Thankful

Last night was the wrap up of a new experience for me.  One of stretching, stepping out and totally trusting God!  It was the first time that I would stand up before a group of women and lead a bible study (well, facilitate really...it was a DVD based bible study).  I was scared at first none-the-less.  I have learned that God will help you do what you thought you could never do....and I found out so much about myself and many misconceptions and fears were abated in the process! Praise the Lord, for He is GOOD and He is MERCIFUL and POWERFUL!  I'm looking forward to doing it again in January.....who knew?!?!  Well I guess HE did! :D

"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 a hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,
  and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me
  with all your heart.
I will be found by you," declares the Lord.
   Jeremiah 29:11-14

Thank you Daddy, that you know what is good and best for me, that it is often outside of my comfort zone!  I love to see you at work and how I am able to do things I never thought I could with You.  And thank you for surrounding me with amazing and supportive women in the process!

Advent

I love this time of year!  The frost on the trees, beautiful decorations, an overwhelming feeling of anticipation and expectancy.  There are so many fun ways to prepare our hearts for celebrating Christmas.  I love lighting candles on the advent wreath and doing nightly readings with my family, and the Jesse Tree.....the kids love putting the small pictures on the tree and listening to the progression of the greatest birthday ever celebrated.  What is your favorite traditions?  I would love to hear about them!

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
  from his roots a Branch will bear fruit
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -
  the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
  the Spirit of counsel and of power,
  the Spirit of knowledge and of 
  the fear of the LORD
Isaiah 11: 1-2

Thank you Daddy for these wonderful times of preparation and anticipation.  Thank you that our times with you can be enriched by beautiful tradition.  Help me to remain peaceful and focused as we prepare as a family to honor Jesus for all He came to earth to accomplish!

The Little Things

Some days just start off, shall I say, not so great.  But then someone holds a door open for you and your children, another gives you a truly genuine smile and then an email that brings you to tears with it's beauty.  Ya, that was me this morning, I was ready to write off the day....but some wonderful people took the time to be kind, and thoughtful.  They didn't even know that it would impact me so profoundly, but I am thankful for the little things they did!

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
  but heartache crushes the spirit.
Psalm 15:13

Thank you Daddy for the happy hearts you put in my path today!  Please help me to "pay it forward", and be aware of the people that cross my path today, may they be blessed by seeing you in me!

Random Acts of Kindness

It is sometimes really fun and rewarding to get out of yourself, and look around to the needs of others. I was especially blessed by the stories of teens blessing people with their time.  Looking for opportunities to talk with, encourage and help people.  Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  In return God gave them really neat experiences...I'm not going to share them here, because I think that a random act of kindness you could return to a teen is to spend time hearing the stories for yourself! 

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
   and he will reward him for what he has done.
Proverbs 19:17

Thank you Daddy for the teens that I get the privilege of spending time with, and watching them grow in their relationship with you.  May they want more of you as they spend time with me.  Also, help me to remember that poor is not always a financial lack, but it could be one of spiritual or emotional lack as well.

Another Humble Prayer

I am so thankful that there are so many examples of prayers in our bible!  God-breathed, living words that help when I don't know what to say myself!  So for you, and me again....another humble prayer....

  For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
   Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen
    Ephesians 3:14-21

Thank you Daddy for your Word!  This is my prayer, for family, friends, myself, the lost, the least, the broken and the nearly dead.  Make yourself know today!

Rainbow in Winter

Have you ever seem a rainbow in winter?  Well maybe you have, but today was the first time I did and WOW was it awesome.  Waking up to -33 doesn't seem like a promising prospect, but I have discovered there is great beauty in winter!  Are we in such a hurry that we can't seem to see the beauty in different seasons of our lives?  Sometimes it is more than our environment that can be in the season of winter.....we can experience it physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Be still, and know that I am God.
    Psalm 46:10

Thank you Daddy for delighting me this morning with a rainbow in winter, with frost on the trees (my favorite thing about winter), and for showing me that there is so much beauty in winter.  Help me to slow down and help me be aware of the wonderful things you do, how you still work in the winters of my life!

