"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Col 3:12)
I'm praying for Patience as we wait upon the Lord, and especially for those...
-waiting for NYC to get back to normal; patience, patience, PATIENCE in the meantime.
-needing guidance and direction while searching for jobs.
-who have less than perfect test results and are waiting to see what will come next.
-needing a miracle in their marriage and endurance for those supporting them in the meantime.
-praying for their loved-ones who haven't completely trusted God with their lives.
-moms who feel helpless and concerned.
Please feel free to add your prayers to mine. I'd be honored to pray for you and yours!
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." Psalm 77:11 "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2
Yesterday I had cider and donuts (again!) with my niece before dropping her off at the airport. I justified it by wanting to remind her of the little things that make Fall in Michigan so inviting and remind her of "home." My plan didn't make it all better for her (or me!). I had too many donuts. I was reminded of a few things. First of all, too many donuts are not good for me. They are full of sugar and God knows how sugar is the enemy for me since it is so addictive. Don't you just love the kind covered with cinnamon and sugar, especially when they are still hot? I don't know how some people can eat just one. Donuts do not make me feel better. The whole emotional eating thing is crazy. Why I would think donuts are comfort is crazy. I know God is the only one who can give us comfort. This morning (a little late) I remembered that if I fill myself with junk, there isn't room for the good things. Also, if I fill my thoughts and time with anything other than God, there isn't room for Him. God knows I need Him more today than I did yesterday.
I know I've posted this song many times before, but this morning it's worth hearing again. He always makes me glad.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Prov 3:5-6)
Lord, although Maggie doesn't understand, help her to trust you to show her where to go from here. Give her wisdom and please surround her with only Godly people. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Lord, stay close to Maggie and hold her so tightly that there is no room for anything other than Your love. Remind her that You will never, ever leave her.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer 29:11)
Lord, I trust your plan is best. Help her to keep believing You know exactly what You are doing. One day this will all make sense.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans8:28)
Lord, Your Will, not hers. She loves you and I pray her faith grows deeper through this very difficult season.
Love That Will Not Let Me Go
In this weary world chasing after dreams just led me back
where I started
I couldn't see my way, or find a hiding place for the
broken-hearted
You spoke softly to my soul, with one touch I was made whole
(Now I know that) there is a love that will not let me go
I can face tomorrow because You hold me forever
Stronger than the mighty winds that blow, I'm safe within
Your arms
Love that will not let me go
Lord You always knew the road that I would take
But then You saved me just in time
And what I owe to You I could not repay so I pledge You
my whole life
Never trusted love before but I won't be afraid anymore.
by Steve Camp
Dear Lord, When I was at my sister, Vic's bedside right before she went home to be with You, I promised her I would do what I could to be there for her children. I'm so thankful that when I don't have the words to give her comfort, you do. Thank You for Your Word.
"a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak," ~Ecc 3:7
Finding my Scripture memory verse was just as challenging the last time I made the commitment. Thank goodness I start work late on Mondays or I wouldn't have had time to find the right one that will give me Peace in the middle of the night.
I'm thinking about so much that has been torn apart in my own life. Some people's lives are in the midst of the tearing apart and some are in the midst of mending. For me I feel I'm on the other side and things are mending. I'm thinking about scars that only God can heal from the inside out and in His perfect timing.
I still have more to say on this blog but have been in silent mode lately. I totally believe there is a time for everything and I'm grateful when He gives me wisdom to keep my mouth shut at times. One thing I know for sure is that I am a mess when I'm not in His Word. If you have never tried memorizing Scripture you will learn that if I can do it, anybody can! The hard part for me is just finding the verse.
Friday morning I was on my elliptical machine listening to a message. I wanted to take notes, but didn't want to stop my workout so I went into my fancy "notes" application on my phone. I was texting quickly and was going to write "Lord" but instead my fingers hit "Lies." Stop right now and look at the keyboard on your phone. See what happens if your fingers are just a little off? It's scary!
As I laid in bed early this morning trying to decide if or where I should go to church today I was full of indecision. (That's a crazy thought in itself!) Anyway, I made a cup of coffee and decided to put my face in the book of Luke instead of another kind of book on my computer. I read about End Times. To be honest, I never really think a lot about it. I have always thought I would die and go to Heaven and that would be the end of it. It was just a matter of how I die. Will it be cancer, heart disease, car accident? I had never considered the fact that it could be just an ordinary day when He comes back to take us with Him. What I read this morning scared me. I am seeing what was written in those words happening in front of my eyes. I'm so concerned. You know as well as I do that families are falling apart and people are betraying each other all the time. So many of us are so lonely in our own homes. Husbands and wives aren't on the same team; they aren't "leaving" their parents and making their own families together! Parents are encouraging this behavior! Couples all around the world are sitting in the same room in front of their own laptop computer instead of relating with each other. We are all interconnected but lonelier than ever. Families are scattering and moving away from each other without even saying goodbye. People divorce without giving it a second thought because they "deserve to be happy." Kids don't get to be with both of their parents! Unfortunately I know of worse things I can't even share on this post. Christians are scaring me more than non-Christians. We don't know who to trust!
