Today is a trying day for my Sweetheart. I can't be with him physically, but I have gathered prayer warriors and have surrounded him with continual prayer as he faces this troublesome day. So many times this morning I felt like my prayers were somehow inadequate, as if it was the power from my prayer that would fix this. We need God's power the power is not our own. I was sitting here wishing there was more I could do, and I turned on some praise music. Listening to Higher Ground settled me down.
I'm pressing on the upward way
New heights I'm gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
####Chorus:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven's table land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Tho' some may dwell where these
abound
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
####
I want to live above the world
Tho' satan's darts at me are hurled
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground.
####
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I'll pray till heaven I've found
"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Love Is....
Tomorrow is Valentines Day. Ted and I won't get to be together for much of the day, and that leaves me a bit forlorn. I was trying to think of poetry, or something unique to express my jumbled thoughts in a romantic fashion. Alas, I find that I will just
Keep
It
Simple
Sweetheart
I Love you!
Keep
It
Simple
Sweetheart
I Love you!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wait upon the Lord
Psalms 59
A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
To the chief Musician, Altas'chith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.
1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God:
defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,
and save me from bloody men.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul:
the mighty are gathered against me;
not for my transgression,nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault.
Awake to help me, and behold.
5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,
awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.
Selah.
6 They return at evening:they make a noise like a dog,and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips:for who,say they, doth hear?
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee:for God is my defense.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me:God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget:scatter them by thy power;
and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips
let them even be taken in their pride:and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be:
and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.
Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog,
and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat,and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning:
for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing:for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.
A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
To the chief Musician, Altas'chith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.
1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God:
defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,
and save me from bloody men.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul:
the mighty are gathered against me;
not for my transgression,nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault.
Awake to help me, and behold.
5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,
awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.
Selah.
6 They return at evening:they make a noise like a dog,and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips:for who,say they, doth hear?
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee:for God is my defense.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me:God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget:scatter them by thy power;
and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips
let them even be taken in their pride:and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be:
and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.
Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog,
and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat,and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning:
for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing:for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Can't Touch This
I know that is a popular secular saying, but so many times we as God's children think we are untouchable by the circumstances of the world. Yes, God does filter everything that happens to us. Bad things can and do happen to God's children. The dividing line is that we need to be thankful and give God the glory no matter what happens to us.
Today has been a day to put feet to my faith and to see if I did learn that lesson of trusting God even when I don't understand. As I pondered and prayed today, I remembered Daniel ended up in a lions' den, Joseph spent years in prison, Peter and the disciples were all imprisoned and martyred, Job is the picture of faith through all ages, Esther risked her life, David ran for his life for years.... the list goes on. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews is full of people who put their trust in God no matter what and endured many hardships and unfair circumstances and even danger or death. Why do I think that I am somehow exempt from this in the age of grace? Why do I think I can limit what God allows to happen to me?
This blog is about our mountains and our valleys, right now we are entering a valley that at this end seems dark and scary, but I know that God will walk or carry us through it and that the mountain is just ahead even if the climb is treacherous.
So for this situation we are facing right now... to God be the glory, I am still blessed!!!!
Today has been a day to put feet to my faith and to see if I did learn that lesson of trusting God even when I don't understand. As I pondered and prayed today, I remembered Daniel ended up in a lions' den, Joseph spent years in prison, Peter and the disciples were all imprisoned and martyred, Job is the picture of faith through all ages, Esther risked her life, David ran for his life for years.... the list goes on. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews is full of people who put their trust in God no matter what and endured many hardships and unfair circumstances and even danger or death. Why do I think that I am somehow exempt from this in the age of grace? Why do I think I can limit what God allows to happen to me?
This blog is about our mountains and our valleys, right now we are entering a valley that at this end seems dark and scary, but I know that God will walk or carry us through it and that the mountain is just ahead even if the climb is treacherous.
So for this situation we are facing right now... to God be the glory, I am still blessed!!!!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Simple Sayings
Lately I have heard or noticed 1 liners that make me pause and think.
Here are a few:
Unforgiveness is a poison you drink and wait for the other person to die.
Let your resolution be God's solution
Here are some gems from Dr. Adrian Rogers:
Just because it doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense.
Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity.
If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.
Sin is not just breaking God’s laws; it is breaking His heart.
We ought to be living as if Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back this afternoon.
