Day 19 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)

Father, right now this is a huge prayer request I have for Steve. You know the challenge he is facing and the desires of his heart. Please help him develop the patience You desire for him and help him to control his responses in a manner that pleases You.

Thoughts in Prayer Time

I came home from work earlier this afternoon with a headache. I headed to bed to try to sleep it off and as I prayed before falling asleep (I never did go to sleep) I kept coming back to this thought..."What a privelege to pray to God and know He hears me. Who am I that He would do this for me? I did nothing to deserve it my salvation and access to Him in prayer - it's all a gift of unmerited favor - grace."

Trying to wrap your head around grace and having access to the Most High God in prayer will humble you.

I really thought about it this afternoon. Really.

Paul reminds us in Romans 3:10, "There is no one righteous, not even one." We're told by Paul in Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—".

What is this grace? It's unmerited favor, given by God to us through His Son Jesus' death on the cross for our sins! For *my* sins. He didn't have to do this. Going back to the Bible, Paul says in Romans 5:7, "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die." So, I'm not righteous on my own, I already know that. Not even good. Yeah, I try to be, but really. I was born with the virus of sin in my body just like every other person on earth except for Jesus.

The key to understanding grace is this:

Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Why?

Oh, friend. You know the verse. We all memorized it in Sunday School and got our gold stars for it, right? (Well, I did. Momma made sure we were in church. She sang of His love to me before my memories begin, and because of her, I never remember "not knowing Jesus." It was later that I came to know Him through salvation, yes, but that's a story for another time.) Back to the verse...John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

How humbling is that? How *humbling* is that? He loved us enough to send His Son as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins!

Trying to wrap my mind around God's grace, that precious precious gift is just drives my heart to feel like it's going to explode with love and amazement. Why me? Because He loved me. Why not someone more righteous than I? Because no one is righteous. Not one. Can't earn my way into God's favor, it's only by grace.

It floods my heart with indescribable joy to realize that it is because God first loved me that He made a provision for me to spend forever with Him and have access to Him in prayer.

Praising my Savior never seemed so easy.

I was so excited to read about this in my original post (scroll down to view). I have actually thought about this several times since I read it. This morning my bubble was burst.

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/91536

The Not-So-Lost Tribeby Mike Krumboltz
June 23, 2008 06:09:40 PM

Even in an age when cynical sleuths can hyper-analyze stories for truth and accuracy, the occasional hoax still slips through the cracks.

Such was the case with a so-called "lost Amazon tribe."

A few months ago, mainstream news outlets (including, ahem, Yahoo!) reported that a photographer had found a lost tribe of warriors near the Brazilian-Peruvian border. Photos of the tribe backed up his claim.

As it turns out, the story is only half true. The men in the photo are members of a tribe, but it certainly ain't "lost." In fact, as the photographer, José Carlos Meirelles, recently explained, authorities have known about this particular tribe since 1910. The photographer and the agency that released the pictures wanted to make it seem like they were members of a lost tribe in order to call attention to the dangers the logging industry may have on the group.

The photographer recently came clean, and news outlets, perhaps embarrassed at having been taken for a ride, have been slow to pick up the story. Now, the word is starting to spread and articles in the Buzz are picking up steam. Expect a lot more brutal truth in the coming days.

________________________________________________________

original post...

Brazil Discovers Uncontacted Indian Tribe in Amazon Jungle

Look at this! I was so excited to hear this, yet my heart went out to these people. Can you imagine never having contact with the outside world and now this machine with blades spinning around hovering in the air is staring at you? What must have gone through their minds? They have arrows ready. They must have thought they were under attack. Notice the different color paints they are wearing. I wonder what they represent? I find it interesting that one is painted black. I wonder if he/she is like their medicine man or tribal leader or what?

I wonder what their worship habits are? Do they know Jesus? How could they if no one has contacted them? Would they be receptive to it? How would you break the language barrier?

~ begin article ~

From foxnews.com - http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,360361,00.html

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — One of Brazil's last uncontacted Indian tribes has been spotted in the far western Amazon jungle near the Peruvian border, the National Indian Foundation said Thursday.

• Click here to view photos.

The Indians were sighted in an Ethno-Environmental Protected Area along the Envira River in flights over remote Acre state, said the Brazilian government foundation, known as Funai.

Funai said it photographed "strong and healthy" warriors, six huts and a large planted area. But it was not known to which tribe they belonged, the group said.

