It would be so easy. . .

It would be so easy to just quit. . .

• quit homeschooling because this is hard.
• quit cleaning the house because I never seem to get anywhere.
• quit trying to teach my children right from wrong and just give them whatever they wanted.
• quit submitting to my husband and stand up for myself.
• quit trusting anyone.
• quit loving my neighbor.
• quit pushing through the physical pain and just lay down to sleep.
• quit, quit, quit, quit.

It would be so easy to just crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

I will press on, and trust in My Abba, who I know has my back.

Distraction

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Revelation 2:4 (NIV)

Isn't it amazing how little it takes to distract us from our first love? I'll be the first to admit that I have been distracted these past few months. My prayer life has suffered, my church life has suffered and my devotion has suffered. It is so easy to get off track, to suffer from the "I'll do it laters" of life. Perhaps that is why I have been so terribly exhausted lately.

Thankful Thursday

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Today I am thankful to our Lord for this verse, even though quite often I forget it's promise.

I was reading the news and came across the story that Owen Wilson had attempted suicide. My first reaction was what reason could he possibly have to do that he has everything. Then the Lord whispered to my heart. . . "Does he really?" Then He brought to mind a time that things were so dark that I felt I had no where else to turn. Let's pray that Mr. Wilson finds a place to turn, to the Healer of hurts, the Lover of souls, the All in All.

I am thankful that in my time of dark and swirling despair that Our Father was there, even though for a while I couldn't seem to find Him.

I would die for that

This song, well it made me cry and it made me feel very blessed at the same time.

I found it at http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-would-die-for-that.html and she found it at http://www.ccostello.blogspot.com/

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful that someday Jesus is coming back to set up His kingdom.
2. I'm thankful that we serve a God who wants a relationship with us.
3. I'm thankful that the Bible is the literal word of God.
4. I'm thankful that He pours His perfect Love into our imperfect hearts
5. I'm thankful that the kitchen is finally painted.

Still Painting

We are still at it, I can't wait to show you all pictures of my beautiful new kitchen. On another note, we had another miracle. Yesterday, when we got home my husband's car wouldn't go out of park, we were devastated. We spent the whole rest of the day, praying, and lamenting over what we would do since my van is parked and undrivable. Later in the evening my husband saw a neighbor who has the same make and model of car was pulling into her driveway. My husband walked over and asked her if she had ever had this problem. She said that she had and showed him how to fix it. Praise the Lord. The car is fixed, well at least it will go into drive. Thank you Jesus. Again for being the one who provides for all our needs.

I am overwhelmed!!!

We had a financial emergency this afternoon. A large check that was supposed to be here didn't come and they said that it would be next week before it was processed. This threw us into an unimaginable tail spin. I put out an email requesting prayer. Within in one hour our short term needs were met. The God we serve is AWESOME. Don't get me wrong. Even if He hadn't provided for my short term needs, He is still AWESOME!! I can't imagine life without the Lover of my Soul.

Show and Tell

"Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!" Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there's a story behind your special something, that's even better!

If you wanna join the fun go over to http://www.kellishouse.blogspot.com/.

I'm not very original today, but here goes. . . . I'm getting ready to paint my kitchen, cabinets and all so here is . . .

My show and tell today . . . this book. I was doing another Beth Moore study and this one caught my eye. I have always been drawn to the book of Daniel, as a matter of fact I even named my daughter Danielle. It is a very good study and I am really learning a bunch. I am also on the look out for a really good study of Isaiah. I just love digging into the word.

With this study you can download the video and audio sessions from www.lifeway/women

or you can download the audio sessions on your iPod from the iTunes store for $3.99 a session, that's what I did and it works out quite well. Wow I sound like an infomercial. Gotta go clean and paint. Have a great day.

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for the lean times, so we can enjoy the times of plenty.
2. I'm thankful for the sad times, so we can enjoy the times of joy.
3. I'm thankful for the night, so we can enjoy the morning.
4. I'm thakful for rain, so we can enjoy the sun.
5. I'm thankful for hectic times, so we can enjoy the rest.
6. I'm thankful for the cold, so we can enjoy the warmth.
7. I'm thankful for the weeping, so we can enjoy the laughter.
8. I'm thankful for the mess, so we can enjoy the tidy.
9. I'm thankful for the lonely times, so we can enjoy the friendship.
10. I'm thankful for a Father in Heaven who knows how to give us balance so we can enjoy all of His good gifts.

The Lord's Prayer

I received this in an email and I thought it was very good.

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

But -- you called ME!

Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying.

Our Father who art in Heaven.

There -- you did it again!

Did what?

Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven" Well, here I am.What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer.

It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.

Well, all right. Go on.

Okay, Hallowed be thy name .

Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?

By what? By "Hallowed be thy name"?

It means, it means . . good grief, I don't know what it means.

How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer.

By the way, what does it mean?

It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before. Thanks.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,on earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you doing about it?

Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control - of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.

Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me!

I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!

Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for MY will to be done.

If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it.

Like you -- for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.

Now that you mention it,

I could probably name some others.

So could I. I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things.

I would like to, you know, be really free.

Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME.

I'm proud of You.

Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here.

This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for.

Remember, you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now.

Keep praying. ( . . pause . . )

Well, go on.

I'm scared to.

Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.

Try me!

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

What about Amy?

See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up!

Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.

She never paid back the money she owes me.

I've sworn to get even with her!

But -- your prayer --What about your prayer?

I didn't -- mean it.

Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness

and resentment isn't it?

Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.

Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.

No, you won't feel any better.You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet.

You know how unhappy you are -- right?

Well, I can change that.

You can? How?

Forgive Amy.

Then, I'll forgive you;

And the hate and the sin will be Amy's problem -- not yours.

You will have settled the problem

as far as you are concerned.

Oh, you know, you're right. You always are.

And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You . . (sigh).

All right . all right . . I forgive her.

There now! Wonderful!

How do you feel?

Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all!

In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed quite as uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.

Yeah, I know.

But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on.

Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Good! Good! I'll do that.

Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

You know what I mean.

Yeah. I know.

Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For Thine is the kingdom,and the power,and the glory forever.

Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory --What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know.

I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be.

So, tell me .. . . How do I make you happy?

YOU just did!

Christian Service Ideas

Say Thank You to Someone who has ministered to you. Pray. Listen. Visit a sick friend. Visit someone in the hospital who has no family. Pray. Clean a neighbor's walk. Mow a single Mom's lawn. Open a door. Send an anonymous gift. Give a gift certificate from a grocery store. Pray. Tip generously. Help someone learn a new skill. Babysit someone's children for free. Share a smile. Pray. Show up on sick friend's doorstep and clean their bathroom. Read to a child. Help carry a load. Share a smile. Buy yarn for a single person who knits or crochets. Invite someone to Sunday School. Pray. Get a group together and do a mini makeover of someone's yard. Take a boy hunting. Visit a nursing home. Financial Counseling. Tell the truth in Love. Pray. Buy a cashier a soft drink. Write a letter to someone overseas in prision for their Christianity. Sponsor a child. Host a yard sale and donate the profits. Take tapes of worship services to the elderly or shut-ins who can't attend worship. PRAY!!! Adopt a missionary. Come along side a busy mother. PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Love. . .

My Bible Study has been doing the Beth Moore study, Loving Well. It has got me thinking about what love really is.

Webster's Dictionary defines the kind of love I am talking about as - an unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others b : a person's adoration of God.

Is Love really an emotion? If it is an emotion is it somehow different from all other emotions?

I cannot sustain many emotions long term. I can be angry, but only for while, then the anger dissipates. I can be sad, but only for a season then the saddness mellows.

If Love is an emotion how can we be commanded to Love? Love must be something more than a chemical reaction, more than just a gut feeling. Love must be a choice. A choice we must make with the help of God.

Count it ALL Joy.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

James 1:2-7 NIV

Last night at Bible Study so many of my friends had so many burdens. My heart was very heavy for them. I spent a fitful night of concern for them. Perhaps it is because I have been there, in great pain and need. I know the feeling of struggle. I also know that I would not trade my struggles for all the money in the world. They have made me who I am, what I am. The season of pain and heartache may seem long, but oh, it is so beautiful on the other side. To have a heart that has been refined by the fire, to NEVER be the same again. No, I would not trade that for anything.

Don't misunderstand me. I am sinful and my heart is not pure or perfect, but it is softer than when my journey began. My faith is stronger than it used to be.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Hebrews 12:1-12 NIV

No, trials are not easy. They are not meant to be. My giants haven't always been laundry and dishes. There used to be a saying in strength training, "No pain, no gain." Well without pain our souls cannot gain either. It is not for "no reason" Jesus is called the perfecter of our faith.

I have learned this though, the sooner you recognize the trial and the sooner you put yourself on your face before God, the sooner He comes along side of you and helps you in the trial. Notice I did not say the sooner He removes the trial, which sometimes He does, I said the sooner He helps you in the trial.

Who would you rather have helping you? God? Or yourself?

I do NOT have all the answers, but I serve a God who does.

Hebrews 12:11 says, No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

It produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. This is so true.

Thankful Thursday

I am Thankful for. . . .

The fact that once God starts chasing you there is no getting away from Him.

http://www2.bc.edu/~anderso/sr/ft.html. The poem "The Hound of Heaven".