Has it ever occurred to you that nothing occurs to God?
It’s what you sow that multiplies, not what you keep in the barn.
If you have a Bible that’s falling apart, you’ll have a life that’s not.
I wouldn’t trust the best fifteen minutes I ever lived to get me into Heaven.
God grades on the Cross not on the curve.
Here are some others:
Read your Bible It's user friendly plus we offer Tech Support on Sunday Morning
Here are a few:
Unforgiveness is a poison you drink and wait for the other person to die.
Let your resolution be God's solution
Here are some gems from Dr. Adrian Rogers:
Just because it doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense.
Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity.
If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.
Sin is not just breaking God’s laws; it is breaking His heart.
We ought to be living as if Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back this afternoon.
Has it ever occurred to you that nothing occurs to God?
It’s what you sow that multiplies, not what you keep in the barn.
If you have a Bible that’s falling apart, you’ll have a life that’s not.
I wouldn’t trust the best fifteen minutes I ever lived to get me into Heaven.
God grades on the Cross not on the curve.
Here are some others:
Read your Bible It's user friendly plus we offer Tech Support on Sunday Morning
Monday, January 16, 2012
Spirit Quest
The title of this post probably rouses images of Native Americans or other ancient people groups searching for answers in the supernatural. This post is like that, but on a defined level of searching for what the Holy Spirit of God wants in my life. In an earlier post, I spoke about the lessons God teaches me each year especially since Momma went to Heaven the end of 2009. As a recap, God taught me about grace in 2010, and trusting in Him in 2011, and now we are into 2012. The end of 2011 was fraught with stress and inner turmoil. Many aspects of my "service" for the Lord were becoming duties to people out of obligation, or because I had done it for so long, how could I just stop? I wrestled with some of the very things that I had decided so long ago would be a panacea for serving the Lord by doing "THIS".
I prayed alot this past year about some of those very areas of service as they became more of a burden and stress inducer then a joy in serving Jesus. They were all areas of services that I had chosen to do, not what God had called me to do. In fact, the one activity that He called me to do rarely stresses me out. Let's think about that for a minute.... the things I thought I should do to serve Him were becoming increasing sore spots, and the one thing He had asked me to do, I was able to do with joy and had the urge and zeal to do more.
The problem with those self chosen ministry opportunities was that I have done them for years and done them well.... I did not know how to say "NO" I can't do them anymore. Most people actively serving Christ either in self chosen or God called areas do not understand when someone wants to lighten their load.
I did not know how to get out of doing them either. So God in His infinite wisdom gave me some back and nerve problems that limited me in one of those service spots. I had an easy enough reason now to say "NO" to that and no regrets. I still live with the pain and have to be really careful, but if that is how God has to teach me to serve HIM and not the expectations of myself or others, then I don't mind the constant reminder. The other ministry outreach I was involved in was trickier. I talked with Ted and others and even tried to step out for a bit when I had my back problems, etc. I had more relief when I wasn't involved in that ministry, but did not know how to say no without hurting the others involved. I agonized over it and prayed alot about it, and God usually found a way to get me out of it on a case by case basis. I knew I couldn't keep up the constant turmoil. Although I had been convinced years ago that He must want me to do this because it was such a noble ministry, it was time to say "NO". I knew it was time to end it without asking God to get me out of it every time. I begged God to give me the words that wouldn't cause hurt or a misunderstanding, and He told me to keep it simple. I was able to relinquish that burden and all the barbs of guilt the devil tried to throw at me. How do I know it was the devil? Because for every dart of guilt, God would give me a verse or thought in reassurance that I was finally doing what HE wanted me to do.
You ask, so she has withdrawn from so many areas of ministry, is she apathetic or lazy? If she doesn't do them, who will???!! I was doing so many of these areas of service to please other people, and I knew when I was becoming a man-pleaser (hard to please people all the time though) and not a humble servant of God.
What is God asking me to do? He has been very clear to me in the past months that I am to be a prayer warrior for my loved ones and church. I am so often involved in "DOING", that I don't seem to have dedicated time for prayer. God is molding the clay into His image, not the one that I think others expect me to be. He has lightened the load in the other two areas of ministry that I am still involved in.
I have received great counsel from my husband and also my mother-in-love. I rebelled against alot of their counsel because it just seemed like I was supposed to be burning out for the Lord and wearing out instead of rusting out.