"Four distinct isolated peoples exist in this region, whom we have accompanied for 20 years," Funai expert Jose Carlos Meirelles Junior said in a statement.

The tribe sighted recently is one of the last not to be contacted by officials. Funai does not make contact with such Indian tribes and prevents invasions of their land to ensure their autonomy, the foundation said.

Survival International said the Indians are in danger from illegal logging in Peru, which is driving tribes over the border and could lead to conflict with the estimated 500 uncontacted Indians now living on the Brazilian side.

There are more than 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, most of them in Brazil and Peru, the group said in a statement.

"These pictures are further evidence that uncontacted tribes really do exist," Survival director Stephen Corry said.

"The world needs to wake up to this, and ensure that their territory is protected in accordance with international law. Otherwise, they will soon be made extinct."

~end article ~

Day 18 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)

Father, this is my prayer for Steve today. Help him to truly realize that the things of this earth that bother him are temporary and don't matter in Your grand scheme of things. You know his heart and what he's dealing with especially today. Help him to put You first and calm his heart.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 - 18 reads:

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Thank You, my precious Lord and Savior, for fulfilling so much prophecy as of late and making me aware of so many of the signs of the times that I believe Your return will be in my generation.

Thank you for the assurance, God, that unless I have been taken by accident or disease before You return I have the faith and confidence that I will meet You in the air and be with You forever in Heaven. I cannot wait to come home to Heaven and praise You for all eternity!

Hearing sermons or reading things about this day used to terrify me, mainly because I was young and unsaved, but also because it usually included the part about Armageddon. When I hear about it or read about it now, it puts a spring in my step and a song in my heart and the dread of old and sense of impending doom is but a distant memory.

I am so thankful that my feelings on the Rapture and later the Second Coming of Christ (I am a pre-trib Rapture believer) have changed.

I rejoice and thank God for this.

Are you ready for Christ to return? Are you absolutely sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will spend eternity with Him in Heaven? Click here if you want to know more...

Day 17 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)

Father, I pray for all aspects of Steve's life as a strong man of Yours. I pray that his strength in every area mentioned above would excel and he would honor You in these areas of his life.

Luke 19:37-40 (New International Version)

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Father, may a stone never have to cry out to You in praise out of my own neglect.

I will praise You

In times of joy and times of sadness

In times of tears and times of gladness

In times of sun and times of rain

In times of laughter and times of pain

In times of darkness and times of light

In times of day and times of night

I will praise You

Day 16 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)

My dear and gracious Father, please be with Steve in this area. I pray he would yield to Your control and walk in the freedom You desire for him. Help him to fully rely on You, leaning on You as he walks with You daily.

Thanks, Amy, for hosting this wonderful meme!

"If you'll live like no one else, then later you can live
like no one else." ~Dave Ramsey ~

Home is where the heart is.

Matthe 6:19-21 guides us: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I usually stop reading there when I think of that verse. But let's go further.

vv. 22-24 instructs us: "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

My heart is in Heaven, but my eyes here on earth get greedy sometimes. Trying to live like everyone else is not to be my goal! I say I don't, but I do find myself "keeping up with the Jones'."

"I just have to have *that* book someone mentions. I just have to buy *those* clothes so I'll look nice at work. I just have to have *this* 3 bedroom 2 bath house with a big back yard. (Okay, so actually the FIL wanted us to have *that* house.) I just have to have this, that and the other. "

What I really need is my treasure in Heaven and to look up instead of looking around me.

When my eyes are focused on God, I'm not swimming in insurmountable debt. When my eyes are focused on God, it doesn't matter what I'm wearing, what I'm reading, where I'm living, etc.

When my eyes are focused on God, I clip coupons, I cook instead of go out to eat, I visit with family instead of going out for entertainment, I focus more on reading my Bible than I do the latest good read.

Does this mean I'm to want nothing on this earth? No, it means that I'm to want God more than I want things that lead to debt or anything that takes my focus off loving Him and storing up eternal treasures. Everything on earth is going to remain here on earth. I sure can't take it with me! Bye-bye, Jones's. Nice knowing ya!

I don't know the context of the quote, but what Dave Ramsey said is true. Living like no one else now is going to help me live like no one else in the future. The eternal riches of Heaven far outweigh the material and temporary riches of earth.

