Prayers for Joanne

Praying for our sweet blog sister in Christ, Joanne (on the far right).  

 

2011 Scripture Memory Verse #2

God really has a sense of humor.  I am making a major life change shortly.  When I first made the decision, I had SO much Peace about it.  I was sure it was the right thing to do, but now that it's almost here, I am questioning myself.  Did you notice how I said I am questioning "myself"?  I didn't say I was questioning God, just me!  Just yesterday the thought crossed my mind that I trusted God TOO much and now I'm freaking out!  I know it sounds funny, but those words actually came out of my mouth. Thus, please find my second Scripture Memory Verse of 2011. 

a not-so-private prayer

I've often wondered how people stay on fire for Christ when they grow up with God in their lives. Since I found God in the midst of turmoil and was in total desperation, I couldn't understand how others kept their passion when life was going smoothly. I think I finally get it.  At some point of their lives (and we have no idea when that will be) they will need God, too and have to make the choice to either "buy it" for themselves or "run away" when their faith is being tested. I believe God is a jealous God. He wants us to Himself and He will do whatever it takes for us to need Him.  When we have absolutely no other choice but fall on our knees and beg Him to intervene.  I believe He rewards those who throw caution to the wind and take the risk by begging.  It's hard to sit on the sidelines and try to tell someone that God is the only answer when they want to go running... the wrong way.

So Lord I beg You...

Invade the lives of these people I dearly love.  It doesn't matter whose fault it is or who hurt the other one worse.  When it looks to them like there is no other choice but run, please give them a little hope.  Help them see only the positive in each other and see each other like you see them. Help them to stop trying to figure it out.  Give them a break from the chaos and confusion and have a little fun together.  Help them to remember all of the lives that have been touched because of their union.  God, please do what only You can do.  You and I both know that it's only by Your Grace that we are still married. I'll never forget the day we fell on our knees and prayed that ugly prayer begging you to help.  Neither one of us knew what to do to make it better.  It was too much for us to figure out.  Tear down the walls between them.  Help them to see what made them fall in love in the first place.  Lord, make this test of faith be their own personal  testimony.  Lord, thank You for healing our broken marriage.  Because of the miracle You did in ours, I'm on fire for You.  I trust You with all my heart.  I trust that nothing is too difficult for You.  I know that I know that I know that I know that if they eliminate their pride and selfishness they can learn to love each other deeply and they will be giving encouragement to another couple one day.  Make this be the point of their lives when they draw a line in the sand. This is the time (January 2011) when You performed the miracle and the world saw that they made it past this major bump in the road, and it's only because You took over.  Show off for this whole family to see for themselves that it's not over.  Don't let Satan convince them to quit. Please help them forgive each other for the many things can that happen when "Hurt People Hurt People"!  Help them feel Your unconditional love, so they can love each other unconditionally. Thank You for being way bigger than this.  They need Your help.  Thank You!

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)

Please listen to this song... :)

Soften their hearts, Lord.
In Love and Thanksgiving,
Angie

adjustments

I went to the chiropractor today and apparently my spine was way out of alignment.  He told me I was very tense and holding my stress in my neck. I don't know exactly how it all works, but I do know that when a car is out of alignment the steering wheel swerves to the left or right. It doesn't ride smoothly. You should have heard my back and neck crack when he did the adjustment. I was instructed to come back next week and for several more visits until we can get things straightened out.

I'm pretty sure my back isn't the only thing out of whack these days.  I need to make some major adjustments in my life.  God is on the brink of doing something huge in my life and I want to prepare myself so I can see what He is doing as clearly as possible. When I'm worried and stressed in the middle of the night I better remember to Pray for His Peace and Pray His Prayer.

"Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).

I'm confident God is in the midst of whatever we are going through and He'll give us exactly what we need.  We must trust Him right this minute... today, tomorrow and the next day.  When He closes one door, He opens another.

notes

The last couple of evenings I listened to Passion 2011.  It made me wish I had been exposed to this when I was in my 20's. Here are just a few of the notes I want to remember. I didn't take enough, for sure. The thing I love about being a Christian is the fact that it doesn't matter how old we are; He keeps teaching.  I hope I keep learning when I'm 80 years old!  The following notes are very unorganized, but I wanted to get them down. Maybe you will be Blessed as well.

Beth Moore:
RENEWED MIND
2 Tim 2:26  Satan also has a plan for my life.
Eph 4:17-19 New Testament definition of addiction: with a continual lust for more. compulsion, substance- calls for more.
**Psalm 27:4 Renewed mind focus (reflect on Him) not multitasking. Shut off every other voice. Do one thing. Memorize a chapter. Phil 3:10 JUST DO ONE THING.
Luke 2:18 & 19 Think past the obvious, amazing will not change my mind. Think it through... Don't multitask. Don't just be amazed.
I have the capacity to choose how I want to think.
I can think a new thought about the old thing.
I can't change how I feel. No, I can change my mind and it will change my heart. You can't change how you feel but you can change how you think. And that will eventually change how you feel!
1 Cor 2:9-10 No mind has conceived... what God has prepared but He has revealed it by his Spirit.
Luke 24:45 He opened their minds so they can understand the Scriptures that I will love it more.
I want to love Him with my MIND.
Romans 12:1-2 But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. THEN we will be able to test and discern His Will for our lives.

John Piper:
"You are precious to me. I will not let your preciousness be your God. I alone am your God." (I didn't hear his whole message. I wish I could have heard more.)

Francis Chan:
Does it make sense according to what I believe?  I want to have so much joy. Let my life match up with what I believe in. Please Lord, let me be bold.

I want my life to make sense in light of the Gospel.

Andy Stanley:
Our APPETITE... It can overpower our prayers... It has the potential to determine the direction and quality of our life. I will rule it or it will rule me.

There is an appetite for... Progress, Responsibility, Respect, Win, Love, Acceptance, Fame, Recognition, To be Envied, Things.
GOD CREATED THEM, SIN DISTORTED THEM. THEY AREN'T BAD, JUST BROKEN.
THEY ARE NEVER FULLY AND FINALLY SATISFIED!!!!!!! Same is true of all of those things. Our appetites always whisper NOW, never LATER.
Trade the ultimate for the immediate.
We eat things we shouldn't eat... Drink things we shouldn't eat...
My response to my appetite will affect God's Will in my life.
First sell me your birthright ... for a bowl of Stew!!! Jacob and Esau
I'm about to die... What good is the birthright to me?
Impact bias takes a simple appetite and magnifies it out of proportion. It exaggerates... Your brain lies to you. This is why you have buyers remorse.
Focalism... focuses our minds on one thing and blurs out everything else.
Surrender your appetite for HIM. The stew was gone and so was his birthright!!
Is it worth trading my...
Five years from now...
My appetite wants MORE and NOW.
What's at stake? I don't know because I have no idea what God could do through me. What's my bowl of stew right now?
You might be trading your future for...? My habit. My shortcut? It's my bowl of stew. REFRAME... REFRAIN.

I'm thankful for these obedient servants of God.  I'm also very convinced that there are no coincidences and that He wanted me to hear these messages this week.

Jesus, I Believe... You are all to me.

xoxo

2010 Scripture Memory Verse #1

LOVE...

2011 is the year Lincoln and I will celebrate our 10th Anniversary (in July).  We really are a miracle and I don't take it lightly.  This year I want to focus my Scripture Memory verses on us as much as possible.

Love,
Angie