Sunday, January 13, 2013
Power in prayer
Before ever meeting my husband I prayed for him, in specific ways. After meeting & getting married I learned how God had answered my prayers through several different events in his life. In remembering the power in these prayers we started praying for our children's future spouses. There is far more to prayer & giving thanks both daily & specifically than we realize. Digging deeper is key to strengthening our prayer lives.
communication
Prayer.
Relationship with the Creator.
Communication with HIM.
It changes circumstances, paths, people, & me.
I can literally no nothing without God-- not even breathe. but there are so many more levels to this scriptural truth.
Being directed by God, changed by HIM, pruned by HIM, disciplined by HIM, utterly LOVED by HIM, cherished by HIM, led by HIM, helped by HIM, healed by HIM, provided for by HIM, protected by HIM, given life by HIM, redeemed by HIM>>> in heart, mind, & soul>>> is everything. He longs to be our everything, if we'll just communicate with Him, we can start letting Him be our everything.
I'm Learning how to have a richer prayer life. Thankful for mentors like Elizabeth George, who wrote "A Woman After God's Own Heart" who uses scripture after scripture in her writing to further direct us to God.
Relationship with the Creator.
Communication with HIM.
It changes circumstances, paths, people, & me.
I can literally no nothing without God-- not even breathe. but there are so many more levels to this scriptural truth.
Being directed by God, changed by HIM, pruned by HIM, disciplined by HIM, utterly LOVED by HIM, cherished by HIM, led by HIM, helped by HIM, healed by HIM, provided for by HIM, protected by HIM, given life by HIM, redeemed by HIM>>> in heart, mind, & soul>>> is everything. He longs to be our everything, if we'll just communicate with Him, we can start letting Him be our everything.
I'm Learning how to have a richer prayer life. Thankful for mentors like Elizabeth George, who wrote "A Woman After God's Own Heart" who uses scripture after scripture in her writing to further direct us to God.
Friday, January 11, 2013
follow up to yesterday's post...
To follow up on yesterday's post. I was seriously freaking out last night. Today's appointment wasn't nearly as bad as the appointment before, when we were in the Dr Room for 1 1/2 hrs with a constantly screaming toddler, etc... but today all 4 children did have to be restrained for shots. It was sad. I was very thankful that Scott was there and that he offered to be there!! Thank You, Lord!! After the first had her shots, everyone cried until it was over. Then we did a drive-thru lunch & Target where everyone got a toy (yes, I realize that bribing your kids is wrong, but...) ... + a couple of errands. Amelia broke down in Target. When we got home everyone was getting along and happily playing; I snuck away to take a shower & when I went to check on them after, they were still getting along and happily playing. Madelyn said, "welllll, they were fighting for a minute." But hey they worked it out with out me!!
The stressful parts of the day I did have to keep praying, breathing, and not taking the weight on my shoulders/ upper back (where I tend to start hurting during stress). God kept me. He did it! He gave me rest & sent my husband with me to help buffer the Dr. madness.
Today, He also pried some fear out of my hands and helped me to simply walk in obedience without freaking out. I felt really good.
Deuteronomy 31:8
"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
truth.
The stressful parts of the day I did have to keep praying, breathing, and not taking the weight on my shoulders/ upper back (where I tend to start hurting during stress). God kept me. He did it! He gave me rest & sent my husband with me to help buffer the Dr. madness.
Today, He also pried some fear out of my hands and helped me to simply walk in obedience without freaking out. I felt really good.
Deuteronomy 31:8
"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
truth.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
tomorrow will be a hectic day!! LORD HELP me!!
Tomorrow...
I can already feel the stress starting to mount as Madelyn bursts into tears-- wailing. No. Tomorrow, I believe the real wailing will begin and I'm tempted not to make her. Bribe her to get a flu shot along with her other siblings (2 of which already had a flu shot but have to go back to finish the catch up on vaccines). In the past few years when we didn't get the shot, we did get the flu.
Shots for FOUR children.
Lunch. IN public. with Four young children-- who just got shots, because our house is 40 minutes away from our pediatrician.
