We are readying our home and family for another host trip. We will be hosting through graceadoptionministries.com. I know their name changed to Charis but I cannot find any other reference to their website with the change so there you go. We are hosting three children from Ukraine, one of which was in our home all summer. She has two younger siblings that will be joining her for Christmas. We are so excited. Only 8 more days!
Anyway, some of our friends are in Ukraine now. They are picking up their daughter whom they hosted over the summer. We are so excited for them and cannot wait to see how God continues to work in their lives. I was able to Skype with them this morning. I am following their blog, TheGoodPortion, but seem to be having trouble with comments. So, the main reason for this post is, J & C, if you read this, know that we are praying for you guys, love getting the updates and know that God is so wonderful and He is managing all the details in His perfect time. Cannot wait until NEXT Sunday!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Resolve...
While studying in the book of Daniel, I learned a new word-RESOLVE. I am in awe at Daniel's resolve and how he stood for God, even at the risk of death. I pray that if ever given an opportunity to stand for Christ in that way, that I also have resolve. (Steff and Leah, did you guys ever listen to Mimi and Papa's version of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo??)
Resolve for not filling my mind with things of this earth.
Resolve for not watching things on TV that prompt me to become desensitized.
For example: Pre-marital sex, extra marital sex, murder, cheating, etc.
Resolve for not reading books about things that are not wholesome, true and good.
This is going to prove to be difficult...I am a huge Harry Potter fan, I love a good murder
mystery, Hmmmm...
Resolve for not watching movies that (see TV).
Resolve for not supporting candidates that do not support the Truth of the Bible, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, personal responsibility, limited government, I could go on for DAYS...
Resolve for not talking about people in a slanderous way.
Resolve for believing in God and His Soverignity.
Resolve for believing God's promises and covenants.
Resolve for taking captive every thought and giving it back to my Lord so that He can render it holy. If only...
Okay, I have already found myself figuring out ways to get around reading books! How sad is that???? Even some Christian Fiction has murder in it. UG!
Can I also be real honest?! I feel like that will also label me as a PRUDE. I was labeled that in High School. Can I tell my 10 year old daughter that being labeled prude is the best label ever given to a girl??? Yeah, I'll have to remember that. : )
I want to have fun in life. I want to enjoy what God has provided me. I know that His ways are best and truly for my benefit. He places parameters around us and in us for our own protection.
I am now rambling. I just wanted to share my new word with you 3. And, yes, Leah, you are the magical number 3! : ) Blessings to all!
Resolve for not filling my mind with things of this earth.
Resolve for not watching things on TV that prompt me to become desensitized.
For example: Pre-marital sex, extra marital sex, murder, cheating, etc.
Resolve for not reading books about things that are not wholesome, true and good.
This is going to prove to be difficult...I am a huge Harry Potter fan, I love a good murder
mystery, Hmmmm...
Resolve for not watching movies that (see TV).
Resolve for not supporting candidates that do not support the Truth of the Bible, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, personal responsibility, limited government, I could go on for DAYS...
Resolve for not talking about people in a slanderous way.
Resolve for believing in God and His Soverignity.
Resolve for believing God's promises and covenants.
Resolve for taking captive every thought and giving it back to my Lord so that He can render it holy. If only...
Okay, I have already found myself figuring out ways to get around reading books! How sad is that???? Even some Christian Fiction has murder in it. UG!
Can I also be real honest?! I feel like that will also label me as a PRUDE. I was labeled that in High School. Can I tell my 10 year old daughter that being labeled prude is the best label ever given to a girl??? Yeah, I'll have to remember that. : )
I want to have fun in life. I want to enjoy what God has provided me. I know that His ways are best and truly for my benefit. He places parameters around us and in us for our own protection.
I am now rambling. I just wanted to share my new word with you 3. And, yes, Leah, you are the magical number 3! : ) Blessings to all!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
WHATEVER you want God, I'm in...
2009 has proved to be a great start. My husband has been able to rally enough support that he will be offerred a new position with the new company taking over 3/1. We are thankful! He has also decided to pick up part-time work in the surrounding areas so that he can have a fall back plan in case something should go wrong. Always good to have a 2nd option.
We have shown our house 3 times since listing it. It has been shown twice this week. I cannot decide if I really want to move. I really want a boat load of money to be dropped at my feet, to be very honest. Anyone?? We are trusting God to provide a buyer if our house is supposed to sell and if we are supposed to move. My man told me last night that he feels like God is wanting us to give up something. Maybe it is our home. Maybe it is our lifestyle. I know that God will bring us through and what He has waiting on the other side of this trial is something magical.