I started feeling like someone had dipped a brush into my paint can and splattered it all over the wall of my life. When instead, God wanted to make me into a beautiful masterpiece of His design.
Working outside the home and also in our last year of homeschooling has stretched my limits. Ted's job has become increasingly stressful as well, and I was feeling like I just did not have what it took to be the wife and mother I know God expected me to be. Ted and I have discussed it at great length and I do need to work, and Justin will be finishing high school in May. God has brought situations and people into my life that NEED prayer, and I need to be able to devote more time in my own personal relationship with the Master Sculptor and Painter of my life. God has brought me to the point where He has shown me that although I was active in the ministry, NEVERTHELESS, I needed to be doing it for His glory, and not out of obligation to others expectations.
I know I have alot to learn as I journey through 2012, but I am excited about spending more time in prayer and devoting my time and energy to my husband and family and the ministry that GOD has called me to do. I am so glad that He now has the paintbrush in hand and did not throw this mottled clay away.
I prayed alot this past year about some of those very areas of service as they became more of a burden and stress inducer then a joy in serving Jesus. They were all areas of services that I had chosen to do, not what God had called me to do. In fact, the one activity that He called me to do rarely stresses me out. Let's think about that for a minute.... the things I thought I should do to serve Him were becoming increasing sore spots, and the one thing He had asked me to do, I was able to do with joy and had the urge and zeal to do more.
The problem with those self chosen ministry opportunities was that I have done them for years and done them well.... I did not know how to say "NO" I can't do them anymore. Most people actively serving Christ either in self chosen or God called areas do not understand when someone wants to lighten their load.
I did not know how to get out of doing them either. So God in His infinite wisdom gave me some back and nerve problems that limited me in one of those service spots. I had an easy enough reason now to say "NO" to that and no regrets. I still live with the pain and have to be really careful, but if that is how God has to teach me to serve HIM and not the expectations of myself or others, then I don't mind the constant reminder. The other ministry outreach I was involved in was trickier. I talked with Ted and others and even tried to step out for a bit when I had my back problems, etc. I had more relief when I wasn't involved in that ministry, but did not know how to say no without hurting the others involved. I agonized over it and prayed alot about it, and God usually found a way to get me out of it on a case by case basis. I knew I couldn't keep up the constant turmoil. Although I had been convinced years ago that He must want me to do this because it was such a noble ministry, it was time to say "NO". I knew it was time to end it without asking God to get me out of it every time. I begged God to give me the words that wouldn't cause hurt or a misunderstanding, and He told me to keep it simple. I was able to relinquish that burden and all the barbs of guilt the devil tried to throw at me. How do I know it was the devil? Because for every dart of guilt, God would give me a verse or thought in reassurance that I was finally doing what HE wanted me to do.
You ask, so she has withdrawn from so many areas of ministry, is she apathetic or lazy? If she doesn't do them, who will???!! I was doing so many of these areas of service to please other people, and I knew when I was becoming a man-pleaser (hard to please people all the time though) and not a humble servant of God.
What is God asking me to do? He has been very clear to me in the past months that I am to be a prayer warrior for my loved ones and church. I am so often involved in "DOING", that I don't seem to have dedicated time for prayer. God is molding the clay into His image, not the one that I think others expect me to be. He has lightened the load in the other two areas of ministry that I am still involved in.
I have received great counsel from my husband and also my mother-in-love. I rebelled against alot of their counsel because it just seemed like I was supposed to be burning out for the Lord and wearing out instead of rusting out.
I started feeling like someone had dipped a brush into my paint can and splattered it all over the wall of my life. When instead, God wanted to make me into a beautiful masterpiece of His design.
Working outside the home and also in our last year of homeschooling has stretched my limits. Ted's job has become increasingly stressful as well, and I was feeling like I just did not have what it took to be the wife and mother I know God expected me to be. Ted and I have discussed it at great length and I do need to work, and Justin will be finishing high school in May. God has brought situations and people into my life that NEED prayer, and I need to be able to devote more time in my own personal relationship with the Master Sculptor and Painter of my life. God has brought me to the point where He has shown me that although I was active in the ministry, NEVERTHELESS, I needed to be doing it for His glory, and not out of obligation to others expectations. I know I have alot to learn as I journey through 2012, but I am excited about spending more time in prayer and devoting my time and energy to my husband and family and the ministry that GOD has called me to do. I am so glad that He now has the paintbrush in hand and did not throw this mottled clay away.
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