Repentant

I am thankful this morning!  I really got to hear my husband's heart on a few things he has been wrestling with, and he also got to hear mine.  While he was out teaching sunday school last night God revealed to me during a time of prayer; that I have been hard-hearted, prideful and not gentle with him.  I find it so easy to be soft, humble and gentle with other people....and that really brought me to a place of repentance.  When I'm bothered by someone else, it is usually my problem!  I thank God that he has adopted me, and will never leave me or forsake me in my pride and sin.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. 
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given in the One he loves.
  Ephesians 1:4-6

Thank you Daddy that through Jesus I am made righteous, not by anything that I do - but to your glory!  Please help me to walk in grace, humility, gentleness and compassion with those I hold dearest to my heart.

Walking in the Light

Do you ever walk through the day wondering if what you are doing is in line with the word of God?  So many times I've heard people say that they do not follow Jesus, or they do it in their own private way, because of people that say one thing and do another.  Growing in Christ can be messy, as he takes our miseries and turns them into ministries.  I don't ever want to be the person that talks one way and walks another....thereby turning someone away from Christ.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: 
    God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
   1 John 5-7

Daddy, I thank you that today is the day that you have made!  I will rejoice and be glad in it!  I know there are glaring faults and hidden faults that I have; I ask for you to reveal them to me and help me overcome them.  That you may be glorified in my life and people that I meet will want more of you after spending time with me.

Be Still

It seems to me that around this time every year, everything gets kicked into high gear.  This time that ought to be that of slowing down and reflection; morphs into what do I need to buy, where do I need to be and will anyone be happy anyway?  I feel God calling, asking me to slow down, to remember why it was that he left the heavenly realms to spend time on this earth.  Completely God, completely man....

Be still, and know that I am God
  Psalm 46:10

Thank you Daddy, for sending your one and only son....valuing us above yourself.  While we are taking time to prepare for Christmas and the Advent season, help us to slow down and remember why it even exists!

Not Always What I Want to Hear

You know that I truly love having friends in my life that don't always tell me what I want to hear.  And I love that they will gladly receive things (well maybe I shouldn't say gladly....but then again, I didn't say always gladly) that they don't want to hear.  Sometimes what I don't want to hear, is the very thing that pushes me further in my potential; and hearing something I want to hear may hinder what God wants to accomplish in my life.


Wounds from a friend can be trusted, 
  but an enemy multiplies kisses.
    Proverbs 27:6 


Thank you Daddy for good friends, those that care enough to speak truth! 

My Prayer Today...for Me Too!

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is the working of his mighty strength
   Ephesians 1:17-19
 

Unchanging

I just can't get the lyrics of this Chris Tomlin song out of my mind today; maybe it is because this week we spent studying God's faithfulness.  I will share them for you today!

Great is Your faithfulness
Great is Your faithfulness
You never change
You never fail, O God

True are your promises
True are your promises
You never change
You never fail, O God

So we raise up holy hands
To praise the Holy One
Who was and is and is to come

Wide is your love and grace
Wide is your love and grace
You never change
You never fail, O God

You were, You are
You will always be

Thank you Daddy for the fact that there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4).  Please help me to fully walk in the unique gifts that you have blessed me with.  Thank you that you are unchanging and always faithful!

Fighting the Good Fight

After spending time pondering yesterday, and praying for soldiers and families affected by someone involved in a military position, I was reminded that we too are called to fight each day.  We do not all fight physical battles, although some do, in the form of sickness and disease.  But as believes we do fight against powerful thoughts and our battlefield is the mind.  Entertaining these thoughts can often make or break our day, our relationships and our destiny.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.
  2 Timothy 4:6-8

Daddy, like everyday, I need your help to fight the good fight, to keep the faith.  Please help me not to give way to emotion, or thoughts, but to look to you as I continue this race you have laid out for me to run.

Lest We Forget

Today we spend time remembering fallen soldiers and being grateful for those that fighting all around the world.  Fighting for justice and freedom, protecting those that can't protect themselves and putting their lives on the line for others.  I thank God that there are such brave people, that look to the interest of others and the common good more than that of their own. Scripture says we can expect war, but we have hope!

For many will come in my name, claiming,
  ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.  
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, 
  but see to it that you are not alarmed.
Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 
  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes
  in various places. 
Matthew 24:5-7

Thank you Daddy for your Word!  Thank you for warning us that these things MUST happen, so that we are not surprised when they are going on.  Please help me not to be alarmed and to fear not, but BELIEVE ONLY!

His Good Pleasure

I am currently doing a study on the fruit of the Spirit, and I just love what I read this morning.  Like lots of people I have struggled with trying to figure out my purpose; what does God want me to do with my life?
What is our chief purpose? I see it again and again; that His desire and the reason He created us is for His good pleasure.

