It's been a long, long time

Well, I managed to get behind in my blogging again...seems rather typical. : ) However, I have a good reason. Since I've announced my pregnancy, I've been rather sick. It seems like I've had it all! Along with all of that, I haven't much energy to do much of anything, let alone talk on the phone or type on the computer.

This pregnancy has been quite a journey. I've experienced happiness, sadness, frustration, depression, loneliness, joy and a myriad of other emotions. It's been a time when I've had to totally depend on others and depend on Christ. It's not easy for me to ask for help...I would rather not ask. But through this experience so far, I've realized that when I need help, I need to ask. There are people in my life more than willing to lend a hand. It's true of my heavenly Father. He is there no matter what...and He wants me to go to Him for help. Even though He already knows my needs, He wants to hear it from me. Of course it's easy to go to God in times when there is pain and suffering and ask for healing and for things to be restored but He wants to hear from me as a friend, a child...I've had so many good conversations with my parents during this process and I think, "do I talk to God the same way?" God wants that from me and I need to remember that He is interested in every part of my day, every part of my pregnancy, every part of my life.

I hope that encourages you too...do you speak to your heavenly Father in the same way each day? Meaning you say the same words or pray for similar things? Or do you just talk to Him like you would your best friend or parent? My most meaningful prayer times are those not when I'm closing my eyes, but when I'm sitting, driving, cleaning, etc and just talking out loud in a conversational tone like I would do with someone that is right there with me.

have you had your devotions today?

The past couple of days I’ve really been thinking about my grandparents. I didn’t know my mother’s parents well but I was blessed with knowing my father’s parents. They lived not too far from where we lived. We actually could ride bikes to their house!

All of my grandparents have passed on but they have left behind an amazing godly heritage. I am so thankful for the Christian values that my grandparents instilled in my parents and my parents in me. We called my dad’s parents, Nan & Pop.

I want to take some time and write down some memories I have with Nan & Pop.

I remember as a child going over to their house and sitting on Nana’s lap. Even as I grew she would want me to sit on her lap. I told her I would break her (because she was the tiniest thing) but she insisted even as a teen to sit on her lap.

I remember when my parents went away on a trip, I stayed at Nan & Pop’s. I actually think I had pneumonia or some other ailment during that time. They always took such great care of me.

I remember the organ that sat in their back room. This was the organ my dad played in church. I would go back there, turn it on and play. Also in that back room we did a lot of reading…Nan had those wonderful Bible story books…they were Arch story books. We would sit and read together and one of the highlights was getting recorded on the tape recorder! As a child I loved hearing myself or others on tape. What technology!

Another memory I have are playing games…Pop loved Chinese checkers and Tri-Ominos. We had a blast playing those games. They also had a Bugs Bunny puzzle that I loved to put together…I actually still have it!

Often times I would eat at Nan & Pop’s. Nan would make pot roasts and potatoes and served salad with her homemade 1,000 island dressing. I would help her set the table.

Pop was a great gardener. I loved smelling all the magnificent roses that Pop grew.

These are some wonderful memories and I’m so thankful I can still remember them but there is one thing that I remember most about my grandparents….they were amazing godly people. They were faithful in church, faithful in prayer, faithful to each other, faithful to their family, faithful to God.

There is one thing that Pop used to do every time he saw me and I know he asked it of other family members as well. He would ask, “Did you have your devotions today?” I can’t tell you how many times as a teenager I would make some response up. I think I did that because I didn’t want to disappoint him but at the same time why lie about something like that? We are all human and we all have days when we don’t spend time with the Lord. We should strive for that daily relationship continually. It wasn’t until later, as I matured, that I really appreciated Pop asking that question and to this day I really miss hearing it. I think Nan & Pop would be pleased to see where I am with the Lord today. I can’t wait to see Nan & Pop again when we are reunited in heaven, praise the Lord! I just can’t wait to tell Pop how much I appreciated him asking that question of me and how much it has influenced my daily walk with the Lord.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

I Asked God

I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessing; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said…Finally you have the idea.

I received this reading in an email. Click here for the link.

God's Answers to Prayer

Dear Lord, help me understand, as I kneel to pray,
That You, indeed, will answer it, though there are several ways.
The first, of course, is obvious, the one we most like to receive.
If everyone got a "yes" to their prayers, it would be easy to believe.

But, Father, there are two more ways You may handle my appeal.
So, please don't let Your denial dampen my spiritual zeal.
For You alone can see beyond the benefits I ask for,
So help me take "no" for an answer, when You decide to shut the door.

And don't let me forget the third way You may answer my request,
Because You know exactly the time that it would benefit me best.
You see, the hardest answer of them all, develops true virtue -
For we develop patience, Lord, when we learn to wait on
You.

