“The Christian life is a pilgrimage. At times the road is difficult and we get lonely. Sometimes we may get discouraged and consider abandoning the journey. It is at such times that God will place a friend alongside us. One of God’s most precious gifts to us is friends who encourage us and lovingly challenge us to ‘keep going.’ “ By Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby from their devotional book, Experiencing God

I'm reminded of a few Bible verses when I read this quote.


Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

Ecclesiastes 4:10 - "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"


God has placed a wonderful friend in my life. I call her my spiritual sister in Christ. H has walked with me as we've made our pilgramage toward a more Christ-like walk in the last few years. We are there for each other in good times and bad, babies being born, deaths in the family, encouraging each other, holding each other accountable regarding the words we speak (or don't speak). We rejoice with each other, cry with each other, comfort each other, share the Word of God with each other and most of all, pray for each other.

Our lives are not perfect. We have storms in our life, raging storms sometimes. We've both had tough times recently and have talked about why God may allow certain things to happen regarding those we love, whether it's a young cancer-stricken relative or the death of an older aunt. We come away from those conversations always uplifted and always remembering that God is in control. God has the best in mind for us, even when *we* can't see it. We are "faith lifter-uppers" to each other. We sharpen each other by communicating openly and honestly.

I have an even better friend than her, though. Actually, she would say the same.


John 15:15 - "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."

While we don't see Jesus in person walking beside us, He has an even better place in our lives. He dwells in our hearts. He shared so much with us, and His Words are even written in red in the Bible, the color of the precious blood He shed on the cross to redeem us into an everlasting life of friendship with Him. He is precious and holy in our sight.

He truly makes clear the path that we walk on our pilgrimage of faith and encourages us through His Holy Spirit and His Word. In times of doubt, discouragement and dread, we turn to Him and remind each other He is there for us.

I'm glad I have these two friends in my life.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 - "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Praise God for my friend and my Friend!


I pray you have an H in your life, a friend you can share your heart with, as well as a friend like Jesus.


Heart to Heart Reflection: Do you know Him? Is He your Friend? If not, contact me for more information on how you can truly have a Friend like Him to help you in your walk. I'd love to introduce you.

I saw this on Marybeth Whalen's blog and thought it would be fun to do for a Monday.

Consider yourself tagged! Leave me a comment and don't forget to leave Marybeth one.

A is for age.
37 for a few more months. Would you believe as a youngster I once believed I would *not* live past the age of 16? I had dreams, but no real vision of my life after the age of 18. Figured I'd just die. When I made it past that, I thought at 18 I would die. When I hit 18, I quit "figuring". God has fulfilled my life and here I am, all those many many years later, content and happy.
B is for burger of choice.
I'm not much of a burger eater. If it has cheese on it and no lettuce or pickles, I'm generally good to go, though.
C is for what car you drive.
2002 black Kia Sportage most of the time. We also have a 2002 Saturn. I prefer the Sportage. I love sitting up higher and being able to "see".
D is for Dog's name.
Wilson. He was named after the ball in Castaway. Remember the one that helped Tom Hanks through a very tough time on the island? We lost our beloved Copper when he was 10 years old. The house was so silent (we have an empty nest) and we were so lonely. Wilson is our 3 year old toy poodle. He was healing balm sent from God.
E is for essential item you use every day.
A book. I use books like some people use air. I have to read.
F is for favorite tv show at the moment.
Ya'll, I have discovered the Hallmark Channel! Perry Mason rocks! All those old detective shows like Diagnosis Murder, Murder She Wrote, McBride, Matlock do. I also love Law & Order during the week. I'm detoxing from CSI. I started having nightmares about things from that show. It's very graphic and when you watch some of those old detective shows/movies you, realize how wholesome they are, LOL.
G is for Favorite game.
I don't have the patience for a board game, yet I enjoy Literati on yahoo games or Mah Jong.
H is for Hometown.
Jackson, MS. I live in a suburb now.
I is for instruments you play.
I play piano by ear.
J is for favorite juice.
Not a juice drinker. I wish I liked it. It just feels like it burns a hole in my tummy.
K is for who you'd like to kiss.
(Marybeth graciously changed this from the original because it was a bit crude.)My grandson Nolan. At 10 months old he is very smoochable.
L is for last restaurant you ate at.
Red Lobster. Yummy!
M is for your favorite Muppet.
Never liked them. They grossed me out.
N is for number of piercings.
Ears only.
O is for overnight hospital stays.
Many. (I was sick with kidney issues as a child that involved multiple hospitalizations.) Marybeth wrote that and I could make that my own sentence. I ended up having surgery at the age of 6 and the issues were resolved. I was in a few more times for the childhood tonsilectomy and assorted illnesses, as well as a horrible case of bronchitis and flu my senior year of high school. As an adult, I have had many female issues that have required multiple surgeries, causing me to lose my uterus, tubes, and other trappings, as well as a couple of benign lumps in da girls, but that's over now, thank goodness. Oh, and I'm minus a gallbladder. I miss it.
P is for people you were with today.
Family & extended family (aka my coworkers!)
Q is for what you do with your quiet time.
Read the Bible (I'm in Ezekiel right now), pray, sometimes sing a song.
R is for biggest regret.
I don't have any regrets. Every mistake I've made is forgiven and everything I've done has brought me to right here, right now.
S is for status.
Married 17 years this past May 11.
T is for time you woke up today.
6:29 a.m., one minute before the alarm went off.
U is for what you consider unique.
Babies. Each one is so different, so full of promise and hope for the future.
V is for vegetable you love.
Asparagus.
W is for worst habit.
Procrastination.
X is for number of x-rays you've had.
So many I am probably radioactive.
Y is for yummy food you ate today.
Chicken biscuit. The day is still young, though!
Z is for zodiac sign.
Virgo. I don't believe in astrological stuff, though.