There is a certain amount of peace that I have knowing that God is soverign. I am amazed when I read over the things in my prayer journal and see what God has given me over the last few months. It is funny because I thought He was preparing me for the new political season. The words on the pages began to jump out at me while reading through them the other day. Words like gentleness, respect, forgiveness. I have had so many moments (sometimes entire afternoons, evenings) worth of angry, "it's not fair," tirades that I believe God has been placing His word in front of me to help me deal with my emotions and humaness. God is so incredibly good!
Hope all is well with the 3 that read this. I am studying Daniel with CBS (Community Bible Study) and just started Esther with Beth Moore. She makes the bible come alive for me. I am so excited to learn more about God's word. In CBS this fall we studied 1 & 2 Peter. Amazing. Truly, God's word is wonderfully pertinent today. Anyway, Beth Moore's blog is livingproofministries.blogspot.com. It is fabulous to see so many come together in the name of Jesus. Check it out sometime.
We have shown our house 3 times since listing it. It has been shown twice this week. I cannot decide if I really want to move. I really want a boat load of money to be dropped at my feet, to be very honest. Anyone?? We are trusting God to provide a buyer if our house is supposed to sell and if we are supposed to move. My man told me last night that he feels like God is wanting us to give up something. Maybe it is our home. Maybe it is our lifestyle. I know that God will bring us through and what He has waiting on the other side of this trial is something magical.
There is a certain amount of peace that I have knowing that God is soverign. I am amazed when I read over the things in my prayer journal and see what God has given me over the last few months. It is funny because I thought He was preparing me for the new political season. The words on the pages began to jump out at me while reading through them the other day. Words like gentleness, respect, forgiveness. I have had so many moments (sometimes entire afternoons, evenings) worth of angry, "it's not fair," tirades that I believe God has been placing His word in front of me to help me deal with my emotions and humaness. God is so incredibly good!
Hope all is well with the 3 that read this. I am studying Daniel with CBS (Community Bible Study) and just started Esther with Beth Moore. She makes the bible come alive for me. I am so excited to learn more about God's word. In CBS this fall we studied 1 & 2 Peter. Amazing. Truly, God's word is wonderfully pertinent today. Anyway, Beth Moore's blog is livingproofministries.blogspot.com. It is fabulous to see so many come together in the name of Jesus. Check it out sometime.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Topsy-Turvy...
We are having a "I am doing a new thing--(God)" moment at our house. We found out that my husband's job is significantly changing as of 3/1/09 two weeks ago today. It seems surreal at this moment. Yesterday I was full of anger and wanted to lash out at everybody. Today is better. Today is much better.
We have decided to sell our house. The sign went up last Thursday. We have decided to trust God with the details of the future. My stud muffin has had this job for 20 years. Never did we imagine that it could or would be changed or taken away as it has. I know that many people are suffering this same fate right now. I am amazed at the resiliency of people. I am amazed at my children. They have been absolutely fabulous. I have a new found understanding of the important people in my life. I have a new appreciation for many things that I have taken for granted--my family, our kid's school, our church, my friends, my home, what we thought was our security.
So, as we wait, I am hopeful that I will recognize what I have all around me and be STILL.
So do not throw away your confidence it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35...
We have decided to sell our house. The sign went up last Thursday. We have decided to trust God with the details of the future. My stud muffin has had this job for 20 years. Never did we imagine that it could or would be changed or taken away as it has. I know that many people are suffering this same fate right now. I am amazed at the resiliency of people. I am amazed at my children. They have been absolutely fabulous. I have a new found understanding of the important people in my life. I have a new appreciation for many things that I have taken for granted--my family, our kid's school, our church, my friends, my home, what we thought was our security.
So, as we wait, I am hopeful that I will recognize what I have all around me and be STILL.
So do not throw away your confidence it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I'm Afraid to Admit...but I've been tagged...
I was tagged by my dear cousin a few weeks ago. I have never been tagged before and, while I thoroughly enjoy reading other "tagged" responses, I become overwhelmed with indecision and fear of being judged when I have been asked to respond. I guess that could be #1 on feelings...Anyway, here goes.
Category 1 Feelings
1. I have a fear of being judged and not liked when I speak my heart.
2. I am often lonely. (Note to self...perhaps that has to do with being afraid; see #1)
3. Sometimes I feel God's presence and am overwhelmed with emotion.
Category 2 Physical Characteristics
1. After having a hysterectomy 3 years ago, I have love handles and hips that I did not have before.
2. I like my toes, especially when they are painted.
3. I long for beautiful fingernails and bigger breasts at times. I will not do anything about either though. I tried fake nails and thought they were too much trouble to keep up. I won't subject my "self", body or family to plastic surgery.