Day 15 - List at Revive Our Hearts



Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)



Father, I ask You to direct Steve in choosing his friends. Give him the wisdom to know with whom he should be close and with whom he shouldn't. Help him be continued to be surrounded men who encourage accountability before You and who are leading him in the right direction rather than the wrong one.

Day 14 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)

Father, please guide Steve in the words that he speaks. Help him to replace any unclean language with language that glorifies You and to speak words of love and encouragement.

Day 13 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)

Father, I pray that You would help Steve to use the practical skills and wisdom you have given him as he makes decisions in the direction our family is headed. I pray also that he will serve You unselfishly and without hesitation.

Day 12 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Due to today's mature theme dealing with intimacy, I'll encourage you to use the link above. :)

Yesterday's Bible trivia in a yahoo group I'm in was taken from Philipians 4:11-12. Paul writes, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Was Paul some kind of superhero that he could do this? Did he just have such a reign on his emotions that he found it easy to be so even-keeled?

What challenges do you face in remaining content? How do you remain content in joy and in times of trouble? What's the secret? Who's the secret? Is it us or Jesus? How do you define contentment? Is it a feeling or a state of being? Is it based on the state of your heart and mind or is it based on where your heart is focused?

Paul was far from a superhero. He was human, merely a mortal, just like the rest of us. I believe that as a man he was probably more level-headed (read hormonally free) from acting on emotions, as I know I am prone to do as a woman. Paul faced some majors ups and major downs in his life as an apostle of Christ. If asked, I doubt he would say it was easy to remain so even-keeled. In fact, throughout his letters he showed us that he did indeed have a temper. He did become down. He was beaten and imprisoned for Christ. He was bitten by a snake! He was sick with fever. He sewed tents for a living. His duties weren't preaching 3 sermons a week and feeding one flock. He shephereded many and traveled extensively to do so.

I face many challenges in remaining content, but like the apostle Paul, I have Jesus on my side. Whether I am high on the mountaintop or in the throws of depression, I am content, or rather, I should say that I have the potential to become content.

To me it's all about Jesus. Looking up when I am feeling down. Looking up when I'm feeling up. Looking within to my heart where He dwells.

It's easy to be content when times are good, but truth be told, it's hard to be content all the time. I do believe there are some things we can do that can help us *learn* to be content. During the tough times we can:

Breathe. Psalm 39:5 reminds us, " You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah" Sometimes we just forget to breathe. Taking a deep breath re-fills our lungs and sends oxygen to our brains, clearing our thoughts, reminding us that God has us in His hands.

Focus. Isaiah 26:3 directs us, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Focusing on Christ as the source of our contentment can help us find peace during the hardest of times.

Pray. Psalm 17:6 guides us, "I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer." God is faithful to hear our prayers. Just knowing He is listening is very comforting. Think back to a time when God has answered your prayer and remember His faithfulness.

Relase. 1 Peter 5:7 instructs us, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Literally casting our anxiety on Christ, we can find true contentment. The key to this is not taking that anxiety back. Leave it with Jesus, who is far better equipped to deal with it than we are.

No matter what our circumstances are, let's learn with the apostle Paul to be content whatever the situation. Let's take a stand and decide today that we will no longer let anxiety or emotion keep us in the pit. Let's rest in the knowledge that with God on our side, the victory is won and there is hope for a better tomorrow.

Day 11 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)

Father God, I pray for Steve's heard and spirit today. May he be humble and teachable before You. May he use the heart You have given him to listen to You, desire to do Your will and serve You in the best way possible.

What a mighty God we serve! My uncle was released from the hospital two days after brain surgery. He gives God the glory for answering the prayers, many many prayers, that have gone up on his behalf. He is recovering nicely and the doctor said that since there is so much staph in the hospital it's just better for him to continue his recovery at home.

Please join me in praying that he grows stronger each day and that God leads the oncologist in prescribing the right treatment for him to recovery fully and permanently from melanoma.

Thank you!

Day 10 - List at Revive Our Hearts



Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)



Father, I pray that You would be with Steve as he walks with You daily. Please help him to cultivate an even stronger integrity as he serves You. As he tells his testimony to others, I pray they are drawn to You and You will be glorified. Help him to remain honest in his business dealings and live life in such a way that it glorifies You.

Today is Thursday Thirteen.

Here are thirteen Bible Verses that are giving me hope for Jimmy as he fights cancer and help me reflect on how good God is, how He is able, how He is faithful, how He has shown Himself to be so present and with us.