Do you have a godly (woman) mentor in your life? If so, describe your relationship with her… If you don’t have a mentor, would you like one and what would you hope to gain from the relationship?

I don't have one. I have examples of godly women in my life, but no one in a mentoring relationship, per se. I think I would like to have one. I would hope to gain wisdom, spiritual maturity, accountability in reading the Word, having quiet time with the Lord and of course, accountability in prayer, growing in prayer, too. I see people model these things somewhat, but not in a personal, mentor relationship type way, if that makes sense.

How do you find a mentor? I would rack up major dork points if I asked someone to mentor me and they said, "I don't have time." Or "Sure!" and then never followed through. Something to ponder...

To visit more Cafe Chat participants, click here.

Click the above to see more TSMS Saturday's! God bless Amy for hosting this meme each week. I enjoy it!



I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb

(Words and music by Ray Boltz)

CHORUS:
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

I have heard how Christians long ago
Were brought before a tyrant’s throne
They were told that he
Would spare their lives
If they would renounce
The name of Christ
But one by one they chose to die
The Son of God, they would not deny
Like a great angelic choir sings
I can almost hear their voices ring

CHORUS

Now the years have come
And the years have gone
And the cause of Jesus still goes on
Now our time has come
To count the cost
To reject this world
To embrace the Cross
And one by one let us live our lives
For the One who died to give us life
Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
Let us proudly stand and boldly say

CHORUS

To the Lamb of God who bore my pain
Who took my place
Who wore my shame
I will seek to honor
His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

CHORUS (repeat)

©1994 Word Music/ASCAP (a div. of Word, Inc.) and Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word, Inc.).

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the
creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption
and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”~
Romans 8:18-21 (ESV emphasis Irene's)

Irene wrote:

"Since we are celebrating this up-coming weekend Independence Day in the US, I thought about the word ‘Freedom’ or being ‘Free’. For me, true freedom only comes by knowing Jesus.
As you are celebrating this weekend, think about that freedom always comes with a price. Thankfully my way to heaven has been purchased with the blood of Christ. So, this week, my thankful list includes (but is not limited to)…" and she lists her precious list of things to be thankful for.

I, too, am thankful.

Freedom is truly something to be thankful for. A huge penalty is often paid by few for the freedom of many.

God sacrificed His Son so that we could have eternal life. Christ gave up His life on the cross, bearing our sins so that we would not have to pay the penalty for them ourselves. If God never blessed me with anything else, I could not thank Him enough for that.


Military men and women have sacrificed their lives fighting for the freedom of our country. How blessed are we that we are not sitting in a tank, walking through a landmine field, enduring freezing or scorching temperatures and countless other hardships to ensure our freedom?


I am thankful for the sacrifice that comes for the price of freedom, and for those willing to sacrifice for me. Foremost, Christ for eternal freedom, then military men and women for my earthly liberty. I am thankful I live in a country where I don't have to walk 10 feet behind my husband and worry that all he has to do is say, "I divorce you!" three times and the deed is done if I mess up. I'm thankful I live in a country where I'm not afraid to be caught with a Bible, where I can choose to worship God openly, witness to others, and just openly walk with Christ.

"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die." - Romans 5:7

Who am I that not only Christ but men and women are willing to give their lives for my various forms of freedom? Who am I, indeed? A speck of dust, not even "good" by my own standards. Very humbling. See my post below, though. Christ died to make me good enough in His eyes. He cleansed me.

I am thankful, indeed!

Psalm 51:6-7


Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.



Hyssop is a plant that was used in the Bible for purification rituals. It was first mentioned in the Bible in the Passover ritual. They used it to sprinkle the blood on the doors and doorposts. Hyssop was also used to cleanse those with leprosy, or others who were unclean, as well as to purify homes with mildew, and purify water. It was described in 1 Kings 4:33 by Solomon.


Is it any wonder David wanted to be cleansed with hyssop?


The visual of God cleansing me with hyssop, applying the blood of Christ in my life, is just so breath-takingly awesome that I cannot describe how humble and grateful it makes me feel. I know I'm not deserving of it, yet He loves me enough to truly cleanse me and forgive me for my unrighteousness. And when I'm all clean, the truth and wisdom He desires for me is much easier to receive and plant.

He desires to give us truth and wisdom in the inmost parts.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...." Colossians 3:16

It just seems easier to get it in my heart without all the grime of the world and the flesh lurking on my skin.

Wash me whiter than snow, Lord. Sweep out any impurities or moral decay that I have allowed to creep in. Purify me so that I may stand clean before You. Please help me to keep my eyes on You, honoring You, living for You moment by moment, and living a life that is clean and pure. Thank You for hyssop and for the Blood of the Lamb and His resurrection power!

