Courtney at Women Living Well is sharing ways to make your home a haven. I will be lighting my candle tomorrow and praying over my family. I'll also be using a new book Commanding Your Mornings to aid in the prayer department!!! I'm stoked about what the Lord will do in our home.
I know for a fact that I set the tone in our home. You've heard that saying "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"! Well it's very true. Tonight I am choosing to change my tone and attitude so that my children will be blessed and our home will become a haven.
Hope you'll join in...
Tasha
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
11/04/2012
5/10/2012
Oh No You Never Let Go!!!
As I sat this morning having my quiet time with the Lord, I looked out over the small treasure of nature on just my 2 acres. I sat in awe as I watched the birds fly about and the bees go from wild flower to wild flower. Looking at my chickens, and my potted garden and compost. I just began to speak to the Lord what was welling up within my heart.
Thanking Him that in all these months and years He has allowed me to stumble, doubt, mistrust, but He has never let me go. Then John 10:27-29 came to mind.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall ANYONE snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and NO ONE IS ABLE to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (emphasis mine)
I’ve had some rough months and years, but when I look back, not once in the last 7 years have I totally walked away from Him. I’ve slipped and fallen away from prayer, reading, etc, but never once to the point of not believing. If He were a man, He would have let me go a long time ago, much as my husband has, but My God is not a man that He should lie. He said it in His Word and has held true to His Word, even when I did not!!!! I am His and He is mine!
How Deep the Father’s Love For ME (Us)!!!! Those were the next words the leaped to my heart and mind and I looked the video up on YouTube and the words resonated within my spirit. You Never Let Go were the next words to swell within my heart and I looked that video up on YouTube as well. Through the calm and through the storm, He never let go of me!
My God is a good God! A loving God! He is my biggest and greatest cheerleader and I’m His biggest fan! Me, a wretch, so unworthy of Him and His love and yet, He emphatically sees to it that I know He loves me. Who could NOT love a God like Him!!! And to think, He’s the only one like Him!!!!
He is so totally amazing and I am privileged to be called His! I can only imagine the huge grin on His face as I sit here with this huge grin on my own face!!! I have a Father who loves me even when I am wretched.
Tasha
Thanking Him that in all these months and years He has allowed me to stumble, doubt, mistrust, but He has never let me go. Then John 10:27-29 came to mind.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall ANYONE snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and NO ONE IS ABLE to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (emphasis mine)
I’ve had some rough months and years, but when I look back, not once in the last 7 years have I totally walked away from Him. I’ve slipped and fallen away from prayer, reading, etc, but never once to the point of not believing. If He were a man, He would have let me go a long time ago, much as my husband has, but My God is not a man that He should lie. He said it in His Word and has held true to His Word, even when I did not!!!! I am His and He is mine!
How Deep the Father’s Love For ME (Us)!!!! Those were the next words the leaped to my heart and mind and I looked the video up on YouTube and the words resonated within my spirit. You Never Let Go were the next words to swell within my heart and I looked that video up on YouTube as well. Through the calm and through the storm, He never let go of me!
My God is a good God! A loving God! He is my biggest and greatest cheerleader and I’m His biggest fan! Me, a wretch, so unworthy of Him and His love and yet, He emphatically sees to it that I know He loves me. Who could NOT love a God like Him!!! And to think, He’s the only one like Him!!!!
He is so totally amazing and I am privileged to be called His! I can only imagine the huge grin on His face as I sit here with this huge grin on my own face!!! I have a Father who loves me even when I am wretched.
Tasha
5/09/2012
I Couldn't Stand It, I had to Do Something...
I went to a friends house on Sunday after work and we worked in her garden most of the remainder of the afternoon. The boys added chicken wire to her fence to keep her baby chicks within the safety area (2 of them had already become snacks for the dogs) and the women all worked at planting tomatoes and peppers. She says we are welcome to the harvest, but there are some items I just won’t be able to bring myself to eat because she has used railroad ties as her raised beds. There are other areas that she has used bricks and I will be able to partake of the harvest from those areas.
Anyway, it gave me the gardening itch. I have not successfully planted a garden in the last 2 years. In 2010 I tried the square foot garden and it just didn’t work out with the type of soil I had delivered and I gave up rather quickly. Then in 2011, the heat was so unbearable and record breaking hot, that though a few things started growing, they quickly died!!!!
Our lawn mower is in the shop and it may be a while before it’s ready...before I can pay for the repairs. So the grass is like knee high and I couldn’t find anyone to till the entire yard for me to let the grass start over and to fill the holes and make everything even again. So, I just looked out with sadness because I couldn’t garden.
But then, I began to pray!!!!
Don’t you know God cares about the things that are on your heart?! Even things you think are minuscule and unimportant. His Word says....casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
We all go through moments where we think God only cares and wants to hear about the big things in our lives that we cannot handle on our own, but surely He wants us to handle the little things we can do for ourselves. However, that is NOT true and contrary to what His Word says. We are to bring all things to Him in prayer and supplication.
So I did!!!
And Wham, He began to give me ideas and such rather quickly. My mother had lots of pots. I quit buying them and gave her all of mine when we moved out here on the land. I figured with all of this land, there would never be another reason for me to need flower pots. However, she saw things differently and continued to grow things in the ground and in pots! My sister told me she would never use the pots and that I could have them and so God began to show me visions of food growing from pots and the one, lonely, broken, wheelbarrow I had. I was able to purchase 2 bags of top soil, 2 bags of manure, and 1 bag of peat moss and I filled everything I had (thought I had...I discovered about 5 more pots on the side of the shed). Then I began to plant...7 asparagus roots, 6 tomato plants, and some basil, zucchini, and cucumber seeds. I hope to get some green beans and watermelon seeds soon. Let me tell you, I had the most fun playing in the dirt and getting my hands dirty. Then I began to look out and remind God of the greater vision He gave me. I can literally see it before me, but it will take the better part of 1 - 1 1/2 years for it to be what I see in my minds eye.
How could I even start with no money? He said “start with what you have”!!
Hmmmm, start with what I have? What do I have? I have chickens...which we are no longer eating the eggs or meat of. My son asked could he sell the eggs and I said sure. He’d need more hens though to make any kind of real profit and to be able to buy their feed. How will we get more hens Lord when everyone is charging $10 and up for them. And then one of our hens went broody....first time ever!!! Then a second hen went broody on us....again, first time ever!!! I have another one that is getting broody, but she has no eggs to set on, so we are hoping she’ll lay soon and set on a few! Ok Lord, that will take care of the more hens issue, but they won’t start laying for 4 months after they hatch. Still NOT an issue, it’s an increase and a blessing!!!
My dream is to literally cover these 2 acres with a new home, a pool, fruit trees and hundreds of raised garden beds...leaving VERY LITTLE grass to be mowed, thus no need for the riding mower, my son can use it strictly for cutting others lawns and making an income for himself. I hope to be able to donate to our local food pantry and women’s shelter, and begin a Pick Your Own business, not to mention the harvest I will have for my own household! I don’t want to have to go to the grocery store for much at all!!!
Ok, so we moved a little shed that was sitting on the side of our house and not being utilized, into the chicken yard. It was hard work, but so well worth it in the end. I plan to purchase nesting boxes in the future that will hold 12 hens, but it also comes with roosting poles for the remainder that aren’t setting on eggs. Well, if I’m going to be doing raised garden beds and trying to do it all natural, I need compost. Hmmm, it takes a long time to compost chicken poop. But rabbit poop is ready to use immediately. Hmmm, my friend just had two rabbits to have babies. Wondered if she’d let me have a boy from one and a girl from the other, that way they can breed later and we can have lots of rabbit poop for composting and gardening!!!! I asked, she said YES!!!!! They’ll be weened in about 4 weeks!
Ok, Lord, we’ve got the chickens situated, we’ve got chicken poop. Now we need a rabbit hutch and a compost bin. Lord I don’t have money for wood to build anything....Show me Lord, You gave the vision, show me!
I look out my back door and my eyes fall on an old small chicken coop my husband built when we had chicks. I say small but it’s about 4 ft high and 8 ft long. This would make a perfect starter compost bin. One side for chicken poop and other compost stuff the other side for rabbit poop and compost stuff. Hmmmmm, I need pallets to make a third bin for finished compost that is ready to use. My friend has that too....I can have them!!!!