My hope is in Him, and my prayer for you is that you will enjoy these verses as much as I have.

May they speak to your heart in whatever situation you are dealing with.

1. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, - Psalm 33:18

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

3. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. - Jeremiah 17:7

4. For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. - Psalms 71:5

5. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. - Psalms 31:24

6. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

7. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

8. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD - Psalm 27:14

9. but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

10. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17

11. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. - Psalm 41:3

12. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. - Isaiah 34:2

13. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into
this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of
God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings....and hope does
not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the
Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

This is a very special passage to me. We serve such a mighty God. He is so faithful to hear our prayers and give us strength during times of crises. Jimmy's angel, who some refer to as his neurosurgeon Dr. M., successfully removed a malignant melanoma brain tumor from the frontal lobe of Jimmy's brain today during a four hour operation. It went much better than he expected. The tumor was strongly attached to the speech area of the frontal lobe. It was a great possibility that when Jimmy woke up he would be unable to communicate.

God had other plans. With tears in his eyes, Dr. M. delivered the wonderful news. Jimmy was not only understood commands, but was verbally and physically able to respond to them. He squeezed their hand, held up 2 fingers when told to and told them his name. He knew where he was and what was going on. He was able to speak articulately and extensively. He recalled things from this morning, minor details that I wouldn't even have remembered.

God answered our prayers and has been a source of comfort and hope for us throughout this time.

The doctor, who is an angel in disguise, acknowledged the miracle of God in this.

Please join with me in giving the Lord a hand of praise for my uncle. Please also pray that his recovery during the next 15 days is not as hard as expected (he is expected to digress as his brain begins to swell) and that God will continue to prove Himself faithful as we continue to put our hope in Him.

Laurie Ann

Day 9 - List at Revive Our Hearts



Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family.(Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)



Father, this is such an area that we need help in. Please give Steve the wisdom and discernment to handle Your money well and that he would honor You in our spending. We trust You to provide for us, and I ask that You give Steve a level-head and wisdom in dealing with this aspect of ministry for You.

Tuesday's Tip Jar from http://blogmommas.com/

It's summer, time for road trips for camping, vacation, etc., that is, if you can afford the gas!

Everyone hates those pesky bugs that get on the grills and bug guards of the cars and trucks. To make it easier to wash off, spray some PAM or another cooking spray on. It won't damage the paint and it makes clean-up quicker and easier.

Day 8 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character – persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)

Father, I pray that Steve will continue to work hard for our family. I thank You so much for his hard work these past years and pray that it will continue. I ask that You would bless him with the character qualities You need him to possess to be effective both in work and in ministry.

Day 7 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)

Father, my prayer for Steve today is that You will place a hedge of protection around his heart and guard his mind against inappropriate relationships with other women. He has such a pure heart and an undivided commitment to me, and I pray it will continue to be so. Thank You, God, for Your protection and please keep him from all the temptations for inappropriate behavior that loom around us.

Sunday Praise and Worship Meme is from Sunflower Faith's blog...

Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

I praise God for saving me. I could never be ashamed of Him. Could I? Some quick self-evaluation shows me that there is potential for the appearance of shame. Oh, my precious Lord, may it never be so! I recommit my life right here right now to never being ashamed of You. May Your love be reflected in my heart, my soul, my mind, my words, and my deeds.

Questions I used for reflection on this...

1. Do I spend time daily with God in prayer?

2. Do I spend time daily reading His Word?

3. Does my speech (wholesome/unwholesome) indicate that I am committed to Christ?

4. Am I willing to share my testimony with others?

5. Is God so much a part of my everyday life that I miss Him when I'm not fellowshipping with Him?

6. Do I consider Him in who I choose to hang around with, what shows I watch, what books I read?

7. Am I absolutely without a doubt willing to talk about my love for my Savior with anyone and everyone?

Day 6 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Father, please work in Steve's life in this area. I know that the current culture promotes a lot of wickedness and evil. Please help him to take a strong stand for You and to live a life of righteousness, pursuing You and not evil.

Day 5 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)



Father, thank you for Steve's faithfulness to our wedding vows. May he continue to honor me, love me, cherish me and keep me only to himself as long as we both live. I pray for his desire to enrich and cultivate our relationship, causing it to grow, not only as a sign of loyalty and commitment to me, but as a picture of Christ's love for the Church. Thank You, Father, for Steve.