For more Word Filled Wednesday's, visit our host at http://the160acrewoods.wordpress.com/

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith
Bible study based on book by Lysa TerKeurst


Intro & Chapter 1 - The Map

I've wondered lately what my dream in life was. How do you wonder what your dream is? Don't you just *know*? Not me. I am a planner, and I don't want to plan something I don't intend on finishing. I have to have a goal, a mission, and the end in sight.

I've learned from reading this chapter that it's okay not to know what your dream is. It's enough to trust God for "A dream perhaps you can't even imagine, an assignment you can't figure out and wouldn't dare to consider as being for you." As Lysa says in Chapter 1, "He doesn't call the qualified, but He qualifies those He calls."

Taking all my fears of inadequacy and giving them to Him, I'm prepared to say *YES* to honoring God.

Personal Bible Study

1. Read Job 1:6; Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8

On Satan, Lysa asks, "What tactics is he using to try to defeat you right now?"

The Enemy is alive and active in my life. I find him to be more so when I'm moving for God, striving to be the best I can be in this life of honoring Him and trying to bear fruit for Him. When I'm complacent, he tends to leaves me alone. Distraction is one of his favorite tactics in my life. I find myself making more time to read and chat with friends than I do reading God's Word. Another tactic is lying to me, whispering in my ear that I am inadequate and a total dork, that God could never use me. That is a lie. God loves me, tells me I'm covered in grace, and that He's upholding me with His righteous right hand.

2. Read Ephesians 6:11; James 4:7; John 10:10

Practical ways to resist Satan

For me, reading the Bible, God's Word. Satan can't stand it. Also prayer. When I'm focused on God in prayer, I am not focused on the wiles of the Devil.

Practical ways to draw close to God

The above works well in drawing close to God. When I'm in His Word, I feel like a child curled up in His lap - so close to Him. Prayer draws me so close to Him that I feel like I have His undivided attention. Aligning myself with like-minded people who don't drag me down with high-octane drama, potty mouths and giving way too much information of a personal nature also helps me keep my focus on my walk with God.

3. Read Hebrews 10:35-36.

"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."

Lysa writes: "My prayer is that you will find the confidence you need to persevere until you have received whatever God has promised you."

My prayer, "Father, I will not throw my confidence away based on the lies
of the Enemy. I know that through You, I will persevere and that when I
have done Your will, I will receive the reward You have promised. I trust
You, I purpose to honor You, and to try to see myself as You see me, a woman of
worth and a child of the Most High God. Thank You for loving me.
Whatever Your dream is for me, that is what I want to do. If You want me
to write devotions, I will write them. If You want me to teach Acteens, I
will teach Acteens. If You want me to just continue living my life for
You, that I will do, Lord. I know that You will reveal Your plan to me in
Your time, and I know You have it all planned out. Thank You, God, for
being The Master Planner."

Susan is hosting In "Other" Words Tuesdays today. Pop on over to her site to see what others had to say by clicking on either link above.




“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you...” Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)






God is in control. His purposes will come to pass in our lives no matter what the plans are that we have for ourselves. There's a lot of surrender involved in being able to accept that, more than you may think, and the level is different for each person.


The plans I had for my life included something I never received, children of my own, but God chose to bless me in different ways. His plans for me seemed to include me getting my eyes off what *I* wanted and being thankful for what He had given me.

My life of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for the minute things in life would not be if He had granted me the plans of my heart, perhaps. I like to think it would, but I'm not sure. This I know: My prayer life would not be nearly as strong. I spent 8 years, praying every day, rising early, doing devotions, drawing close to Him, and what initially began as prayer for children to fill my home moved into intercession, thanksgiving, confession and adoration for God.

Also, with two illnesses that I have, Mommy Material I am not. Others with the same illnesses might be, but *I* don't have the stuff it takes. God knew that. His plans...


God's purposes and plans stand firm forever. They are eternal, they are for our own good, and most importantly, they are for God's glory. It's not about us. It's not about what *we* want, it's how we use what He blesses us with for Him.


I'm a planner by nature. I have lists, and I even have a list listing the lists I have made! I'm *that* bad! I don't usually enjoy seeing those plans changed by God at the time, because some of those times can hurt; however, in the end, His plans are the ones that never fail.


While the plans I made to have a child didn't come to pass (I did get pregnant once but she was born into Heaven rather than earth), I received the joy of raising my bonus daughter from age 6 to 20.

God knew this little girl needed a "Laurie Ann" and I was there for her. I ran down the hall with her at 2:00 a.m. in the morning when she was sick, I changed sheets, I held her when she cried, I cooked her meals, helped with homework, laughed with her, taught her what devotions were, made sure she felt loved and secure and grew up happy and healthy, as best as I could. Most of all, I loved her. Unconditonally. I got to be a Mommy. God planned that, and He opened my eyes to see what I had right in front of me.


Now I see some of God's other plans for me coming into fruition. I am a grandmother (Nonnie) to Baby Nolan, age 10 months. Baby Liam is due to be born November 1. My first nephew on my side of the family is due to be born at the end of August - Baby Ethan. I am surrounded by the love of children. Children I can send home with their Momma's & Daddy's after I'm through loving on them. (Did I hear you snicker?)



Shameless plug of one of God's plans come to pass in my life:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9.

