4-5 AMP

God's peace is always with me.  Sometimes when everything is going well and the world is sunny and bright, His peace blends in with all the happiness and joy around me.  But when things are hard, when I am hurting, when I do not understand, and the world is dark and dreary, His peace shines boldly around me.

It is in both of these times, that God is teaching me and showing me that His peace is always there.  I am never alone.  His presence is the same way as His peace.... it is always there, but it pierces the darkness when I need it the most.

The darkness of this world, of our circumstances, of our situations in life can overwhelm us.... but if we can just look up, His light is all around and He is walking through it all with us.

Isn't God good.

Wednesday Worship

One of my favorites!

Wednesday Worship

Christ is Enough.................

Psalm 121

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Wednesday Worship

  I love this new song by Casting Crowns!

I'm on the throne, stop holding on, and just be HELD!

Cover - For Your Use

I love to make FaceBook Covers - so feel free to save this one and use for yourself!

Desperation...................

Listening to a message by Tony Evans tonight - Women Who Moved God's Hand.

Quote:  When you are desperate - why do you call the banker, the parent, the friend first? 

When you are desperate - go straight to the FATHER!

Why do we so often go to every other "source" instead of going to THE SOURCE!

Conviction!  Yes.

Think....

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Phil 4:8

I love my children more than anything on this planet.  They are my breath and life.  

As their mom, I am responsible for what they put in their minds.  It is important that I feed them God's Word, good music, and watch even more closely what is set before their eyes.

With all the changes in the network shows, especially those stations who are supposed to be for children, I feel even more deeply about this scripture.  

Someday, they will be responsible for themselves, just as my older children are.  But for now, I have 3 young children still at home.  So whether or not they "like" me and the decisions I make, it is God that I answer too.  Luckily, my kiddo's trust me and know that I won't allow things to be set before them that might hurt their heart or spirit, or lead them astray.

So mom (and dad) I implore you to be aware of what is on your TV.  Know what your kids are reading.  Know what they are listening too.  If it does not meet up with the standards of Phil 4:8, do not be afraid to get rid of it.  

God, I am so thankful that you have found me faithful to be a mom.  Please help me to use wisdom and discernment in what my family listens to, watches, and reads.  May I listen to Your voice and know when there is danger.  And God, help me to do the same with what I put before me.  You are faithful.  Amen.

Psalm 100

Psalm 120 
 (American Standard Version (ASV) )

A Song of Ascents. 

In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me. 
2 Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, And from a deceitful tongue. 
3 What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue? 
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper.  
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 
6 My soul hath long had her dwelling With him that hateth peace. 
7 I am for peace: But when I speak, they are for war.

Wednesday Worship

Heard this song for the first time this week.... wow!!

What a powerful song.

When My Heart Is Torn Asunder - Phil Wickham

Very busy week...

So here is Wednesday Worship - on Saturday.....



Or, if you like a little more "beat"...

Wednesday Worship

Hello all!

Such a beautiful song - I Trust You. 

This song speaks to my heart so deeply.  I am learning daily, to trust in Him regardless of how I feel or what I see.  I realize more and more every day, that trusting God is usually "blind" faith.  We never can know what God has in store for us... but we always have to trust!

Drawing Closer....

I love the beginning of each year, when our church body goes into 21 days of prayer and fasting.  I find strength in my fast, knowing others are fasting and praying along side me!

As I was reading last night, a scripture in Psalm jumped out and spoke to me.  Don't you love it when that happens?  God is so good to speak to us, when we are listening.

My worries overtake me more than I would like to admit, but I am so thankful for the comfort God gives, through His presence and through His word.  He brings JOY!

Dear Jesus, may I learn to depend on Your joy even more than before.  Help me to not become so focused on my worry that it hides the comfort You provide.  Amen

2014 - Forward

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1b-3a

Happy New Year! For the past few years, I have had my "word" for the year. Last year it was PEACE. I will admit, this has been a very hard year, but I have known a peace that I never knew before. God's peace has made itself so real to me in so many ways.

I wish I could say, that as this year ended, everything was "GREAT" for our family, but there remains unknowns, and so much more. But I have found a peace that truly passes my small understanding.

So what is my "word" for 2014?

It is FORWARD.... because sometimes, moving forward is the difference between life and death. In the scripture, it says when we pass through the waters, and through the rivers, and walk through fire........... He is with us.

So for me, continuing to move FORWARD, even in all my waters, and rivers, and fire, is an accomplishment. I know that the Word also talks about being "still", and there are definitely times for that. But right now, in this time of my life, it is about moving FORWARD.

Time is not stopping, my family is not stopping, my desire for God in greater ways is not stopping... it all is moving FORWARD. I just have to remember that He is with me, and that nothing can consume me, because He is with me. So in this new year, beginning today......... I move FORWARD.

Here is Wednesday Worship: Enjoy!!!