WOW Lord!!! You are really working this out.
Ok, back to rabbit hutch, what will I do for that? I went to bed and literally woke up the next morning with another vision. I have peg boards in my shed that someone gave to us. At the time I had no clue what to do with them, but now I visualize a rabbit hutch and for my son a hamster hutch....ahhhhh we can use hamster poop in compost too with the rabbit poop!!! I began drawing! I can’t draw, but I drew a perfect rabbit hutch. Then I began to write down all that I would still have to buy and God began to show me things to use instead of what I had written down and it all came out to be much cheaper!!! In the end when I am finally done, the rabbit hutch will cost me all of $25, for chicken wire, hinges for the doors, and cable ties. That’s it. These same supplies my son can use on his hamster cage! Now how awesome is that?????
Ok, so rabbit hutch figured out...check
hamster cage figured out...check
compost bins figured out...check
chickens set up...check
garden started...check
wait a minute, I’m going to need a trellis for my cucumbers and zucchini and soon green beans...Ahhhhhhh I’ve got old posts that can be used and pieces of fencing that can be attached to posts and put in pots with veggies and they can grow up the trellis. YAYYYY but wait, this may get too top heavy and fall over. Fill 4 pots with the bottoms of the posts and cement and then elevate them on cinder blocks right in front of the living room window. Train plants to grow up it, the vines will cover the fencing, the cement will keep things anchored and they won’t topple over, and the covered trellis will shade the window from the late afternoon sun and keep the room a bit cooler!!!! I’ll lose my beautiful view for the summer, but it’ll be much cooler in the house and I’ll get my view back in the fall.
Can’t wait to see what else the Lord will do, but whatever it is, you can best believe it will be GREAT, AWESOME, MARVELOUS....and PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tasha
Anyway, it gave me the gardening itch. I have not successfully planted a garden in the last 2 years. In 2010 I tried the square foot garden and it just didn’t work out with the type of soil I had delivered and I gave up rather quickly. Then in 2011, the heat was so unbearable and record breaking hot, that though a few things started growing, they quickly died!!!!
Our lawn mower is in the shop and it may be a while before it’s ready...before I can pay for the repairs. So the grass is like knee high and I couldn’t find anyone to till the entire yard for me to let the grass start over and to fill the holes and make everything even again. So, I just looked out with sadness because I couldn’t garden.
But then, I began to pray!!!!
Don’t you know God cares about the things that are on your heart?! Even things you think are minuscule and unimportant. His Word says....casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
We all go through moments where we think God only cares and wants to hear about the big things in our lives that we cannot handle on our own, but surely He wants us to handle the little things we can do for ourselves. However, that is NOT true and contrary to what His Word says. We are to bring all things to Him in prayer and supplication.
So I did!!!
And Wham, He began to give me ideas and such rather quickly. My mother had lots of pots. I quit buying them and gave her all of mine when we moved out here on the land. I figured with all of this land, there would never be another reason for me to need flower pots. However, she saw things differently and continued to grow things in the ground and in pots! My sister told me she would never use the pots and that I could have them and so God began to show me visions of food growing from pots and the one, lonely, broken, wheelbarrow I had. I was able to purchase 2 bags of top soil, 2 bags of manure, and 1 bag of peat moss and I filled everything I had (thought I had...I discovered about 5 more pots on the side of the shed). Then I began to plant...7 asparagus roots, 6 tomato plants, and some basil, zucchini, and cucumber seeds. I hope to get some green beans and watermelon seeds soon. Let me tell you, I had the most fun playing in the dirt and getting my hands dirty. Then I began to look out and remind God of the greater vision He gave me. I can literally see it before me, but it will take the better part of 1 - 1 1/2 years for it to be what I see in my minds eye.
How could I even start with no money? He said “start with what you have”!!
Hmmmm, start with what I have? What do I have? I have chickens...which we are no longer eating the eggs or meat of. My son asked could he sell the eggs and I said sure. He’d need more hens though to make any kind of real profit and to be able to buy their feed. How will we get more hens Lord when everyone is charging $10 and up for them. And then one of our hens went broody....first time ever!!! Then a second hen went broody on us....again, first time ever!!! I have another one that is getting broody, but she has no eggs to set on, so we are hoping she’ll lay soon and set on a few! Ok Lord, that will take care of the more hens issue, but they won’t start laying for 4 months after they hatch. Still NOT an issue, it’s an increase and a blessing!!!
My dream is to literally cover these 2 acres with a new home, a pool, fruit trees and hundreds of raised garden beds...leaving VERY LITTLE grass to be mowed, thus no need for the riding mower, my son can use it strictly for cutting others lawns and making an income for himself. I hope to be able to donate to our local food pantry and women’s shelter, and begin a Pick Your Own business, not to mention the harvest I will have for my own household! I don’t want to have to go to the grocery store for much at all!!!
Ok, so we moved a little shed that was sitting on the side of our house and not being utilized, into the chicken yard. It was hard work, but so well worth it in the end. I plan to purchase nesting boxes in the future that will hold 12 hens, but it also comes with roosting poles for the remainder that aren’t setting on eggs. Well, if I’m going to be doing raised garden beds and trying to do it all natural, I need compost. Hmmm, it takes a long time to compost chicken poop. But rabbit poop is ready to use immediately. Hmmm, my friend just had two rabbits to have babies. Wondered if she’d let me have a boy from one and a girl from the other, that way they can breed later and we can have lots of rabbit poop for composting and gardening!!!! I asked, she said YES!!!!! They’ll be weened in about 4 weeks!
Ok, Lord, we’ve got the chickens situated, we’ve got chicken poop. Now we need a rabbit hutch and a compost bin. Lord I don’t have money for wood to build anything....Show me Lord, You gave the vision, show me!
I look out my back door and my eyes fall on an old small chicken coop my husband built when we had chicks. I say small but it’s about 4 ft high and 8 ft long. This would make a perfect starter compost bin. One side for chicken poop and other compost stuff the other side for rabbit poop and compost stuff. Hmmmmm, I need pallets to make a third bin for finished compost that is ready to use. My friend has that too....I can have them!!!!
WOW Lord!!! You are really working this out.
Ok, back to rabbit hutch, what will I do for that? I went to bed and literally woke up the next morning with another vision. I have peg boards in my shed that someone gave to us. At the time I had no clue what to do with them, but now I visualize a rabbit hutch and for my son a hamster hutch....ahhhhh we can use hamster poop in compost too with the rabbit poop!!! I began drawing! I can’t draw, but I drew a perfect rabbit hutch. Then I began to write down all that I would still have to buy and God began to show me things to use instead of what I had written down and it all came out to be much cheaper!!! In the end when I am finally done, the rabbit hutch will cost me all of $25, for chicken wire, hinges for the doors, and cable ties. That’s it. These same supplies my son can use on his hamster cage! Now how awesome is that?????
Ok, so rabbit hutch figured out...check
hamster cage figured out...check
compost bins figured out...check
chickens set up...check
garden started...check
wait a minute, I’m going to need a trellis for my cucumbers and zucchini and soon green beans...Ahhhhhhh I’ve got old posts that can be used and pieces of fencing that can be attached to posts and put in pots with veggies and they can grow up the trellis. YAYYYY but wait, this may get too top heavy and fall over. Fill 4 pots with the bottoms of the posts and cement and then elevate them on cinder blocks right in front of the living room window. Train plants to grow up it, the vines will cover the fencing, the cement will keep things anchored and they won’t topple over, and the covered trellis will shade the window from the late afternoon sun and keep the room a bit cooler!!!! I’ll lose my beautiful view for the summer, but it’ll be much cooler in the house and I’ll get my view back in the fall.
Can’t wait to see what else the Lord will do, but whatever it is, you can best believe it will be GREAT, AWESOME, MARVELOUS....and PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tasha
4/10/2012
Surrendering IS Humbling
Surrendering IS Humbling
Whoever said surrendering to God was easy, lied. It is a very humbling experience for sure. Just yesterday alone, I surrendered things to God AGAIN about 10 times. Just when I think I'm on a path of surrender, something is said or a thought remembered and BAM it's like I've walked into a brick wall and I have to surrender all over again.