God's plans are always the best plans.

I'm reading "The Shack". I have a question...I have spoilers in this post, so if you don't want to know, close now.
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I'm reading The Shack. This book really takes God out of the box and personifies the Trinity in the forms of an African American woman for God, an Asian woman for the Holy Spirit, and a Hebrew man for Jesus. I don't have a problem with this (yet). I believe that in Mack's case, it was probably better to do the women because of his past with his own father.

What I'm not understanding is this. God tells Mack that He never abandoned or forsook Jesus at the cross. The implication is that when all you see is your pain, you lose sight of God. God tells Mack,

"Don't forget, the story didn't end in his sense of forsakenness. He found his way through it to put himself completely into my hands. Oh, what a moment that was!"

Matthew 27:46 reads, "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Sabachthani, the Aramaic word, means "thou hast forsaken me", according to the KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon.

Our perfect and sinless Christ was bearing on His shoulders the sins of the world so that we would not have to pay the penalty for our sins. The enormity of the pressure of that...how do you say, sense of weight, despair, agony....He endured immense pain and suffering. But Christ, being perfect, took His eyes off God because of His pain? Because of sin or a character flaw? So many questions.

If sin is separation from God, then Jesus was separated from God on the cross, right? I mean, I get that they are One. But separate still. I alway thought the Father turned His face away during that time. Abandoned Him.

Jesus never misspoke. He is perfect. Did Jesus just "feel" forsaken? Did God not really forsake Him? I always thought He had. Why wouldn't Jesus have said, "...why does it feel like You've forsaken me?"

I'm feeling pretty clueless. I'm not doubting the Bible. I'm not doubting the Father and I'm not doubting what Jesus said on the cross. I just now have this "uncertainty" nudging at me and making me feel confused and am suddenly aware of how much I really don't know at all.

I guess I'm not understanding the book's take on this section. I'm sure it's not the only time in the book I'll be confused, but this is the first thing that's just "speed bumped" me.

If you've read The Shack, what was your take on that?

Date Night

We had "date night" tonight. Date night can mean anything from going to Baskin Robbins for ice-cream to going to dinner and a movie. It could be a drive down the Natchez Trace. We don't have a set thing we do.

Tonight was an impromptu thing. Steve knew I didn't feel like cooking (achoo! I am still down with a cold), so he asked me if I felt like going for a bite to eat at Mellow Mushroom, and to Borders, right beside it, and maybe pick up something to read. Hmmm...let me think about that (for half a second) "YES!"

Mellow Mushroom is a nice place. They do pizza, hoagies, etc. It's kind of a throwback to the 60's/70's theme as far as decorations go. We haven't been in forever (over a year, I think?), and if someone else is going to cook & clean, I'm all for that! We both ordered the Mushroom Club, which was divine. I don't do lettuce, tomato or sprouts, so they were kind and left those off my order. Their sweet tea is *really* good, too. The good chat over dinner was really nice. Somehow we got on the subject of flatbread. Do you know how much there really is to say about that? Apparently a lot, because we talked about it for a while. Yeah, we're that crazy.

Borders, Borders, Borders. Put me in a bookstore and I am in Heaven. I bought a copy of The Shack, by William P. Young. I've been hearing a lot about it lately (today, especially) and it just seemed to be the book for me. As always, I had to buy a bookmark, too. I chose a "Book Rug" design.

This Date Night was really good. My husband is dreamy for doing this for me. He's the man! He's also already sacked out. I think the combo of a busy day plus a full meal wore him out! Off to start the book....

Irene chose a wonderful part of Philippians to use for Thankful Thursday.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I
still have.” ~ Philippians 1:27-30 (ESV - emphasis Irene's)

I've thought often about my manner of life lately. I want to live a life that is pleasing to God. I want my life to be worthy of Christ's death for me. I know that it is by grace that I am saved and not by my own merit, but that sure doesn't mean I can't "strive" to live a life "worthy". I want to stand firm, and when I am called to do so, count myself worthy to suffer for His sake.
This week I'm thankful for so many things.

I'm thankful for the gift of salvation.

I'm thankful for the Word of God.

I'm thankful that I was raised in a home where I was introduced to Christ at a young age.

I'm thankful for my Uncle Jimmy's optimistic doctor and the protocol she prescribed to treat the cancer.

I'm thankful that there is no sign of cancer in his body right now.

I'm thankful for my sister Jenn's good report on baby Ethan, her first child, due at the end of August.

I'm actually thankful for this cold. It's slowed me down and given me time to reflect and read God's Word.

I'm thankful for all the Bloggers out there and how their posts and meme's encourage me daily.

My heart has been blessed reading the devotions, musings, meme responses, etc. Truly blessed!

I'm thankful for She Speaks. I didn't go but I've read so much about the ones who did and it seems God was right smack in the middle of it. My heart has been blessed by reading about it.

Philippians 3:13-14 - "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Please visit Irene, the host of Thankful Thursday. There you'll find not only her thankful heart, but also a list of the other ladies participating. It's a joy to read their posts. They are so uplifting!

"Then Moses said to Him, 'If Your Presence does not go up
with us, do not send us up from here.'" Exodus 33:15

Moses knew things. He knew if God's presence didn't go with him as he led the Israelites through the wilderness, whether they were driving out the inhabitants of the Promised Land, building the Tabernacle God had given specific instructions for, or just picking up and moving camp from one place to another, they were in trouble!