Satan is laughing and I'm getting mad. I learned a long time ago that anger and hurt are the same thing and that hurt people hurt people. I'm praying today for all of those who are hurting. I'm also praying that they trust God in this crazy world. This isn't Heaven, but I believe Him when He says He's coming back to make all things new. I'm hoping it's sooner than later.
If you'll excuse me, I'm getting off of here to go make my husband breakfast!
Have an amazing Sunday! I pray whoever reads this post stops what they are doing and looks at their loved ones like they are looking at the face of Jesus. Let it start with me.
We were at the wedding of one of our closest friends' daughter last night. We had such a nice time! It was an outdoor wedding in a very beautiful setting. Our other friend officiated the wedding so it was real nice. The father-of-the-bride used his toast as an opportunity to invite God to the wedding. It was a prayer for his daughter and her new husband. It was awesome how he brought in what really matters to him!
I had a conversation with another friend during dinner. He is newly retired. We were talking about what he wants to do in this next stage of life and about the fact that as we get older we start thinking more about our passions and our legacy. What do we care about most? How do we want to be remembered? Why are we here anyway?
Somehow we started talking about Faith. He said he is so grateful that he has been given the gift of Faith. I was surprised that after all of this time I didn't really, really, really in the depth of my soul think of it as a gift. I told him I didn't consider it a gift, but a choice. He corrected me immediately. He said there are many people who wish they had it, but don't. Right off the top of my head I thought of a few people close to me who have told me they wish they could, but don't. Usually I quickly go to a place (Forgive me, Lord, but almost judging them --> when I should have been praying for them!) where I think to myself that they will; One day God will give them reason to trust Him and surrender their life to Him because they cannot get through _____ on their own. They will have to fall to their knees one day.
I've been thinking about it all day. I spent so much time researching on my computer as if I was just diagnosed with something I knew nothing about. I was searching for knowledge. I thank God that so many of the sites I clicked on had Bible verses (I had read many times before!), proving that Faith isn't a choice, but a gift. And I have been taking it for granted my whole life!! I also learned it's best to find wisdom from His Word. I wish I would have gone there first!
Today I went from confusion to clear understanding to confusion and back to understanding again. I know Satan is the author of confusion and God is... "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." Hebrews 12:2.
Getting back to my legacy: Above all, I want all to know that I am rooted in Faith, confidently trusting God with every part of my life and I pray I inspire you to do the same.
I'm very thankful that I was able to visit my daughter in New York a couple of weeks ago. It was especially nice that we had her apartment to ourselves. I loved just spending time together and cooking some meals on Sunday with Van Morrison playing in the background and a nice candle burning.
Then last weekend I was able to fly to North Carolina to watch my son get sworn into the Bar Association. I'm very grateful for having had the opportunity to hear his sponsor say, "May it please the court... I'm pleased to introduce John and recommend his admission to the bar." I loved our intimate celebration with just the two of us afterwards. Oh, and I helped him move again. This is hopefully not his last move. The house is in his price-range, but he is not going to be living in the manner to which he is accustomed. We are hoping it is short-term. :)
I'm grateful for having quality time with my sister and her family. It was short and sweet, but totally worth it. They are so loving and supportive of us. I wish everyone had people in their lives who are as loving and caring as them.
I have been making it a point to learn as much as I can about my family's health history. It was quite scary when I had to fill out a form asking me to list my family members who have had health concerns. I had to list every one of my family members (dead and alive). It was enough to stop me in my tracks and make the choice to be smarter. I'm very very grateful for my health! I just need to eliminate sugar from my diet, eat organic meats and cheese, cut down on my cheese consumption (2x weekly?!) and get back into yoga. If I make those simple changes I should be okay! Did you know that everyone has cancer cells and they feed on sugar? Oh, and wine has a ton of sugar in it! ;)
When the approximately 400 people were sworn in, the sponsors all began by looking straight in the judge's eyes each time and said, "May it please the court, your honor..." I couldn't help think about this song by Matt Redman, Better is One Day.
"Better is one day in Your courts... Than thousands elsewhere." Isn't that the truth!!
May my life and yours Please the Only One who matters!