When I find myself worrying or fretting over something, I stop right then and surrender those things again. Asking God to be the Lord over that issue, thought, feeling, emotion, etc. I can't begin to describe the peace that begins to flood me from within.
I lay in bed last night and began to just pray for various people in my life. Giving praise, asking for specifics for each of them and suddenly I had the overwhelming need to surrender stuff and people in my life again. Tears began to stream down my face as it hit me I own NOTHING, not even my own body. I immediately thought of a few scriptures...
Romans 12:1
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice -- the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
1 Corinthians 6:20
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 7:23
23 God purchased you at a high price. Don't be enslaved by the world.
Then it REALLY hit me. There is nothing on this earth that I own. There is absolutely NOTHING that is mine. Now my next thoughts may seem silly as I write them out, but I lay there and started thinking about things I've purchased and realized that not even those things are mine. I OWN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!! It all belongs to God. I belong to God.
AND THEN....surrendering became easy. The words began to flow from my heart as I gave things back to the Lord that were His to begin with. My children are not mine. They were His all along and He only loaned them to me to nurture and prepare for His glory and purpose. I gave Him my husband as well as many other family members and I realized He loves them far more than I EVER could. He does not desire for any of them to be lost. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.
He loves them with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
The more I surrendered stuff, people, me to the Lord, the harder the tears fell and the more free and at peace I felt. The more I let go, the more I began to seek His forgiveness for MY mess and I was able to also feel His forgiveness take over me to the point I was able to forgive others. I could think of someone and things they did or said to me in the past and I was not angry with just the thought of them, but my heart was filled with compassion towards them. It is seriously a point when you realize that person did hurt you but ultimately it was against heaven first that they sinned and grieved the Holy Spirit. The more I came to that realization, the more Ephesians 6:12 became more real and clear to me. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those powers of darkness that rule this world and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
C L E A N S I N G
F R E E I N G H U M B L I N G
R E F R E S H I N G
My goodness that seems to me, to be a lifesaver right there!!! The nugget we should all be aiming for. I'm discovering a new side of God that was there all along. I side I'm loving and so thankful for.
Does this mean I will never worry, fret, or take back what I have already given to Him? No, that would mean I'm not human. However, I have taken a step in the right direction of being able to trust my Savior.
Lord, I pray that something I have shared will be the catapult that launches someone else that much closer to You. I pray that you will continue to heal my heart and help me to surrender daily my "rights" to You. May I never get so cocky to believe that I am my own and can do as I so choose. May I never forget where I've been, nor what You are bringing me through. May what I experience in life today be used to draw others to You and help them to have understanding and come into a more intimate relationship with You.
Thank You for loving me enough to be patient with me and wait for me to "come to my senses". Forgive my cockiness of not realizing that though I did not physically wander away I was still a prodigal in my thoughts. Thank You for seeing me afar off and running to me with out stretched arms welcoming back in to your fold. Your love is truly greater and higher than I could ever imagine. May I ever remain humble, grateful for YOU and who YOU are!!!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Whoever said surrendering to God was easy, lied. It is a very humbling experience for sure. Just yesterday alone, I surrendered things to God AGAIN about 10 times. Just when I think I'm on a path of surrender, something is said or a thought remembered and BAM it's like I've walked into a brick wall and I have to surrender all over again.
When I find myself worrying or fretting over something, I stop right then and surrender those things again. Asking God to be the Lord over that issue, thought, feeling, emotion, etc. I can't begin to describe the peace that begins to flood me from within.
I lay in bed last night and began to just pray for various people in my life. Giving praise, asking for specifics for each of them and suddenly I had the overwhelming need to surrender stuff and people in my life again. Tears began to stream down my face as it hit me I own NOTHING, not even my own body. I immediately thought of a few scriptures...
Romans 12:1
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice -- the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
1 Corinthians 6:20
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 7:23
23 God purchased you at a high price. Don't be enslaved by the world.
Then it REALLY hit me. There is nothing on this earth that I own. There is absolutely NOTHING that is mine. Now my next thoughts may seem silly as I write them out, but I lay there and started thinking about things I've purchased and realized that not even those things are mine. I OWN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!! It all belongs to God. I belong to God.
AND THEN....surrendering became easy. The words began to flow from my heart as I gave things back to the Lord that were His to begin with. My children are not mine. They were His all along and He only loaned them to me to nurture and prepare for His glory and purpose. I gave Him my husband as well as many other family members and I realized He loves them far more than I EVER could. He does not desire for any of them to be lost. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.
He loves them with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
The more I surrendered stuff, people, me to the Lord, the harder the tears fell and the more free and at peace I felt. The more I let go, the more I began to seek His forgiveness for MY mess and I was able to also feel His forgiveness take over me to the point I was able to forgive others. I could think of someone and things they did or said to me in the past and I was not angry with just the thought of them, but my heart was filled with compassion towards them. It is seriously a point when you realize that person did hurt you but ultimately it was against heaven first that they sinned and grieved the Holy Spirit. The more I came to that realization, the more Ephesians 6:12 became more real and clear to me. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those powers of darkness that rule this world and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
C L E A N S I N G
F R E E I N G H U M B L I N G
R E F R E S H I N G
My goodness that seems to me, to be a lifesaver right there!!! The nugget we should all be aiming for. I'm discovering a new side of God that was there all along. I side I'm loving and so thankful for.
Does this mean I will never worry, fret, or take back what I have already given to Him? No, that would mean I'm not human. However, I have taken a step in the right direction of being able to trust my Savior.
Lord, I pray that something I have shared will be the catapult that launches someone else that much closer to You. I pray that you will continue to heal my heart and help me to surrender daily my "rights" to You. May I never get so cocky to believe that I am my own and can do as I so choose. May I never forget where I've been, nor what You are bringing me through. May what I experience in life today be used to draw others to You and help them to have understanding and come into a more intimate relationship with You.
Thank You for loving me enough to be patient with me and wait for me to "come to my senses". Forgive my cockiness of not realizing that though I did not physically wander away I was still a prodigal in my thoughts. Thank You for seeing me afar off and running to me with out stretched arms welcoming back in to your fold. Your love is truly greater and higher than I could ever imagine. May I ever remain humble, grateful for YOU and who YOU are!!!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
At What Point...
Did I stop trusting and believing in my Savior? When did I start
bringing Him only "trivial" prayers and quit believing Him for ALL my
needs and prayers?
That is the question I am pondering at this point and will be praying
and fasting for an answer in the days to come. I can recall the many
great blessings He has done in our lives in the last 6 years, so I know
He is a good and loving God and an awesome provider. I know He hears me
and I know He answers me.
Just not sure WHAT event took place in my life that caused me to shift so drastically. Whatever it was, I want to pinpoint it and get back on the narrow road.
Just not sure WHAT event took place in my life that caused me to shift so drastically. Whatever it was, I want to pinpoint it and get back on the narrow road.
What got me to thinking of all of this was listening to some sweet
friends today share their testimony on how God provided the land and
finances for them to build their beautiful home they are in now and the
awesome land it sits on. As I listened, my heart was stirred and I
began to ask the Lord when did things shift for me.
They have also shared with me how God restored their marriage and the
testimony from that as well has just put me over the top with questions
to bring before the Lord. So many questions and I need the answers. I
believe this is a pivotal moment in my walk with Christ and reclaiming
some things and areas I so easily handed over to the enemy.
I can't wait to see how God answers. I truly believe the Lord will knock my socks off with His answers and revelations!!!
Be Blessed!
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Blessing of Giving
I got a text message from a sweet friend whose family has had a hard
time this year with her husband getting laid off from a job he held for
almost 17 years. God has truly sustained them through the hard times
and given them bountiful blessings when they least expected.
Last night was no exception. She said to me just days ago that they had no extra money, food was running low and she was beyond in the dumps because of the lack. I could totally understand her heart and began to pray for her. On Thursday, while fasting, I mostly prayed for her and her family.