After the children of Israel left Egypt, God gave them a visual symbol of His presence through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved, the people moved. When the cloud stayed, the people stayed. Day or night they knew that God was there. They traveled and set up camp under the presence of the Almighty God.

While God doesn't give us a visual symbol quite as obvious as a cloud, He does dwell in our hearts.

Like Moses, there is nowhere I want to go if the Lord isn't going with me. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if God is not in a situation I am going into, I'm doomed. I simply cannot imagine facing crisis without Him, and I long to share my joys with Him.

Do I give Him the space He needs in my heart? I pray I never crowd Him out with the things of this world.

Do I feel His presence daily? Admittedly, sometimes closer than at other times.

What should be my response?

~ Be more focused on godly things - I should never allow things that aren't true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, to crowd my heart to where I don't feel God's presence as closely as I should. Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

~ Stay focused on God's Word. The more I read His Word, the more aware I am of His presence in my life. Psalm 1:2, "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night."

~ Stay connected with God throughout the day in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing." James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you..."

~ Keep a short-timed account of my sins to God. When I sin, I need to 'fess up and ask forgiveness, and a pure heart. (1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Heart to Heart - Has there been a time in your life you felt God's presence so closely it just made you gasp? Has there been a time in your life you missed the nearness of God?

Heart Reflections - Claim Moses' prayer as your own. Be that child clinging to God's leg, going where He goes rather than going off and leaving Him to pursue things that are less than noble.

Visit WFW's host at http://the160acrewoods.wordpress.com/ for more WFW's.

This week's In Other Words Tuesday is hosted by Debbie of Chocolate and Coffee.

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

~ Charles Spurgeon~

Psalm 5:3 - "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

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

Psalm 33:20 - "We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield."

Psalm 37:7 - "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."

Psalm 37:34 - "Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it."

Psalm 38:15 - "I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God."

Psalm 130:5 - "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."

That's my kind of waiting! I long to wait for the Lord per-fec-tly in prayer. Wait. Perfectly? Let me go back and re-read!

Perfectly? No. In expectation, with courage, strength, hope, and assurance, yes.

God's Word is timeless. It is as relevant yesterday as it is today and will be tomorrow. The Psalmist knew a thing or three about waiting. He spent time waiting to be king, time waiting to be delivered, time waiting for the Lord to come to his rescue from the miry pit, time waiting to have his feet set back on terra firma.

I have waited on everything from a book to arrive to biopsy results, babies to be born to watching for my husband's best friend to take his last breath.

Tapping my foot, wringing my hands, watching the clock, trying to live this way and that (if I'm a better person, He'll hurry up!)....In all the things I've waited on and waited for, especially in prayer, I have found a word in Charles Spurgeon's quote to be key - "perseverance."

One of the definitions of perseverance is "Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness." - American Heritage Dictionary.

Putting my hope in His Word, His promises, and His perfect timing, I have learned to be steadfast, adhering to God's Word. There are instructions and guidance through the Psalmist's wisdom on waiting. Through reading them and meditating on the Scripture, I have gone from being a toe-tapping waiter to being able to remain relatively calm while waiting on Him. Probably because once I had to wait 8 LONG years for an answer to prayer. And when I got the answer, it wasn't the answer I wanted, but accepted nonetheless. (What else do you do when God says, "No?" You don't argue with God, do ya?)

Waiting...

In expectation

Being strong and taking heart

Knowing He is our help and our shield

Be still before the Lord

Waiting patiently for Him

Waiting for the LORD and keeping His way

Knowing the Lord his God would answer
And putting his hope in His Word.

His Word never fails us. He never fails us. Being still before Him, humbling ourselves and admitting that there are things beyond our control that only He can do are vital keys to waiting. After all, God promises us this:

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Heart to Heart - What is your favorite Scripture on waiting? What is your normal attitude in waiting? How has it changed in the last few years?

Heart Reflections: Think back to a time in your life that you knew God's timing was perfect and cling to that time the next time you find yourself waiting.

Memory Lane

Last night as I was praying, I tried to remember a Scripture I have known since childhood. It was probably the first memory verse that I ever learned. I thought about it and thought about it, and could only remember the first part of it. I had a Bible on the bookshelf beside my bed, so I turned the lamp on and turned quickly to that Scripture. Ahhhh...I couldn't believe I had forgotten it! Am I getting old, was I just sleepy, or.....had I just not kept my mind sharp with God's Word?


There are often times that I think of my favorite verses and do remember them; however, how long has it been since I've devoted time to really drilling God's Word down in my heart? I read His Word daily, yet I have to admit that I haven't worked to memorize new Scripture in a long long time.

There are many times that we don't have Bible's handy when we need to be able to recall God's Word. God is our foundation and has provided a rich store of wisdom and knowledge in His Word. We have only to be willing to draw from it.

Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 33:6, "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure."

It's important to not only read the Bible, but to meditate on Scriptures that we can let God use through us. God's Word speaks power into our lives, comforts others (and ourselves!) and combats the enemy when he's dragging us down.

Heart to Heart Questions: Is one of your great treasures God's Word? What was one of the first verses you remember memorizing? What's the easiest way for you to memorize Scripture?