Possible fevers after.
A trip to Target or Toys R' Us to satisfy the bribe so they'll bravely-- though screaming-- take the shots.
Home. briefly.
And off alone to a new God-led adventure for the evening.
Bed.
I already want to sleep after tomorrow's day.
I already feel the weight of the children's tears during our pediatrician visit and weariness afterwards.
Already.
And THIS... this anxiety is why prayer is so important, giving it all over to God, for it is HE who wants our responsibility for our lives. My hands off my life and HIS hands gently holding it, protecting it, redeeming it. When I throw off my anxiety for the day onto HIM, just as He asks us to do, He promises to give me rest!! Rest in the midst of a stressful day? Peace that passes understanding? I'll take it, gladly... and first... I will throw--as hard as I can-- my anxiety for today onto Him. And I'll do it again the next day. Forming a daily habit of casting all my cares on Him for He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7)!! <3
I can already feel the stress starting to mount as Madelyn bursts into tears-- wailing. No. Tomorrow, I believe the real wailing will begin and I'm tempted not to make her. Bribe her to get a flu shot along with her other siblings (2 of which already had a flu shot but have to go back to finish the catch up on vaccines). In the past few years when we didn't get the shot, we did get the flu.
Shots for FOUR children.
Lunch. IN public. with Four young children-- who just got shots, because our house is 40 minutes away from our pediatrician.
Possible fevers after.
A trip to Target or Toys R' Us to satisfy the bribe so they'll bravely-- though screaming-- take the shots.
Home. briefly.
And off alone to a new God-led adventure for the evening.
Bed.
I already want to sleep after tomorrow's day.
I already feel the weight of the children's tears during our pediatrician visit and weariness afterwards.
Already.
And THIS... this anxiety is why prayer is so important, giving it all over to God, for it is HE who wants our responsibility for our lives. My hands off my life and HIS hands gently holding it, protecting it, redeeming it. When I throw off my anxiety for the day onto HIM, just as He asks us to do, He promises to give me rest!! Rest in the midst of a stressful day? Peace that passes understanding? I'll take it, gladly... and first... I will throw--as hard as I can-- my anxiety for today onto Him. And I'll do it again the next day. Forming a daily habit of casting all my cares on Him for He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7)!! <3
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
living closer to Him.
The point of the sermon on the Mount? (you can read it in yesterday's post).
A.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. that catapults us to recognizing our true desperation for God... becomes a blessing.
It all has purpose. It all works us closer to Him. Living in eternity with Him. Living comforted by Him. Living as heirs to the earth. Living righteous. Living receiving His compassion. Living, seeing God. Living as a son/ daughter of God.
The first parts of these blessings are painful, but God promises these blessings for those who seek Him. What an encouragement. For these blessings are more pure than any human could ever completely give.
A.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. that catapults us to recognizing our true desperation for God... becomes a blessing.
It all has purpose. It all works us closer to Him. Living in eternity with Him. Living comforted by Him. Living as heirs to the earth. Living righteous. Living receiving His compassion. Living, seeing God. Living as a son/ daughter of God.
The first parts of these blessings are painful, but God promises these blessings for those who seek Him. What an encouragement. For these blessings are more pure than any human could ever completely give.
Monday, January 7, 2013
want a blessing?
What does blessing really look like? According to Jesus the start to receiving it can feel quite emotionally painful, but great blessing and joy is on the other side of each thing, as long as we are burying ourselves in relationship with Him. A pure relationship, unhindered... that's where the blessing resides.
The Message is a paraphrased version of the Bible and just for a modern day glimpse of what this scripture could be saying, here it is:
The Message is a paraphrased version of the Bible and just for a modern day glimpse of what this scripture could be saying, here it is:
You’re Blessed
Matthew 5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Just in case you're not familiar with a more word for word translation from the original text, here's that according to the New American Standard which accrording to Dr. Howard Hendrix a brilliant teacher from Dallas Theological Seminary (& once Liberty University) is the most accurate translation:
The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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