They went to a Christmas church gathering last night and God laid it upon one of the members hearts to bless her family. She, not knowing what took place, her husband drove straight to the grocery store for some much needed groceries. To her surprise and yet humble and thankful heart, they had no food for supper last night until God in His infinite wisdom, grace, and mercy, provided it.
I will continue to pray for their provisions, much as I do for our own. God is faithful and able to supply all our needs.
Last night was no exception. She said to me just days ago that they had no extra money, food was running low and she was beyond in the dumps because of the lack. I could totally understand her heart and began to pray for her. On Thursday, while fasting, I mostly prayed for her and her family.
They went to a Christmas church gathering last night and God laid it upon one of the members hearts to bless her family. She, not knowing what took place, her husband drove straight to the grocery store for some much needed groceries. To her surprise and yet humble and thankful heart, they had no food for supper last night until God in His infinite wisdom, grace, and mercy, provided it.
I will continue to pray for their provisions, much as I do for our own. God is faithful and able to supply all our needs.
Lord I thank You for meeting the needs of my friends and their family.
Thank You for meeting my family's needs as well. We are so ever
grateful and thankful for Your provisions and Your love for/toward us.
Another Fast of His Choosing
It's been a long time since I've fasted. A long time since I've felt
led by the Lord. I didn't wake up with that in mind yesterday, but as I
prayed for a friend yesterday, I felt the Lord tugging my heart to
invite her to join me in a fast.
Hmmmmm, I didn't at first. I totally did my best to ignore the nudging and almost ended the conversation. However, God just doesn't let things go that easily.
So I invited her to join me in a fast.
We are still working out the logistics, the day(s) we will fast and because she gets sick easily, she will only fast a meal, but the Lord is clearly leading me to fast according to His timing. So many things the Lord has begun to lay on my heart to pray for during our time of fasting and praying. I need to begin a list of those things before I can no longer remember.
Hmmmmm, I didn't at first. I totally did my best to ignore the nudging and almost ended the conversation. However, God just doesn't let things go that easily.
So I invited her to join me in a fast.
We are still working out the logistics, the day(s) we will fast and because she gets sick easily, she will only fast a meal, but the Lord is clearly leading me to fast according to His timing. So many things the Lord has begun to lay on my heart to pray for during our time of fasting and praying. I need to begin a list of those things before I can no longer remember.
Over the last few days, the Lord has also begun to rekindle my heart to
stand for my marriage. Yes, by all accounts, I can divorce Biblically.
Yet, the Lord has constantly turned my heart away from divorce each
time I have tried to make that step. There are times I don't want to
desire this man. This man that has hurt me so deeply. And yet, as I
reminisce about our early years, I remember a man I fell in love with.
No, I didn't pray before we married. I was far from saved. I had no
idea to pray for my future mate. But the day we said I do, the Lord was
present and in the midst of that day and our lives. So, if I'm honest
with myself and my God, I want my marriage to be restored. I want our
lives to be transformed for the glory of the Lord. A testimony of God's
strength and power and I want to encourage others to stand for their
marriages as well.
In the meantime, if you feel led, pray for God's wisdom and direction in
my life and the lives of my family. I leave you with this neat story
from Moody Radio. A Marriage Carol It has blessed me, I pray it blesses you as well.
My Prayer Today...
Today I was able to open His Word. I first began with some music that
really spoke the words of my heart. Restore Me by Anthony Evans and
Lifeline by Mandisa. It is lightening to be able to purge your thoughts
and heart to the Lord. The words of both of these songs helped me to do
just that.
I then looked up scriptures to read when feeling lost Romans 8:28-39...hurry, go check it out.
As for Psalm 40, I read through it and my heart felt lightened. It truly
is my prayer today. If you too are feeling a bit melancholy or lost, I
pray that as you read it, you will make it your hearts cry today as
well. If there is one thing I know, even when I don't feel like God is
near, He is. I KNOW He is because I'm still here!!!!
Now, off to do more job applications and hopefully get some sewing done today.
Be Blessed!!
Be Blessed!!
1 For the choir director: A psalm of David. I waited patiently for the
LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.2 He lifted me out
of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on
solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.3 He has given me a new
song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has
done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the LORD.4 Oh, the
joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud,
or in those who worship idols.5 O LORD my God, you have done many
miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried
to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of
them.6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have
made me listen, I finally understand -- you don't require burnt
offerings or sin offerings.7 Then I said, "Look, I have come. And this
has been written about me in your scroll:8 I take joy in doing your
will, my God, for your law is written on my heart."9 I have told all
your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as
you, O LORD, well know.10 I have not kept this good news hidden in my
heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have
told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and
faithfulness.11 LORD, don't hold back your tender mercies from me. My
only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness.12 For troubles
surround me -- too many to count! They pile up so high I can't see my
way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost
all my courage.13 Please, LORD, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help
me.14 May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame.
May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.15
Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, "Aha! We've got him
now!"16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness.
May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is
great!"17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about
me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God.
In Need of A Savior,
Tasha
12/15/2011
Trusting God
It's been a long time since I've fasted. A long time since I've felt led by the Lord. I didn't wake up with that in mind yesterday, but as I prayed for a friend yesterday, I felt the Lord tugging my heart to invite her to join me in a fast.
Hmmmmm, I didn't at first. I totally did my best to ignore the nudging and almost ended the conversation. However, God just doesn't let things go that easily.
So I invited her to join me in a fast.
We are still working out the logistics, the day(s) we will fast and because she gets sick easily, she will only fast a meal, but the Lord is clearly leading me to fast according to His timing. So many things the Lord has begun to lay on my heart to pray for during our time of fasting and praying. I need to begin a list of those things before I can no longer remember.
Over the last few days, the Lord has also begun to rekindle my heart to stand for my marriage. Yes, by all accounts, I can divorce Biblically. Yet, the Lord has constantly turned my heart away from divorce each time I have tried to make that step. There are times I don't want to desire this man. This man that has hurt me so deeply. And yet, as I reminisce about our early years, I remember a man I fell in love with. No, I didn't pray before we married. I was far from saved. I had no idea to pray for my future mate. But the day we said I do, the Lord was present and in the midst of that day and our lives. So, if I'm honest with myself and my God, I want my marriage to be restored. I want our lives to be transformed for the glory of the Lord. A testimony of God's strength and power and I want to encourage others to stand for their marriages as well.
In the meantime, if you feel led, pray for God's wisdom and direction in my life and the lives of my family. I leave you with this neat story from Moody Radio. A Marriage Carol It has blessed me, I pray it blesses you as well.
11/19/2011
A Journey Out of That Pit...
I'd like to invite you into my heart, my life, my journey. I've described a darkness that I've been in that is so oppressive and dark that my very life seems as though it would be snuffed out and at my own hands at that.
I feel a moment of a glimmer of light and within days, sometimes hours, I can be right back in that pit. I've long since named it, but naming something doesn't mean you get the full meaning of what it is you've named. (I know it seems I'm going in circles, but stay with me.)
Just a few days ago, I shared how God allowed me to come up out of the despair of depression and darkness. I felt victorious, as we all should when God brings us through something. However, I didn't know that just a day or two later I would plunge head first back into that pit. It started with a thought and I brushed it off. Then I got a text message about something one of my kids put on Facebook. (The enemy KNOWS just what it is that will send you over the edge. He KNOWS how to push your buttons). Then I got another message about something I had been praying for regarding one of my daughters and saw things slipping from my grip. I began to speak doubt to myself. I began to believe lies and replace them for God's truths. I sent my kids away to my sisters...they were enjoying a sleep over they thought, while I was sinking in the miry clay.
But God does NOT desire any of us to be defeated. He sacrificed someone so great to conquer defeat so that we wouldn't be subjected to it.