Heartbeats: Meditate on Isaiah 33:6 and ponder the rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge God has made available through His Word. We have only to open our hearts and flex a little brain muscle to memorize a verse or two to store up for safekeeping.

Irene, over at Thankful Thursday, hosts this wonderful meme. It's such a great time to honor God with thankfulness for what He has given us.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! ~ Psalm 30:11-12 (ESV -
emphasis Irene's)

Give me calm and steady. I don't like the balance of my life to be upset. My heart is disturbed when loved ones suffer or tribulations come my way. I don't like my boat to be rocked.

It's easy to be thankful when life is going great, there is no sickness in the body, loved ones are doing well and you have a roof over your head and food in your mouth. What's hard is praising God in the hard times. It can be done, though.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 - Though the fig tree does not bud and there
are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and
the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the
pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the
LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Didja know that the fig tree symbolizes Israel throughout Scripture? I didn't know that until a few weeks ago. They faced tremendous hardship, whether this was a vision of what the land was to be like during the invasion or if this was literal (Habakkuk was a prophet, and I sometimes have to go back and figure out if it was a vision or real when I read the prophets books of the Bible.)

Think about it. This is lower than low. Yet Habakkuk was willing to praise God. He had a right view of God.

We don't have to understand why bad things happen, and we certainly do not have to enjoy them, but we do need to understand that God loves us and we are to praise Him regardless. He is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving. When we look at how much God loves us (He has redeemed us through His Son, grace personified!!!) and really think about things in light of eternity, the bad things get put into perspective, don't they?

While things in our lives change, God is unchanging. He is still holy and He is still God.

Psalm 46:1-2 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."

He is our Rock. We can run into His arms and be safe.

I'm going to stop here. I could go on and on all day long about things I am thankful for, but knowing Jesus is the Anchor of my sometimes rocky boat helps me praise Him in hard times....

Disclaimer: Medication for pulled muscles in my back may disorganize my thoughts and not make them flow as coherently as they should. I sure wish I could use that excuse when I'm not "muscle relaxed".

To visit more Word-filled Wednesdays, visit 160AcreWoods.

Romans 7:19-20 "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it."

Oh, ARRRGGH! Like Paul, I find that what I don't want to do is the very thing I find myself doing. Through reading God's Word, I have discovered that there is forgiveness, though. I don't have to stay down low with my eyes covered, thinking, "Lord, please don't look at me!" Paul knows we aren't perfect. I'm so glad he admitted his struggles and that he diagnosed the problem. It's all about the sin that remains in our fleshly bodies.

The promise of 1 John 1:9 is comforting, though.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

When we say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing or even think the wrong thing, we can confess it to our precious Savior and He will purify us from all unrighteousness. We are washed "all clean". We can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try our hardest not to go down that path of sin again.

Are we blessed with a loving God or what? Dive into His Word. Find the promises of love and mercy He has for you. Ask Him if there is anything in your life you need His forgiveness on and He will reveal it to you and wash you white as snow.

This week, Chelsey is hosting "In 'Other' Words" on her site, Joyfully Living for His Glory. I encourage you to go there and read what others have to say about this week's quote:

Chelsey chose:

"As Christian women, we must repudiate the world's agenda for women and seek to understand the Word's agenda for women... we must determine to be obedient to the Word of God no matter what is says, with no compromises. This is what is means to be a woman of the Word. We must find out what the Bible teaches about marriage, about children, about men and women and their roles, and then we must be obedient with no apologies, no matter what the
cost. Is this radical Christianity? No. This is basic
Christianity."

What an exciting call to duty! We absolutely must hold true to God's Word for our lives. We need to search the Scriptures daily, dive into them and let them permeate every fiber of our being.

As Colossians 3:16 puts it, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Emphasis mine)

God's Word will give us the instruction we need as women, whether in marriage, raising children, our roles as women, etc. It will never fail us, and if we never fail it, we are guaranteed to win the battle.


What is the battle? The lines get blurred on our role as women and Christians in the world. We are told to act one way by a popular self-help guru, but we find no fulfillment in it. Whether we read the latest book because "she said to" or attend some online university that promises enlightenment, basically...we look to ourselves or others to fight through this thing called life.


We need to be looking toward Christ. He has equipped us with all we need!

His Word contains...

Life - "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Hope - " 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 hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Instruction - "Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him." Psalm 25:12

Wisdom - "Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 24:14

Truth - "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

If you're not in the Word, I encourage you to devote some time to it every day. Whether it's a chapter in the Psalms or Proverbs or picking out the Words in red in the Gospels of the New Testament or perhaps reading Paul's letters, please, take that dive with me and develop a passion for God's Word.

When you become a woman of the Word, life gets interesting, I can promise you that!

My friend Twinkle Mom blogged on a study from the book Lies Women Believe. While I'm not doing the study and I haven't read the book (yet), I wanted to discuss my answers for the 2 questions she posed.

1) What is your current view of determining the size of your family? Is this the same view you held in the past or is it different? Explain.