"Tagged" from Sunflower Faith's blog on the web

….and for something light! Lol; Tracy from “Thirsty for Him” tagged Sunflower Faith for this really neat meme and told me she tagged me the other day, but I didn't exactly understand what that meant. Now I know, LOL.

Sorry it took me a while, but here I go.

Here we go…The meme (from Evan’s Garden)

Here are the rules for this one:

1. Pick up the nearest book.

2. Open to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

The book I'm reading is Paul: A Man of Grace & Grit by Charles R. Swindoll.

"Think of it this way: By releasing them we enable them to obey.

And when you are called by God to go to a place you
would never have expected to go, there's no need to be afraid of change.

Change brings adventure, and adventure stretches your faith."

The five people I want to tag are:

Pam - http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hmschlmomto2

Melly - http://www.minipauses.blogspot.com/

I don't officially know anyone else who would let me tag them blog wise. Is it etiquettely correct to tag someone who has commented on your blog even if you don't know them well? They may not want me to do that. I'm still new at the blogging thing.

Day 4 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)

Lord, I pray that Steve will grow and abound as he leads our home, continuing to protect and provide for us. Instill in him the characteristics that honor and glorify You, more wisdom, continual sacrificial love, etc., so that our marriage will glorify You and we will be closer as a couple. I thank You for Steve. He has been such a blessing in my life and has so many good qualities. It's not hard being his wife, Lord. He is a wonderful protector and leader in our home. May he continue to be so.

Thirteen things I still have time to do in the "Year of Laurie"

1. Quit smoking. I know I need to stop and I know it would be healthier for me if I did. It's hard, but a lot of things in life are hard. I plan to slow down some at first, then quit eventually this year.

2. Learn to master the art of silence. - I'm working on this. Trying not to talk so much just to hear myself speak and when I do speak, trying to make sure I represent God well.

3. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage in New Orleans.

4. Read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "War and Peace".

5. Send a message in a bottle.

6. Visit Square Books in Oxford , MS.

7. Paint the back porch swing by myself.

8. Overcome my fear of elephants. - not doing very well on this. People get trampled by these evil creatures. Did you know that in Keonjhar that there are villagers living in caves because they are frightened by elephants who are destroying their huts? True. http://www.odisha.in/news/150/ARTICLE/1371/2007-09-01.html

9. Read every book on my bookshelf.

10. Take an online class – something for enrichment and fun.

11. Eat healthier.

12. Visit the D-Day Museum in New Orleans , LA.

13. Lose more weight.

Day 3 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)

Lord, I pray that Steve would keep a short account of his sins, confessing them to You and asking for Your forgiveness when he needs to. I pray that as he does this, his heart will be tender toward Your voice, more quick to heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and increase his love for Your precious Son.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 (NASB)

I chose this picture for WFW because I thought it was a gentle reminder of the eternity of God's unfailing Word. Long after the grass withers and the flowers are gone His Word will remain!

Have you ever driven past a field of wild flowers in bloom in the early morning and thought how beautiful they were? Some see them as weeds that need to be mown down, others see them as the cause of allergies, driving up stock in the antihistamine market. Regardless of whether they're viewed as beautiful or something to be cut down, at sunset they're not as vivid and bright as they are when the sun first calls them to attention.

Fortunately, God's Word is always in bloom, it is eternal and it will not fade or be cut down.

Praise our Father with me for His object lessons in life.

Day 2 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)

Lord, I pray that Steve's relationship with You and with Your Word will bear fruit in his life. Help him manifest the fruits of the spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control as he grows ever-closer You. I pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding who fears You, Father. I know that he already is, as you have blessed him so much in this area, but who couldn't use more of what You have to give? Perfect him, Lord, and help him walk in the light of Your wisdom and blessing.

There's a first time for everything...



And last night was the first time our grandson pulled up on the sofa. All by himself! I cheered him on and was so happy to see him do that. He's going to be walking before we know it!

Day 1 List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Pet. 3:18; Prov. 4:23)

Father, I pray that Steve would grow spiritually and consider his accountability before You. I pray that as he reads his Bible, studies and prays through Your Word that You would guard His heart, the wellspring of life, and that you would help him to grow in the grace and knowledge of You, his Savior and Lord. May You be glorified in Steve, Father.

From Ten on Tuesday....