I don't know about any of you, but when I'm depressed, I don't want to be around anyone. I don't want to talk to anyone. I just want to be left alone. However, God had other plans for me today. My kids wanted to go to the mall. Anyone that knows me, knows I absolutely loath the mall. I can't explain it, but I HATE THE MALL. I totally dislike shopping, unless it's for sewing stuff or books. So I dropped them off at the mall for an all day excursion and I went to the library, a Christian book store, and JoAnn's Fabric. LOL
I absolutely had no money to spare, but went to "window shop". I looked and looked and looked all around. Enjoying the sights in Mardel's (the Christian book store). I read quotes on cups, plates, pictures, t-shirts, I looked at their Christmas items and wandered through the kids section. I remember walking and looking at the big wall art and reading the scriptures and saying aloud to Lord, I want this freedom that these quotes speak of. I began crying silent tears in regards to the freedom that evades me, and begging God to help me do something. I said "I know Your word says I can have life more abundantly, I don't want to wait to get to heaven to have it, that's not what Your word promises. I don't want to live in hell on earth before I get to enjoy Your glory in heaven. I want it to manifest here on earth and be magnified in heaven!!!!!
I then went to browse the books. They have expensive books, but they also have bargain books sometimes for $1, $3, $5, and so forth. I saw a few things that caught my eye, but knew I didn't have the funds to buy any of them. So I just grazed the pages of some of them. Then it happened, my eye caught sight of a book for $8. I read the title again. I had heard her do a Bible study on a television show regarding this same book. I read the title again and immediately snatched up the LAST book and put it in my basket. I took the $8 from my grocery money to buy this book.
Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore.
This woman is a phenomenal teacher and so real and down to earth. I've seen/heard her in person several times and each time I am always riveted in my seat listening to her speak.
I began reading her book and I hardly ever read the acknowledgements or foreword, but tonight I read even that. Then I began to pray and pour my heart out to God. Lord, You can use any song, any person, any book to bring me out of this pit. I just pray You get me out of the pit. I read chapter 1 and FINALLY I can't put things into some semblance of understanding for MYSELF and not feel like I'm going crazy!!!! SHE GETS THIS PIT THING!!!!!!!!!!! It's easy for us to see someone going through something and share what we would do, say, think, etc. It's a whole different story when someone has walked the road and wore the shoes!
So, on that note, I welcome you on this journey I'm taking. Don't bash, don't criticize, don't belittle, but PLEASE PRAY!!! I will share as much as the Lord allows, and I pray someone else gets out of this pit right along side me. I wish there were several of us reading this together, but maybe this is a journey God has me on by myself...and for good reason.
I'll share what I've learned from chapter 1 in tomorrow's post, but for now, I thank you for allowing me to be blunt and honest!!! I'm ready to strip off the masks and tell it like it is!
I feel a moment of a glimmer of light and within days, sometimes hours, I can be right back in that pit. I've long since named it, but naming something doesn't mean you get the full meaning of what it is you've named. (I know it seems I'm going in circles, but stay with me.)
Just a few days ago, I shared how God allowed me to come up out of the despair of depression and darkness. I felt victorious, as we all should when God brings us through something. However, I didn't know that just a day or two later I would plunge head first back into that pit. It started with a thought and I brushed it off. Then I got a text message about something one of my kids put on Facebook. (The enemy KNOWS just what it is that will send you over the edge. He KNOWS how to push your buttons). Then I got another message about something I had been praying for regarding one of my daughters and saw things slipping from my grip. I began to speak doubt to myself. I began to believe lies and replace them for God's truths. I sent my kids away to my sisters...they were enjoying a sleep over they thought, while I was sinking in the miry clay.
But God does NOT desire any of us to be defeated. He sacrificed someone so great to conquer defeat so that we wouldn't be subjected to it.
I don't know about any of you, but when I'm depressed, I don't want to be around anyone. I don't want to talk to anyone. I just want to be left alone. However, God had other plans for me today. My kids wanted to go to the mall. Anyone that knows me, knows I absolutely loath the mall. I can't explain it, but I HATE THE MALL. I totally dislike shopping, unless it's for sewing stuff or books. So I dropped them off at the mall for an all day excursion and I went to the library, a Christian book store, and JoAnn's Fabric. LOL
I absolutely had no money to spare, but went to "window shop". I looked and looked and looked all around. Enjoying the sights in Mardel's (the Christian book store). I read quotes on cups, plates, pictures, t-shirts, I looked at their Christmas items and wandered through the kids section. I remember walking and looking at the big wall art and reading the scriptures and saying aloud to Lord, I want this freedom that these quotes speak of. I began crying silent tears in regards to the freedom that evades me, and begging God to help me do something. I said "I know Your word says I can have life more abundantly, I don't want to wait to get to heaven to have it, that's not what Your word promises. I don't want to live in hell on earth before I get to enjoy Your glory in heaven. I want it to manifest here on earth and be magnified in heaven!!!!!
I then went to browse the books. They have expensive books, but they also have bargain books sometimes for $1, $3, $5, and so forth. I saw a few things that caught my eye, but knew I didn't have the funds to buy any of them. So I just grazed the pages of some of them. Then it happened, my eye caught sight of a book for $8. I read the title again. I had heard her do a Bible study on a television show regarding this same book. I read the title again and immediately snatched up the LAST book and put it in my basket. I took the $8 from my grocery money to buy this book.
Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore.
This woman is a phenomenal teacher and so real and down to earth. I've seen/heard her in person several times and each time I am always riveted in my seat listening to her speak.
I began reading her book and I hardly ever read the acknowledgements or foreword, but tonight I read even that. Then I began to pray and pour my heart out to God. Lord, You can use any song, any person, any book to bring me out of this pit. I just pray You get me out of the pit. I read chapter 1 and FINALLY I can't put things into some semblance of understanding for MYSELF and not feel like I'm going crazy!!!! SHE GETS THIS PIT THING!!!!!!!!!!! It's easy for us to see someone going through something and share what we would do, say, think, etc. It's a whole different story when someone has walked the road and wore the shoes!
So, on that note, I welcome you on this journey I'm taking. Don't bash, don't criticize, don't belittle, but PLEASE PRAY!!! I will share as much as the Lord allows, and I pray someone else gets out of this pit right along side me. I wish there were several of us reading this together, but maybe this is a journey God has me on by myself...and for good reason.
I'll share what I've learned from chapter 1 in tomorrow's post, but for now, I thank you for allowing me to be blunt and honest!!! I'm ready to strip off the masks and tell it like it is!
11/15/2011
I Will Not Be Moved...
This morning, I awoke with the words of a song in my heart. I don't recall ever really listening to this song. I do recall hearing it on the radio. However, these words were bouncing around in my heart AND thoughts and I looked it up on YouTube.
I also prayed today!!!!!! I actually formulated my heartfelt thoughts into words and brought them before the Lord. I can't describe to you how good that felt. It was refreshing.
I pray you enjoy the words to this song! I am not so into the music as I am the words. ;-)
I also prayed today!!!!!! I actually formulated my heartfelt thoughts into words and brought them before the Lord. I can't describe to you how good that felt. It was refreshing.
I pray you enjoy the words to this song! I am not so into the music as I am the words. ;-)
Light.....After Great Darkness
I FINALLY saw the Light of Hope!!!
I haven't been able to read the Word in over 2 1/2 weeks. Hadn't been able to even open it. Couldn't fully understand why this great attack on me.
Until last night!!!
Well, let me back up. Yesterday morning I took my Bible outside and sat down and actually read about 3 passages in Psalms. That was all I could muster. I prayed briefly and that was about all I could muster. Tinkered on the piano a bit and cried out to God in great anguish.
Took my son to karate and prayed off and on while waiting in the car for an hour.
Got home and told the kids to get their Bibles. We haven't read in 2 1/2 weeks mind you. So kids are looking at me a bit strange. I don't feel like it, but I forge ahead. I don't "feel" like doing this. I don't "feel" like reading or praying. But I push forward even if it's only 5 min.
We briefly talked about relationship with God and how we (those of us in the family that don't have a relationship with God) have basically been pimping God. Do our duty on Sunday and then wait with our hand out the remainder of the week expecting to be lavished with blessings and get angry when we aren't. (another blog post on that later)
Then I began to share with them about this dark time. Why I have been so quiet, afraid, and in tears constantly. Fear of the visions I see. Fear of what I might do to myself. Quiet because I saw no hope and tears because that was all I could bring myself to do, along with begging God to please save me and protect me or else I would surely die.
As I was sharing with them, God began to bring to my rememberance a conversation I had 3 weeks ago. We were talking about fighting for our families and praying for our children that are lost and pushing God further away. I mentioned that I had challenged the enemy the day before. Told him he'd have to kill me before I allowed one of my children to be snared by him. I reminded God of all the promises He gave me for my family and again told the devil he could not have my family and the only way he would get them would be to kill me.