Therefore my beloved, as you have always
  obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, 
  work our your own salvation with 
fear and trembling;  for it God who works
   in you both to will and to do for 
His good pleasure.
  Phillipians 2:13-13

Thank you Daddy that your mercies are new every day!  Please help me to be very aware of you in all that I do, and may I please you today as I seek you and greater intimacy in our relationship.

Exceedingly Abundantly

I was pondering; what exactly is exceedingly abundantly?  I think that I have such a small view of what abundant even means in God-terms....so exceeding that really just blows my mind.  I sometimes struggle with the tendency of bringing God down to my size.  I have no idea the grandeur of what my God thinks, and the awesomeness of what He really does for us in a day!


Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly 
  abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us, 
   to Him be the glory in the church by
Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.
   Ephesians 3:20-21

I am grateful Daddy that your thoughts are not my thoughts, and that your ways are not my ways.  Please help me to see things differently and to You be all the honor and glory!

Encouraged

I'm so thankful for all the godly influences in my life!  Friends and family that love the Lord, taking time to encourage and pray for each other.  My aunt was telling me about missing the time change (as did I by the way! LOL!) and going to church early to set up.  She painted a beautiful picture for me; of enjoying some quiet time, and watching the sun rise and shine so beautifully through the stained glass windows.  I love when we can have special moments like that, when God will delight us with something so beautiful and intimate!

May the God of hope fill you
 with joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope
  by the power of the Holy Spirit.
     Romans 15:13

Thank you Daddy for taking the time to make special moments to delight your children.  You are good!

Desperate

Have you ever just woke up feeling weary and desperate for God?  Today was my day!  It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a week and think, "I'll make time for God...in a little while....right after I get this done....right after I call this person...".  After visiting with a friend yesterday, I thought about a comment I made to her about not having enough time to spend with God....and I know why I feel desperate!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 
  says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
   to give you a future and a hope.  
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me,
   and I will listen to you.
And you will seek Me and find Me, 
  when you search for Me with all your heart.
   Jeremiah 29:11-13

Thank you Daddy that you will not leave me or forsake me in my sin.  That you always have time for me, even though I have periods where I don't make enough time for you.  I come to you desperate for your presence and encouragement, please forgive me for not putting you first this week.

Birthday Boy!

Today my youngest turns 5!  Wow, time flies....we've already been out for a special breakfast of choice, hot chocolate and donuts!   I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a parent.  The ups and downs, the highs and lows are all worth it.  You think that children are given for you to teach; and then you end up learning some of the hardest and most humbling lessons in the process.

Sons are a heritage form the Lord,
   children a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3

Thank you Daddy for the boys you have entrusted to me.  Please bless my 5 year old today and throughout the year, may grow up to be like David, a man after your own heart!

Family

I am so excited to tell everyone that I am officially an aunty!!!!!
My sister had her sweet little boy Jacob yesterday morning and he is adorable (and that is not just aunty bias!).
I am so excited that she is so close by and I hope I will be able to help her lots in days to come.  Since having children, I really realize that it takes a village to raise a child!

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For He has strengthened the bars
   of your gates;
He has blessed your children
   within you.
He makes peace in your borders,
And fills you with the finest wheat.
    Psalm 147:12-14

Oh thank you Daddy for bringing this beautiful boy into our family.  May little Jacob be a delight to his parents!

Did you get dressed today?

I find it so intriguing when I read verses that tell you to put on stuff!
Like getting dressed at the beginning of the day, God asks us to put on things like the armor of God.
Are you ready for the day, did you put on all you require to serve?
I have to admit, that it took me a couple hours to get dressed today.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 
And over all these virtues put on love, 
   which binds them all together in perfect unity.
      Colossians 3:12-14

Daddy, some days I feel like a toddler that needs help putting on her clothes in the morning!  Please help me to remember to Put On everything I need to walk worthy of a child of the King!

One

Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder! 
In the day to day business and routine of it all I often forget to highly value my husband.  I am thankful for his loyalty, passion and the fact that his strengths are different than mine.  He is a great husband, father and I love watching him grow into the man God intended him to be. 

Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular 
    so love his own wife as himself,
and let the wife see that 
    she respects her husband.

          Ephesians 5:33

Thank you Daddy for giving me a good husband, help me to see that I respect him.  I know this is extremely important to him and to you.  I want to do marriage your way, because your ways are best!