My current view of determining the size of my family is this: God will decide. We just have to be open to listening to His Holy Spirit as He speaks to us and gives us the size family He wants us to have. For some women, that might mean a one-person family - herself. God might call her to remain single so she can fulfill whatever purpose God has for her that might not be possible with a husband and children. For other women, God calls them to be joined to a husband, and never have children. Whether it's through infertility, child loss via miscarriage, or doors shut during adoption processes, these husbands and wives don't have children of their own. Whatever the reason, God has determined that children are not for them. For other women, God opens their wombs and blesses them abundantly with children. Whether it's 1 or 11, or more, God fills the quiver of the husband full of sons and daughters to raise to honor and glorify Him one day.

I was the in the group where God determined that I wouldn't have children. I didn't know this right away, and though sometimes I wish I had to save myself some heartache, I have learned through God's Word that He works in His timing for His will and His purpose.

When I was going through infertility, one of the Scriptures that I found comforting was Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1. Hannah had a need, she prayed, Eli thought she was drunk, realized she wasn't drunk and blessed her, the Lord remembered Hannah, hearing her prayer, and she fulfilled the vow she made while praying.

My story is a lot like Hannah's, although it doesn't end exactly the same way. I had a need. I prayed. I begged. I pleaded. I stated my case for what I wanted. The Eli's in my life knew I was on a quest from God and at first thought me mad, then joined with me in prayer as I sought God's will for my life. The Lord remembered me, hearing my prayer, and I fulfilled the vow I made to God. What was my vow? Simply that whatever God's will was for my life, I would accept it, no questions asked (of God's power or will).

God never once let me down. He never promised me 3.5 children. He never promised me one. What He did promise me was that He would meet all my needs according to His riches. He promised me that He loved me and had given His Son to die on the cross to pay for my sins. He promised me that when I died, I would spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Am I okay with that? Yes. I have to be. Why? Because God is still God. He exercised His will in my life, and whether or not I understand it, I trust that He did it for His glory. Not mine, not Steve's, His.

That's why I personally think that God determines the size of our families. I can't decide it on my own.

Are you going through infertility? Have you lost one or more children in miscarriage? Are you just getting started in your journey? Trust God. Pray. Leave it in His hands. I promise you that if you seek God's will for the size of your family, you will save yourself a lot of heartache if you completely and totally turn it over to Him. When you pray, lose that precious time devoted to sleeping and eating and couple it with fasting. Pace the floors, but do it while you are clinging to God, not blaming yourself, doctor's or battling man in the long road of adoption. Give it all you have, yet while you are giving your all, let God be God and give His all to determining the size of your family. He will not fail you if you seek His will. I can promise you that. His will is perfect and something you can live with, whether He blesses you with children or not.

(2) Think about how you view the issue of birth control. Does your view line up with God’s view of birth control? Give Scriptures to show God’s view.

Oooof. I'm not sure what the Scriptures say on birth control. Can you show me one that gives a clear-cut answer? I know what many religions believe. I can tell you what Laurie Ann believes. No amount of birth control is going to stop a child from being conceived if God wills it. I sat in the doctor's office once when I was going through IF treatments. The walls were so thin that you could hear conversation in the next room. This woman was sobbing, asking the doctor how in the world she could possibly be pregnant since she was on birth control pills. There was some discussion about forgetting pills and ultimately how antibiotics could render it obsolete. Laurie Ann's wisdom says, "God has a plan."

These are personal feelings. I respect yours if they're different and welcome your comments. This topic has the potential for such sensitivity. I hope I was respectful to everyone in voicing my opinion and thoughts...

Visit http://www.internetcafedevotions.com/ for more Cafe' Chat...




I'm late. Why? I spent Father's Day with my dear husband and really wasn't online very much at all to speak of. Better late than never (in most cases), though.

The topic was:

What is one of your favorite attributes of God, and why? As individuals we all have unique qualities. It would make sense then that for each of us our FAVORITE attribute of God would be different. Some attributes to ponder would include:

MERCY
WISDOM
SOVEREIGNTY
HOLINESS
FAITHFULNESS

Lately, I have been praising God for His holiness and sovereignty. I love how throughout the Old Testament God reminds us of these attributes. The Ten Commandments, the exact design for the Tabernacle and the articles that went in it, the Ark of the Covenant, oh, I could go on and on....

He alone is the Most High God. He alone is worthy of praise and adoration. He alone is worthy of worship and devotion. There is no other God but He.

God alone has absolute dominon and power over us. We are ruled by the King of kings and Lord of lords. We follow respect and defer to the law of the country we live in, but we adhere closely to God's law and instructions.

I love this passage from Revelation 15. It sums up what I'm so inadequately trying to say...

"...and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

Caught Between Rock and Sand

You can't take yourself out the world you live in and you can't isolate yourself in a plastic bubble, but you feel in your heart that you do have the responsiblity to make an effort to live in a manner that's pleasing to God.

How far do you go in removing the things of the world without being a "fanatic"?

Have you ended friendships that have been toxic? Have you changed your television or movie viewing habits? Made changes in what you read? How do you maintain contact with the world without being "of the world"?

What's the key to balancing it out? How do you explain changes you've made in your life to others who notice it and comment on it?

Day 31 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Day 31Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

Father, I pray that You would guide Steve to recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Help Him bring every thought captive to You and recognize when he's under Enemy attack. Help him stand firm and be guided by Your truth and You will.

I have enjoyed praying for him every day for this period of time, and will continue to pray the Word over his life.