I was told I should never challenge the enemy that way, he will surely do all he can to defeat me. I said if we don't challenge him then we are saying our God has no power and from all I've read, my God has ALL power and ALL things are UNDER His feet. The enemy is in subjection to Him!!!
I forgot about that prayer. I've been begging God to help me understand why I was going through this dark time and to draw me out of it. I can't explain it any better than I have been deathly afraid my time was drawing nigh and that it would be at my own hands.
Little did I realize I would forget that conversation and less than a week later, the enemy began his attack on me and tried to take me out. LITERALLY
Since remembering that conversation and sharing it with the kids, I have felt a heaviness lift off me. I'm cautious but NOT defeated!!!!! For the first time in weeks I felt a ray of hope and saw a glimmer of light!!! It has been a long, hard, rough couple of weeks, but as I think about it, it seems as if it were a wilderness moment. You know in Matthew 3:17 the voice of God declares after Jesus has been baptized, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." and IMMEDIATELY the next thing we see in Matthew 4:1 is that Jesus is led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. I could feel heaviness all around me, but no one would be there. I could hear movement all around me, but I would be the only one in the room. The sad thing is I would cower in my bed, not fearful of the enemy and his minions that may have been lurking about, but I was afraid of what I would do to myself. I was too weak to "pray" and so I'd just lay here in bed and cry out Lord if You don't save me, I won't be saved. If you don't rescue me, the enemy will win because I am not strong enough to fight this. Sometimes it would just be Lord Help ME!
But last night, something in the Spiritual realm happened. As I shared and remembered, I no longer felt heavy or defeated. The air in the room began to lighten up. I smiled for the first time last night and truly felt it.
But God is greater!
Immediately after sharing with the kids, God put a song upon my heart. I pray this song blesses you as it did me. I sat here listening to it with tears streaming down my face. God has not put a song on my heart in over 2 weeks. Every morning I would wake up with the words of a song in my head and I'd look for it on youtube and that would be my song for the day. I would go have my quiet time and finish up with praise or worship to the particular song God gave me for the day. I had not had that until last night and this is what He gave me!!! Enjoy!
11/07/2011
I Am Still Around
It's been several days since I've blogged and I've missed it. It can be very daunting to blog when you feel you really don't have much to say to inspire or encourage others and that is what I'd like my blog to be about...as well as just showing the real side of who I am.
I'll try to give you a "brief" run down of what's going on in my world without boring you to death, or just maybe I will bore you...sorry in advance. ;-)
We've been dealing with a nasty stomach bug that hit my house twice in two weeks. SO NOT FUN!!! However, we are all on the mend now. I hadn't done much sewing to begin with in the past month and the illness didn't help much either. I've made some decisions in the past 20 days. I'm closing my online shop. I'll actually NOT renew my web thing-a-ma-jig. I will make a few business cards and as I give items away for gifts, I will include a card with it and people can come to my blog to see pics (I'll put up later) to see some of the things I've made. I just don't feel motivated any longer to do mass sewing on a continuous basis. I don't mind doing mass sewing for a craft fair or bazaar, but aside from that, it takes all the fun out of it for me and I want it to still remain enjoyable. So I guess that answered my question....I am NOT cut out for being a salesman. Not in the sense of having a shop.
What I really want to do (I don't think any of my friends or family know this) is teach others to sew, even if it's just basic things. I wish I could start a sewing studio, set up with 5-8 machines at all times and teach beginning sewing. Then I wonder, do people really want to learn how to sew? I'm looking into classes at our local homeschool coop as a trial test. I just wish I had a better place to set up....NOT JoAnn Fabrics. That's my favorite place to shop, but I don't want to deal with their fees and such. If I did, I'd basically be making pennies on the dollar....and they'd be taking the dollars. :-/
I know I have to start somewhere, but as a single mama, I need to be able to bring something home with which to feed my children with.
Anyway, I've also been asked to consider doing a devotional. I'm just wondering, do I have ANYTHING to put in a devotional? With ALL the thousands out there, WHO would want mine? Would I gear it towards single moms? And I'm seriously NOT articulate with my words! My mother was a word person. She loved all things words and learning. I know just enough to get me in trouble!!! More decisions which to pray about...
And I don't have to tell you, but I will, I'm struggling in my prayer life. Struggling because I see God at work in my life, but when I look at the massive poverty we still live in and the thought of having to go back to a 9 to 5 in order to provide for my children, it is daunting and I get discouraged. I'm not even sure which way to pray at times and yet, I keep trudging along...my children are watching.
On to other news.....
The other night I watched a really good and interesting documentary. Forks Over Knives Now it got me to thinking AGAIN about what we eat. I had gone the route of trying vegetarian full force and after about 21 days, I went back to my old habits. Then just this year we gave it a go again, only this time I decided we would only have meet a few times a week. That went well for a while as well, but yet again, I got lazy and went back to what I was comfortable with. You know when you know something and are comfortable with it, it doesn't take much brain power to crank out a weekly or monthly menu and shop accordingly and cook accordingly. It's a serious no brainer, but when you are switching to something so drastically unfamiliar, it takes A LOT of brain power and well, I got lazy!!!
So after watching this documentary, I began to THINK again. I have heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, high cholesterol, and now milk (I LOVE MILK) is doing a number on my stomach. Now I totally dig veggies. I enjoy them more than meat, so it's not the meat per say that I'm having an issue with giving up. I totally LOVE dairy and eggs. Yet this just may be one of the main culprits contributing to my health issues. Knowing that, I still want my dairy and eggs. I can go without milk...sigh.
I can learn to cook with almond or coconut milk, no biggie. However, I don't know how to go without my cheeses, butter, and eggs!!!! Well, I have been substituting coconut oil for butter whenever possible...not sure how to do that in baking. OK, so that leaves me the cheese, eggs, and baking with butter dilemma. I tried one of those cheese substitutes Daiya......ummm NO!!!! What happens when I'm craving an omelet? It doesn't happen often, but we have chickens in our chicken coop and they lay beautiful eggs. Do I give in to that craving every now and then? What happens when I want lasagna or a casserole that calls for cheddar cheese? Or what about Mac N Cheese? OH MY WORD!!!!!!! I think this might be a bit easier if I had a nearby vegan friend that I could go to her house and sample her food. UGHHH
Well, I've given myself until Jan 1, 2012 and I will switch over completely. I have until then to find things I like to substitute the things I love. Until then, I am gradually making changes. I bought almond milk for cooking, not sure what to drink when I have a cookie....:-/ I'm already using coconut oil where I can. I've switched from whites...flour, sugar, pasta, and rice. Any vegans following me? Got any pointers? I have also got to get my garden tilled and begin to compost and fertilize it now so it will be good and ready to go come spring. Another sad thing is I JUST GOT ALL MY RECIPES CATEGORIZED AND IN 1 BINDER!!!!! After 3 years I got it done last month and NOW I will have to redo it with vegan recipes. arghhhhhhh ughhhhhhhh
However, I know this is best for my health, so I will do it. I'm over 260 pounds and I've got over 110 pounds to lose. Oh My Word...seeing that just made me realize, I'm carrying a whole extra person on me. No wonder I'm always so tired and lethargic and my heart races out of my chest!!! Those are some sick numbers. I've got to be serious about this whole thing...I do want to live a long life and enjoy grandchildren someday. I can't do that if I'm in the grave because I enjoyed ALL of the things I love about food.
Anyway, that's what's going on in my world. Ohhhh, and I am still considering moving. I'm thinking Arkansas or Tennessee. Just not sure when. My youngest will be 18 in 2 years. So then it will just be me moving if he leaves the nest at that age. We shall see, only God knows!!