By: Beth Fisher

having a heart to heart

One of my favorite times of the day is when I have a heart to heart talk with God. It may be in the car on the way to work, while I'm taking a morning walk, while I'm getting ready for the day or even when I'm swimming in the pool. I talk (outloud) to God like He is right there with me as I'm doing these various activities. It is such a sweet time for me and my heavenly Father. We have such power in prayer. I wish we really realized that. We have such power in the name of Jesus. I believe when we pray "in name of Jesus" that satan shudders. There is a quote from The Kneeling Christian that says, "Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray." Prayer is our biggest defense against satan and his attacks.
We have the power on our side. Why don't we take hold of it and use it? One of my favorite songs is "In the Name of the Lord". An excerpt from the lyrics read:

When My Plans Have Fallen Through
And When My Strength Is Nearly Gone
When There's Nothing Left To Do But Just Depend On You
And The Power Of Your Name

And When We Call Upon Your Name
Your Strength Through Weakness To Show
We Can Know The Master Plan Extend The Masters Hand
When We Come In The Name Of The Lord

There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord
Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord

Check out the song as sung by Sandi Patty. I hope it will impress upon you the power, the strength and the hope we do have in Jesus Christ our Lord!

And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
Matthew 21:22

Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.
Mark 11:24

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philip. 4:6

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1

thank you

I received this in an email the other day and thought it was too good not to pass along.

DEAR GOD:

I want to Thank You for what you have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has
caused me pain or grief;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed;
I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better!

I'm thanking you because, FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me!

what do i really need?

My Pastor challenged us last week in staff meeting with John 16:24- Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

When I talk to God, what am I asking Him for? What are my requests made up of? Am I seeking His will or just giving Him my wish list? Am I asking Him for my joy to be complete? It's challenging. Here are some other versions of this verse.

"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!"~MSG

"You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy."~NLT

"You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so that you will be completely happy."~CEV

God wants us to be happy and to be filled with the joy only He can give. My focus needs to change from what I want to what He wants. Then my joy will be complete.

obedience

The story is told that when Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa, a group of friends sent a letter saying, "We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?” Apparently, Dr. Livingstone sent this message in reply: "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."

I wonder if God thinks this about us sometimes. I wonder if He ever calls us to obedience without showing us the path we will travel, or the end result, just to see what we will do. Kind of like a test. Will we obey without a road map?

And I often wonder why following God isn’t easier. There are days when I feel tired of getting called out of my comfort zone to obey God.

Maybe there is something within us that is revealed when we are pressured from without. Maybe the call to obey shines light on the truth about our faith. I know that in order to grow, faith must be stretched, and that’s often uncomfortable.
You see, I have not learned to trust God in the easy ways of faith. I have not learned to trust God by reading a book or listening to a great sermon. Nor have I learned to trust God by hearing how my friend trusts God. No, I am learning to trust God by stepping out into an adventure of obedience and discovering for myself that He is trustworthy.

Obeying when God hasn’t revealed the steps along the way or the final destination is challenging. But when we choose to walk by faith and not by sight, God gets all the glory in the end because we KNOW we couldn’t have done it on our own!

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for being completely trustworthy. Thank You for having my best interest at heart, even when the path to obedience seems scary. Help me to take the next step of faith, even when I don’t see where I’m going. I will choose to trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

By: Glynnis Whitwer
www.proverbs31.org

walking with God today

this morning i went for my walk as i usually do. i was listening to my ipod and thinking on the words of the songs. as i walked and listened, i talked to God. thanking Him, praising Him, asking Him...as i made my turn to walk home there was a rather upbeat song on...it had a great message. i was listening to this song and praying and found it hard to focus because part of me was listening to the words of the song. the song finally changed and i heard the first line of the next song. it hit me. "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD". wow. here i was thinking i was doing great by listening to my praise songs and talking to God at the same time but really what God wanted me to do was slow down, be quiet and listen to Him. how can i possibly hear God's voice when i've got my head phones on? i know He can speak through music and music is a form of worship but there is a time when we just need to be still...

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

Be quiet and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 NLV

Our God says, "Calm down, and learn that I am God!" Psalm 46:10 CEV

Cease striving and know that I am God Psalm 46:10 NASB

is prayer your steering wheel or spare tire?

"When we pray, it is far more important to pray with a sense of the greatness of God than with a sense of the greatness of the problem."

--Evangeline Blood

Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God. --Andrew Murray

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go.

-- Abraham Lincoln


Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan

--John Bunyan


Is the Son of God praying in me, or am I dictating to Him?....Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He will press forward in front of our common sense and change our attitude to the things about which we pray.

--Oswald Chambers


How often have we prayed something like, "O Lord, be with cousin Billy now in a special way"? Have we stopped to consider what it is we're requesting? Imagine that you are a parent who is preparing to leave your children with a babysitter. Would you dream of saying, "O Betsy, I ask you now that you would be with my children in a special way?" No way. You would say, "Betsy, the kids need to be in bed by 9 pm. They can have one snack before their baths, and please make sure they finish their homework. You can reach us at this number if there's any problem. Any questions before we go?" We are very specific with our requests and instructions for our babysitters. We want them to know specifics. It should be no different with prayer.

--David Jeremiah


When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy.

--Corrie Ten Boom


In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.

-- John Bunyan


"Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure."

--D.L. Moody


The devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift up our hearts to God.

-- Jim Cymbala


Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.

-- The Kneeling Christian