Be sure to visit the website above for more songs Then Sings My Soul Saturdays songs.

The song I chose for today is a song that I believe glorifies God because I feel like I'm just caught up in praise to Him when I'm singing it. I know it's what Heaven will be like. Just praising Him from every tribe, tongue, nation....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AMT_kAD6cOg#

He Reigns by Newsboys

It’s the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir

It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this

And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they’ve just heard
‘Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word

When all God’s children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God’s people singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

From Melly's Mini Pauses Blog...

Appetizer

Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?

I'm very much an optimist. I believe things will
work out the way they're meant to work out and I always see the glass half-full. I'm not a worrier or pessimistic.

Soup

What is your favorite color of ink to write with?

Pink, purple or blue.

Salad

How often do you get a manicure or pedicure?
Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?

I haven't had a manicure in about 6 months. I let
my real nails grow out and keep them myself. I don't do a full manicure. I just try to keep them filed and clean. I like to wear clear or pale pink fingernail polishes. It's time for a pedicure. I have them done during the summer regularly. I haven't had my first one of the season yet, but I will this weekend.

Main Course

Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?

I won 2 ebay auctions, LOL. Does that count?

Dessert

In which room in your house do you keep your home
computer?

Our computer is in our bedroom. I love it being
back there because Steve likes to watch television in bed at night while I'm on the computer. We feel comfortable at the thought of being in the same room
together.

Day 30 - List at Revive Our Hearts

Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)

Father, I pray that Steve will serve both You and others with pure motives. Help him to be obedient to You as he hears You speak to his heart, and may he glorify You in all that he does.

Melly tagged me for 8. Visit her Eight at http://minipauses.blogspot.com/2008/06/eight.html

Eight

8 Things I'm passionate about

1. reading the Bible
2. reading - I am an avid reader
3. trying to live a life that glorifies God
4. being the best wife I can to the most awesome husband in the world
5. my grandson
6. some family and friends
7. blogging
8. WOW Gals Group

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die

1. serve God better
2. be a better wife, daughter, friend, etc.
3. retire
4. have more grandchildren
5. overcome my fear of elephants
6. fly/overcome my fear of flying
7. live in a cooler climate
8. blog better
   

8 Things I say Often

1. get out!
2. not so much.
3. Wilson!!!!!!
4. did I tell you what Baby No did last...
5. is it time?
6. yikes!
7. dad gum it
8. oops

8 Books I've read recently

1. The Bible
2. Ice Bound
3. Paul by Chuck Swindoll
4. David by Chuck Swindoll
5. Moses by Chuck Swindoll
6. Escape by Carolyn Jessup
7. His Favorite Wife by I Can't Remember Who
8. The entire Left Behind Series, pre-quels and all

8 Songs I could listen to over and over

1. I Can Only Imagine
2. God is in Control
3. Tears of the Saints
4. The Story
5. The song where the feather is floating in Forrest Gump
6. All Rise
7. Bring the Rain
8. Amazing Grace (Chris Tomlin)
   

8 Things that attract me to my best friend

1. his Christian heart
2. his strength, emotional and physical
3. his outspoken and unconditional love for me
4. his intelligence
5. his willingness to listen
6. his putting up with my illnesses
7. his fatherhood abilities
8. his humor
   

8 Things I've learned this year

1. no matter how unworthy I feel, Christ died to make me worthy - it's a fact
2. to pretty much stop caring what others think about me
3. when God says, "No," He has His reasons and I'm just to be thankful for His grace
4. never to give up in prayer
5. blogging rocks!
6. the WOW Gals are wonderful
7. you can't pick your relatives
8. grandchildren are some of the most awesome gifts in the world

Irene, over at Thankful Thursday, hosts this wonderful meme. It's such a great time to honor God with thankfulness for what He has given us.

Irene posted the verse "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules."~ Psalm 119:102-108 (emphasis Irene's) (ESV)





She asked us what we were thankful for. I, too, am thankful for God's Word. There is so much life in His Word. It's full of hope and encouragement, as well as instruction and wisdom.

This week I have been wrestling with a flare-up of an illness I have. It's painful, time-consuming, inconvenient, and worrisome. Like the apostle Paul, I have prayed for this "thorn in the flesh" to be removed, yet God has told me "No."

I'm thankful this week for God's message through Paul in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when
I am weak, then I am strong."

I find it so hard to delight in my weakness. I am reminded that God's grace is sufficient, though, and I know that I pray more because of the "thorn". If it wasn't there, would I pray as much? Would my time in prayer that I use begging God for release and mercy go further into praying for others? Would I be as close to God as I am without that weakness? I am strong in Christ because I am weak.

It doesn't matter to me if God never delivers me from the clutches of IBS. His wonderful grace is sufficient for me. I will keep clinging to Him, spending time in the Word, spending time in prayer, and most of all, glorifying God.

The weaknesses that come with this mortal body are one day going to be stripped away. That's the result of grace, my friend. Illness will not last forever. Praise God for His Word that I can cling to for hope!

Day 29 - List at Revive Our Hearts



Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home.(Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)



Father, Steve is such a good husband. I pray that he would surrender his time and talents, of which I sing his praises, to You. I pray that in all the walks of life he visits, whether at work, church or home that you would bless him and help him honor You, Lord.