I'll try to give you a "brief" run down of what's going on in my world without boring you to death, or just maybe I will bore you...sorry in advance. ;-)
We've been dealing with a nasty stomach bug that hit my house twice in two weeks. SO NOT FUN!!! However, we are all on the mend now. I hadn't done much sewing to begin with in the past month and the illness didn't help much either. I've made some decisions in the past 20 days. I'm closing my online shop. I'll actually NOT renew my web thing-a-ma-jig. I will make a few business cards and as I give items away for gifts, I will include a card with it and people can come to my blog to see pics (I'll put up later) to see some of the things I've made. I just don't feel motivated any longer to do mass sewing on a continuous basis. I don't mind doing mass sewing for a craft fair or bazaar, but aside from that, it takes all the fun out of it for me and I want it to still remain enjoyable. So I guess that answered my question....I am NOT cut out for being a salesman. Not in the sense of having a shop.
What I really want to do (I don't think any of my friends or family know this) is teach others to sew, even if it's just basic things. I wish I could start a sewing studio, set up with 5-8 machines at all times and teach beginning sewing. Then I wonder, do people really want to learn how to sew? I'm looking into classes at our local homeschool coop as a trial test. I just wish I had a better place to set up....NOT JoAnn Fabrics. That's my favorite place to shop, but I don't want to deal with their fees and such. If I did, I'd basically be making pennies on the dollar....and they'd be taking the dollars. :-/
I know I have to start somewhere, but as a single mama, I need to be able to bring something home with which to feed my children with.
Anyway, I've also been asked to consider doing a devotional. I'm just wondering, do I have ANYTHING to put in a devotional? With ALL the thousands out there, WHO would want mine? Would I gear it towards single moms? And I'm seriously NOT articulate with my words! My mother was a word person. She loved all things words and learning. I know just enough to get me in trouble!!! More decisions which to pray about...
And I don't have to tell you, but I will, I'm struggling in my prayer life. Struggling because I see God at work in my life, but when I look at the massive poverty we still live in and the thought of having to go back to a 9 to 5 in order to provide for my children, it is daunting and I get discouraged. I'm not even sure which way to pray at times and yet, I keep trudging along...my children are watching.
On to other news.....
The other night I watched a really good and interesting documentary. Forks Over Knives Now it got me to thinking AGAIN about what we eat. I had gone the route of trying vegetarian full force and after about 21 days, I went back to my old habits. Then just this year we gave it a go again, only this time I decided we would only have meet a few times a week. That went well for a while as well, but yet again, I got lazy and went back to what I was comfortable with. You know when you know something and are comfortable with it, it doesn't take much brain power to crank out a weekly or monthly menu and shop accordingly and cook accordingly. It's a serious no brainer, but when you are switching to something so drastically unfamiliar, it takes A LOT of brain power and well, I got lazy!!!
So after watching this documentary, I began to THINK again. I have heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, high cholesterol, and now milk (I LOVE MILK) is doing a number on my stomach. Now I totally dig veggies. I enjoy them more than meat, so it's not the meat per say that I'm having an issue with giving up. I totally LOVE dairy and eggs. Yet this just may be one of the main culprits contributing to my health issues. Knowing that, I still want my dairy and eggs. I can go without milk...sigh.
I can learn to cook with almond or coconut milk, no biggie. However, I don't know how to go without my cheeses, butter, and eggs!!!! Well, I have been substituting coconut oil for butter whenever possible...not sure how to do that in baking. OK, so that leaves me the cheese, eggs, and baking with butter dilemma. I tried one of those cheese substitutes Daiya......ummm NO!!!! What happens when I'm craving an omelet? It doesn't happen often, but we have chickens in our chicken coop and they lay beautiful eggs. Do I give in to that craving every now and then? What happens when I want lasagna or a casserole that calls for cheddar cheese? Or what about Mac N Cheese? OH MY WORD!!!!!!! I think this might be a bit easier if I had a nearby vegan friend that I could go to her house and sample her food. UGHHH
Well, I've given myself until Jan 1, 2012 and I will switch over completely. I have until then to find things I like to substitute the things I love. Until then, I am gradually making changes. I bought almond milk for cooking, not sure what to drink when I have a cookie....:-/ I'm already using coconut oil where I can. I've switched from whites...flour, sugar, pasta, and rice. Any vegans following me? Got any pointers? I have also got to get my garden tilled and begin to compost and fertilize it now so it will be good and ready to go come spring. Another sad thing is I JUST GOT ALL MY RECIPES CATEGORIZED AND IN 1 BINDER!!!!! After 3 years I got it done last month and NOW I will have to redo it with vegan recipes. arghhhhhhh ughhhhhhhh
However, I know this is best for my health, so I will do it. I'm over 260 pounds and I've got over 110 pounds to lose. Oh My Word...seeing that just made me realize, I'm carrying a whole extra person on me. No wonder I'm always so tired and lethargic and my heart races out of my chest!!! Those are some sick numbers. I've got to be serious about this whole thing...I do want to live a long life and enjoy grandchildren someday. I can't do that if I'm in the grave because I enjoyed ALL of the things I love about food.
Anyway, that's what's going on in my world. Ohhhh, and I am still considering moving. I'm thinking Arkansas or Tennessee. Just not sure when. My youngest will be 18 in 2 years. So then it will just be me moving if he leaves the nest at that age. We shall see, only God knows!!
10/04/2011
A Heavy Heart...
Because of decisions made by a family member that are effecting not only him and his girlfriend, our entire family and extended family is suffering from heavy hearts today. Would you just keep us in prayer whenever we come to mind?
Pray for the innocent life of this unborn man child that asked for none of this and yet will be dealt it anyway. Pray for God's mercy and for a change of heart, but most of all for God's will to be done. This is not a surprise to him, only to us and it hurts more than words can express.
Pray for the innocent life of this unborn man child that asked for none of this and yet will be dealt it anyway. Pray for God's mercy and for a change of heart, but most of all for God's will to be done. This is not a surprise to him, only to us and it hurts more than words can express.
6/03/2011
It's official
I really prayed and hoped it wouldn't be so, but it is. The van has got to go in the shop. Now we have another dilemma....I can make payments on it, but it will have to remain at the transmission shop until fully paid for. We're talking $2000.00!!!!! YIKES
The other dilemma is transportation until I get mine back. I have none. I also have no idea what we'll do until I can pay for it.
Ummmmmmmmmm trying to stand on the truth of God's faithfulness and provision. I don't know how, but He will provide.
The other dilemma is transportation until I get mine back. I have none. I also have no idea what we'll do until I can pay for it.
Ummmmmmmmmm trying to stand on the truth of God's faithfulness and provision. I don't know how, but He will provide.
5/31/2011
I lied...
There I said it. I confess and admit it, I lied. It took me 10 months to come to that realization and then admit it.
Ten months ago I "really thought" I heard the Lord's leading in quitting my job and working closer to home for less pay and so on and so on. It is still my greatest desire to be closer to home, but I did things in my own timing and not the Lords.
As I have been examining myself and asking the Lord to examine my heart over the last month, I've come to understand what exactly took place.
This thing called grief (deep sorrow, great distress); it effects people in many different ways. When my father passed, I threw myself into my family and homemaking. I was dealing with the loss, but at my pace. I allowed myself those moments of depression that caused me to sleep late in the day or cry late into the night. I just allowed it to sweep over me however it chose to. It took me 5 years to be able to say his name without crying. I've never known grief such as that. Then my husband left and there was grief with that, but nothing compared to my father's death. I suppose because the Lord had been preparing me through dreams and visions. I grieved, but I dealt with it.
Then my mother passed and it hit me like a ton of bricks. The grief from losing my mother caused the very breath within me to appear to stop. And just months after that, my husband left again. I was hit with a double whammy of devastation that caused my heart to cease to beat and the life within me to dry up. I forgot how to breath. I forgot how to truly do anything of meaning. I did things out of rote. There were weekends I didn't get out of bed, didn't brush my teeth, or comb my hair. There were weekends I didn't even bathe. I just existed. My desire to be home grew beyond me and I began to listen to my heart over His will.
Thus I "felt" the Lord telling me it was time. God does everything decent and in order and I went way beyond that.
As I look back now, my home based business was no where near ready to sustain/support me and my children. I've still got so much to learn. I dream big and this was no different. So I walked away from my job and have struggled to exist over the last 10 months. I said this would be a time for me to draw closer to God and it has....TRULY!!!