10 Places You’d Love to Travel To (That You Haven’t Gone to Yet)



This is going to be a hard one because I'm not much for traveling. Oh, I love little road trips, mind you, but I'm not a "I have got to go on a cruise" kind of gal.



1. Square Books - Oxford, MS - click here for link



2. D-Day Museum - New Orleans, LA - click here for link



3. The Hermitage - Nashville, TN - click here for link



4. Heaven - Home (maybe I should put that last, LOL!)



5. National First Ladies Library - Canton, OH - click here for link



6. Pennsylvania Dutch Country - Lancaster County, PA - click here for link


7. The Lincoln Home - Springfield, IL - click here for link

8. Passion Play - Eureka Springs, AR - click here for link

9. Online friends

10. Online friends

Manic Monday

If the statement, 'You are what you eat' was true, I would be a _______.

I would be a breadstick. I love bread!

If you had to have one piece of music (softly) playing in your mind for the rest of your life, what would you want it to be?

Ya know on Forrest Gump when the feather is floating in the breeze? That piece of music. It's beautiful.

What is the most important thing in any relationship?

Communication. If you don't have that, whether in love, friendships, colleagues, aquaintances, etc., you're not going to make it.

The Faith of Job

I've always heard the expression "he has the patience of Job", but have you ever heard the expression "he has the faith of Job?" Me either. I've never heard that expression, but we should hear it.

Job was an upright and blameless man before God. He was the best of the best. There was no one like him in the East. He was so good that after his sons and daughters partied, he would send and have them purified, and daily he would offer burnt sacrifices on their behalf just in case they had sinned. He would use his cattle "Just In Case".

The Bible tells us that one day Satan went before God after he had been roaming the earth and God was so proud of Job that He mentioned Him by name!

"Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no
one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and
shuns evil." - Job 1:8

We know the story. Satan just knew that Job would curse God if he lost everything and was afflicted himself. God allowed Satan to do awful things to Job because he knew that even though Job would be hurt for a season, he was strong and grounded in faith. "Blameless and upright".
Job, of course, was crushed, and his 3 friends and wife were of no help at all. His wife, who incidentally had lost her wealth and children, too, told Job just to go on and curse God and die. No doubt she was ready to just go on living and hoping things would get better if he brought it to a quick end. Job's response?

He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good
from God, and not trouble?" - Job 2:10

His 3 friends accused him of sinning and being wicked, mocking God and just being an evil man. Job knew better, but this had to be discouraging! He had lost all his sons and daugthers - 10 children - animals, his servants, and even his skin had erupted into painful sores from the soles of his feet to the tip of his head.

Here's what I call the "faith of Job". Job lost it all. His friends and wife were of no consolation and he felt abandoned by God, but what did he say?

Here it is:

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon
the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my
flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and
not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27

I have faith in God, strong faith, but if I were to ever endure trials like what Job went through, I pray my response would be the same. Dear Lord, may it be so. Amen.

The Fruit Project

I was reading in the book of John. I was reading where Jesus was talking in Chapter 15:1-17:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in
me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[o] so
that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I
have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear
fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless
you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains
in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and
withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you
remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be
given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing
yourselves to be my disciples. "As the Father has loved me, so have I
loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my
love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have
told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My
command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one
than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you
do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not
know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything
that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me,
but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.
Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command:
Love each other."

I began to think, what fruit do I bear? I know I must bear some, but is it enough? Am I actively trying to bear fruit? I am now.

My project:

1. Read John 15:1-17.

2. On 9 different post-it's, write each of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

3. Each time I practice one, take the sticky and put it in front of me - in my case, that's on my monitor, or somewhere I can see it. If I want to practice one in particular or need special help in one or the other, I will take that sticky and hold it in my hand while I'm practicing it.

Wish me luck!

Friday Feast


Appetizer

When someone smiles at you, do you smile back?

*99.9% of the time*

Soup

Describe the flooring in your home. Do you have carpet, hardwood, vinyl, a mix?

*A mix. We have vinyl in the kitchen and pantry, carpet in the den, hardwood in the foyer and hall, tile in the bathrooms, carpet in the bedrooms and closets.*

Salad

Write a sentence with only 5 words, but all of the words have to start with the first letter of your first name.

*Loving life leaves less letdown.*

Main Course

Do you know anyone whose life has been touched by adoption?