Category 3 Weird things
1. I am persnickity about how the dishwasher is loaded and will re-load if someone else loaded it "for" me. I am getting better because I need the help and my husband has learned to start the dishwasher before I see how it is loaded.
2. I am a political junkie. I am trying to wean myself at this time.
3. I am also a real estate junkie. I love looking at things for sale. I wonder if this is why I loved Monopoly when I was a kid.
Category 4 Past
1. I feel like I wasted my high school and college years living for the world instead of living for God.
2. I have been arrested for trespassing. All charges were dropped. Quite a ridiculous antic over a "boy!"
3. I missed most of my high school senior English and Economics classes because I felt like it and forged my father's signature. I have come clean with my dad and my children are vaguely aware of this.
**Every day is a gift and yesterday is my past. Today is new and yesterday is GONE! Woohoo! Hence, make it count TODAY!**
Category 5 Misc.
1. I am 40 years old and I love being "mature." I feel like I finally know what my values are and feel confident enough to stand by them. I don't succumb to peer pressure as much as I used to.
2. I am forgiven and loved by the One.
3. My family ROCKS and I love spending time with them.
Category 1 Feelings
1. I have a fear of being judged and not liked when I speak my heart.
2. I am often lonely. (Note to self...perhaps that has to do with being afraid; see #1)
3. Sometimes I feel God's presence and am overwhelmed with emotion.
Category 2 Physical Characteristics
1. After having a hysterectomy 3 years ago, I have love handles and hips that I did not have before.
2. I like my toes, especially when they are painted.
3. I long for beautiful fingernails and bigger breasts at times. I will not do anything about either though. I tried fake nails and thought they were too much trouble to keep up. I won't subject my "self", body or family to plastic surgery.
Category 3 Weird things
1. I am persnickity about how the dishwasher is loaded and will re-load if someone else loaded it "for" me. I am getting better because I need the help and my husband has learned to start the dishwasher before I see how it is loaded.
2. I am a political junkie. I am trying to wean myself at this time.
3. I am also a real estate junkie. I love looking at things for sale. I wonder if this is why I loved Monopoly when I was a kid.
Category 4 Past
1. I feel like I wasted my high school and college years living for the world instead of living for God.
2. I have been arrested for trespassing. All charges were dropped. Quite a ridiculous antic over a "boy!"
3. I missed most of my high school senior English and Economics classes because I felt like it and forged my father's signature. I have come clean with my dad and my children are vaguely aware of this.
**Every day is a gift and yesterday is my past. Today is new and yesterday is GONE! Woohoo! Hence, make it count TODAY!**
Category 5 Misc.
1. I am 40 years old and I love being "mature." I feel like I finally know what my values are and feel confident enough to stand by them. I don't succumb to peer pressure as much as I used to.
2. I am forgiven and loved by the One.
3. My family ROCKS and I love spending time with them.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
What is our "agenda"....
I have been reading around the internet the last few days about the election results and I have, quite honestly, been pretty bummed out. I have been thinking about our "agenda," meaning the Republican agenda, and how we need to regroup, seek out up and coming leaders, etc. I have been in and out of prayer, probably not as I should, but as I went along on my "own" business for the day. Today I was back in 1 Peter.
My conclusion, not from me, but from the Lord, is that our "agenda" does not reside in our political party. Our "agenda" lies in the Word of our Lord and Savior.
LOVE: Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.
FEED MY SHEEP: John 21:17 Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."
LOOK AFTER ORPHANS AND WIDOWS: James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
LISTEN AND DO: James 1:19 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
PRAY: 2 Chronicles 14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Thank You God, Almightly, Creator of Heaven and Earth for Your continued Sovereignty and Grace. Thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice for me. Thank You for answered prayers and for never letting me go. I pray that many will be healed through the next four years. That many will have hope that they have never had before. I pray for the revival of the United States and for our world to come together in His name.
The USA is not the country or the "one" to look to for worldwide "leadership." God wants us to look to Him. That message came to me so clearly this afternoon. Yes, as Christians in this country, we need to set an example and live as Christ did. We need to lead people to Him though, not to the USA.
May God bless us and the USA. May we, as Christians, be all that He has called us to be and remember He is ALWAYS in control.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
My hope is in the Lord...
1 Peter 2: 13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are snet by him to punish those who do wrong and to comment those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
2: 1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.
1: 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
2: 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
I am currently in a Community Bible Study ( CBS) that has been studying 1 & 2 Peter this fall. I find all of this information so incredibly pertinent to today.
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are snet by him to punish those who do wrong and to comment those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
2: 1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.
1: 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
2: 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
I am currently in a Community Bible Study ( CBS) that has been studying 1 & 2 Peter this fall. I find all of this information so incredibly pertinent to today.
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