*My best bud was adopted when she was 3 months old. Her parents are wonderful people who have definitely made an impact on her life. They are spiritual giants. Also, I have a friend in an on-line group who adopted a child, definitely giving her a better life than what she would have had in Guatamela.*

Dessert

Name 2 blue things.

*The sky and the chairs in my office.*

From Faithless to Faithful: Shopping in the Desert

It wasn't the Desert, exactly...it was Dogwood. Still, I wandered in the desert for an hour and forty-five minutes, lamenting over non-existent bread, meat, water. It wasn't bread, meat and water I lamented over, exactly...it was clothes!

My concern was for what I would wear for a visitation and a funeral. Rather than focusing on the issues at hand, a grieving father and family that really needed to be prayed for, I cruised the clothing store, looking for just the right outfit - you know the one, the one that makes people say, "Oh, you look so pretty." Or the one that says, "I am in mourning and am dressing appropriately to let you know that I have a fashion sense for these kinds of events.."

For what seemed liked 40 years I browsed the racks, from the highest cost all the way back to the clearance section, and back again. Twice. Thrice, even, browsing the racks, trying on clothes, taking them back, browsing, trying on still more clothes. I began to wonder if I was ever going to get out of there with my sanity. My mind raced as I looked and shopped, wondering what I would do. My feet ached from the journey around the desert, er, store, and from standing on them so long.

Finally, I just stood still. I was not even thinking about prayer, I just was trying to quiet the race in my mind. God spoke to me. No, the sky didn't open up. I didn't hear a voice so much as I felt the voice of God, that gentle, quiet Spirit, chiding me, "My child, remember my Word." I thought, "Your Word?" I was wondering what God's Word had to do with a shopping trip, an unfruitful shopping trip at that. I said (in my head, not out loud), "Okay, Lord, I know your Word. I read it. Okay, your Word. Hmmm...." How can I relate shopping to your Word?

It came to me. God spoke to me, reminding me of Jesus telling the disciples not to worry, not to fret about life, what they would eat, drink or wear. That life was more than just food and the body was more than clothes. Luke 12: 27-28 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" I reminded God we had this same conversation a few months ago, and He reminded me, in fact, that it was one that needed to be had again. And He added this: Remember the Israelites in the Desert? They wandered around for 40 years and their clothes did not wear out. Deuteronomy 8:4 "Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years."

I praised God and told Him I had 2 perfectly fine things to wear and as I left the store, carrying nothing but my purse, I had relief in my feet.

Faithless to faithful, God is there in the Desert, er, stores of your life, as you go with you when you shop. It helps to invite Him with you, though. We pray about so many things, but I never prayed to make my shopping trip a fruitful one. If I had, I doubt the results would have been any different. I hope not.

I enjoyed His Presence at Dogwood!

March, 2008

Jeremiah prayed in Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

This is a timely prayer for me to read. I have a loved one whose cancer has returned in his brain. Fears of the potential complexity of the surgery, recovery, treatment, not to mention the unknown, niggle at the back of my mind. In my heart, I am faithful. I believe God can heal him if it is His will.

Jeremiah reminded us in his prayer that God has shown Himself to be capable in the past. He made the world. He not only made the earth, but all that is in it. And He used His power and outstretched arm to do so. When you think about what all God has made and done and all on His own power and hand, using the wisdom He has, certainly nothing is too hard for God, especially a little 1 1/2 inch tumor.

I will trust in the strength of God's power and outstretched hand.

3 X Thursday

1. What plans do you have for the upcoming weekend?

My grandmother is still in the hospital so I'm heading down there for the day Saturday. Sunday is Mother's Day and also our anniversary. I would love to go see Momma, but am not sure what we're doing for our anniversary yet. 17 years! Can you believe that?! Wowza!!!!!!!!!! This time 17 years ago I was putting the finishing touches on wedding preparations, making sure Daddy had his tux and Jenn and Kristyn had their dresses - oh my word! They were 6 and 8 and now they're grown, married and have babies. Where did the time go?

2. Do you have any major plans for the summer?

I plan to swim, read and try to stay cool.

3. If money was no object, is there would something you'd like to do/somewhere you'd like to go/etc? If so, what is it? If not, are you happy with the way things are?

If money were no object, I'd love to go *home*. I want to be a stay-at-home wife for my husband and stop working outside the home. I like my job. I just love the idea of making a home for my husband more.

www.wordlesswednesday.com

What is Hope?



Hope. My friend Webster has lots of definitions of Hope. As a noun hope is:



1. A specific instance of feeling hopeful - I have felt hopeful many times. It's what keeps me going. I know that hope.



2. The general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled - I've had hopes of getting pregnant, hope that I would get a position I wanted, hopeful that God would answer a prayer the way I wanted. I know that hope.



3. Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future - Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 4. Someone (or something) on which expectations are centered - My hope is set on Jesus Christ.



5. United States comedian (born in England) who appeared in films with Bing Crosby (born in 1903). - I'm sure that since God has a sense of humor He has him preforming for all the veterans up there. :)



6. One of the three Christian virtues. - This is based on 1 Corinthians 13. Faith, hope and love. Faith in Jesus, hope in Jesus and love for Jesus. Does it get any better than that? As a verb hope is: 1. Expect with desire - I am so looking forward to Christ's return. I long for Heaven, no more illness, a new body, worshipping my Savior for eternity... 2. Be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes - My hope is positive. I see it from an optimistic point of view and I know that having hopes and desires in line with God's will is a good thing. 3. Intend with some possibility of fulfilment - John 14:1-4 quotes Jesus: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." I believe that without a doubt. ----------------------------------------- What do you hope for this Christmas? My hope for this Christmas is simple. I only hope for two things. 1. That Jesus be the focus of our season. 2. That my grandmother's Alzheimer's is still moderate (gone would be nice) so that we have Christmas Eve at her house just like always.

Take 5 Tuesday

1. 5 podcasts you listen to.

Chuck Swindoll - Insight for Living
Chip Ingram - Living on the Edge
Joel Osteen
Focus on the Family
Alistair Begg

2. 5 things you’ve found interesting recently, (they can be websites, or anything else.)

Blogging
Adventures in a teething baby
Bible prophecy
iPod podcasts
Healthy Choice steamer meals

3. 5 of your favorite JellyBelly/jelly bean flavors.

Licorice
Very Cherry
Peach
Sizzling Cinnamon
Red Apple
I could go on but I think 5 was the goal, LOL.

4. 5 of your least favorite JellyBelly flavors.

Peanut Butter
Jalapeno
Lemon Drop
Orange Sherbet
Margarita

5. 5 things you’ve looked up recently, (either on google or any other search engine, or on Wikkipedia.)

Bible Trivia
Isaiah 61
Internet Cafe Devotions
Blogger Templates
Iron Man reviews

Enjoy the rest of the day, and your week!

Love for others is so essential to our lives as Christians and makes such a difference in our prayers to God. I love to read God's Word. There is a saying that "We are the only Bible some people read." Without love we are not showing them a true picture of what God's Word is. Forgiveness is key, too. It goes hand in hand with love and Joseph was such a role model of that. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery in the land of Egypt. He prospered there but due to a devious woman, he was wrongfully imprisoned. He prospered in prison, yet when he showed kindness to one of Pharaoh's officials, this official didn't remember it until later - much later. Yet when he was needed to interpret the King of Egypt's dream, he showed God's love. He didn't have to warn of the upcoming famine and could have hoarded for himself, but I fully believe his heart of giving made all the difference in the world.

FRIDAY FEAST

Appetizer

What was your favorite cartoon when you were a child?

I loved the Flintstones and Jetson's equally as much as I loved Yogi Bear and Richie Rich.

Soup

Pretend you are about to get a new pet. Which animal would you pick, and what would you name it?

A teacup poodle named Belle. If she’s a pure-breed, which I don’t mind having, Her full name would be Magnolia Belle ___ (whatever her daddy’s name was). but she would be called Belle.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?

10 - I love the getting dressed up part. I have anticipatory anxiety about the event itself.

Main Course

What kind of music do you listen to while you drive?

I love to listen to our local Christian radio station. Steve prefers classic rock. He listens to my music as long as he can stand it - he likes it okay - he just gets aggravated because he doesn’t know the words and then switches. I don’t say anything because we’re really not in the car together that long….if we are on long trips we switch it up or bring CDs. I should mention that I used to listen to Grey’s Anatomy Season 3 Soundtrack over and over and over and over and over….until I totally burned myself out on it and almost broke the littering law by flinging it from the car like a frisbee.

Dessert
When was the last time you bought a clock? And in which room did you put it?

Most of our clocks have been gifts. However, we had to buy one for the den about 3 years ago. It’s above the television.


Note: I'm sure I'm supposed to link to this but don't know how just yet....