Now I can see things for what they really were. My heart was in agony, my life in turmoil and honestly, I didn't know what to do. I talked to people, but for whatever reason, my entire heart was not poured out. People thought I was coping well. I wasn't. I was dying and no one could hear my screams. I was within a prison and no one knew. My grief, taken to another level, caused me to do some very irrational things. And then I prayed...God why did You bring me to this point if You were going to allow it to be this way. Now I know it was my own doing and though He has never left or forsaken me, He did step back and let me stumble. Yea, I did need these 10 months to come to the end of myself and come to the understanding of Him. He did have to allow this to be. If it had not, I would not have come to this point in my walk with Him.
One of the associate pastors preached Sunday and that's when the major light bulb went off. He was talking about going through the valley and how God is with us. Some of the valleys are just a fact of life we must deal with, some are valleys of growth, and some are valleys of our own doing; and then he specifically mentioned grieving and you quit your job because the grief was too great. Beyond that, I don't know what he said and will have to get the cd. This is exactly what I did and I was incapable of articulating that to anyone. How could I make someone else understand it when I myself did not understand it?
The sensible thing to do would have been to go to the doctor, explain what was going on, allow him to request I take some time off and let my short term disability kick in while I was just able to seek counseling and come to grips with my grief. My mind was not functioning in a proper state though and so I would have never come to this conclusion. I myself thought I was coping as well. I had no idea that I needed more intervention or time. You see I took off work from Dec. 3 of 2009 to Jan. 4 of 2010. My mother's funeral had just been a week before my return to work. I was inundated with so much when in reality I just needed time to grieve.
So I did some foolish thing by quitting my job and plummeting my family in great poverty. Going through valleys I didn't necessarily have to go through, but which God has used and is using for His glory. This has been a hard and bitter road at times. I've struggled with forgiving myself and having to relearn just who this God is I serve. Now I deal with losing my home and having to search for employment at a time when millions of others are searching too. My time limit is short, these things must be done by the end of August so I can move from the very place I love. Yet, I believe in a God who is faithful. He keeps His promises to His children. He has provided and will continue to do so. Right now the task at hand is daunting and looks very bleak, but God knew exactly what I would need before the hand of time even began. I am trusting in an everlasting God that is able to exceed my greatest dream. I'm clinging to His hand with each step I take, not sure where we're going, but certain of the one who is leading. He has my best interest at heart and I now can say I KNOW Him for myself!!!!
Ten months ago I "really thought" I heard the Lord's leading in quitting my job and working closer to home for less pay and so on and so on. It is still my greatest desire to be closer to home, but I did things in my own timing and not the Lords.
As I have been examining myself and asking the Lord to examine my heart over the last month, I've come to understand what exactly took place.
This thing called grief (deep sorrow, great distress); it effects people in many different ways. When my father passed, I threw myself into my family and homemaking. I was dealing with the loss, but at my pace. I allowed myself those moments of depression that caused me to sleep late in the day or cry late into the night. I just allowed it to sweep over me however it chose to. It took me 5 years to be able to say his name without crying. I've never known grief such as that. Then my husband left and there was grief with that, but nothing compared to my father's death. I suppose because the Lord had been preparing me through dreams and visions. I grieved, but I dealt with it.
Then my mother passed and it hit me like a ton of bricks. The grief from losing my mother caused the very breath within me to appear to stop. And just months after that, my husband left again. I was hit with a double whammy of devastation that caused my heart to cease to beat and the life within me to dry up. I forgot how to breath. I forgot how to truly do anything of meaning. I did things out of rote. There were weekends I didn't get out of bed, didn't brush my teeth, or comb my hair. There were weekends I didn't even bathe. I just existed. My desire to be home grew beyond me and I began to listen to my heart over His will.
Thus I "felt" the Lord telling me it was time. God does everything decent and in order and I went way beyond that.
As I look back now, my home based business was no where near ready to sustain/support me and my children. I've still got so much to learn. I dream big and this was no different. So I walked away from my job and have struggled to exist over the last 10 months. I said this would be a time for me to draw closer to God and it has....TRULY!!!
Now I can see things for what they really were. My heart was in agony, my life in turmoil and honestly, I didn't know what to do. I talked to people, but for whatever reason, my entire heart was not poured out. People thought I was coping well. I wasn't. I was dying and no one could hear my screams. I was within a prison and no one knew. My grief, taken to another level, caused me to do some very irrational things. And then I prayed...God why did You bring me to this point if You were going to allow it to be this way. Now I know it was my own doing and though He has never left or forsaken me, He did step back and let me stumble. Yea, I did need these 10 months to come to the end of myself and come to the understanding of Him. He did have to allow this to be. If it had not, I would not have come to this point in my walk with Him.
One of the associate pastors preached Sunday and that's when the major light bulb went off. He was talking about going through the valley and how God is with us. Some of the valleys are just a fact of life we must deal with, some are valleys of growth, and some are valleys of our own doing; and then he specifically mentioned grieving and you quit your job because the grief was too great. Beyond that, I don't know what he said and will have to get the cd. This is exactly what I did and I was incapable of articulating that to anyone. How could I make someone else understand it when I myself did not understand it?
The sensible thing to do would have been to go to the doctor, explain what was going on, allow him to request I take some time off and let my short term disability kick in while I was just able to seek counseling and come to grips with my grief. My mind was not functioning in a proper state though and so I would have never come to this conclusion. I myself thought I was coping as well. I had no idea that I needed more intervention or time. You see I took off work from Dec. 3 of 2009 to Jan. 4 of 2010. My mother's funeral had just been a week before my return to work. I was inundated with so much when in reality I just needed time to grieve.
So I did some foolish thing by quitting my job and plummeting my family in great poverty. Going through valleys I didn't necessarily have to go through, but which God has used and is using for His glory. This has been a hard and bitter road at times. I've struggled with forgiving myself and having to relearn just who this God is I serve. Now I deal with losing my home and having to search for employment at a time when millions of others are searching too. My time limit is short, these things must be done by the end of August so I can move from the very place I love. Yet, I believe in a God who is faithful. He keeps His promises to His children. He has provided and will continue to do so. Right now the task at hand is daunting and looks very bleak, but God knew exactly what I would need before the hand of time even began. I am trusting in an everlasting God that is able to exceed my greatest dream. I'm clinging to His hand with each step I take, not sure where we're going, but certain of the one who is leading. He has my best interest at heart and I now can say I KNOW Him for myself!!!!
5/26/2011
The Testing of My Faith
No sooner had I declared that God is faithful, that the enemy began to hit with hard punches. The transmission on my van is slipping and there are no funds available to pay for repairs. And the voices of the enemy crept in and my blood pressure began to rise. We made it to church safely and I parked the van. I was so down, I was determined that there was no point in my attending service and bringing someone else down. And just as I began to get comfortable with this idea, the Lord said NO!!!
I did attend Wednesday night service and poured out my heart before the Lord. My circumstances have changed yet again. Without the money to fix the problem, it will only get worse. I will not have transportation to find work or go to work once I find it. Without work, bills don't get paid. Unpaid bills, well....................
And so I cried out. Lord I choose to believe what Your Word says. I choose to believe that You are faithful and unchanging. I don't know how you're going to work this out, but I'm trusting that You will and in the end You will be glorified. I have no resources, but You are my source and all things belong to You. I left church last night a bit more up beat. I will continually have to fight the enemy because he has not stopped taunting me, but I believe that this is also for my growth, confidence, and stability in Christ!!!!
Praying for a miracle as I find out how much it will be for repairs. And focusing my eyes upon Jesus, trying to see things from God's perspective and not from the view I have here within the circumstances.
I did attend Wednesday night service and poured out my heart before the Lord. My circumstances have changed yet again. Without the money to fix the problem, it will only get worse. I will not have transportation to find work or go to work once I find it. Without work, bills don't get paid. Unpaid bills, well....................
And so I cried out. Lord I choose to believe what Your Word says. I choose to believe that You are faithful and unchanging. I don't know how you're going to work this out, but I'm trusting that You will and in the end You will be glorified. I have no resources, but You are my source and all things belong to You. I left church last night a bit more up beat. I will continually have to fight the enemy because he has not stopped taunting me, but I believe that this is also for my growth, confidence, and stability in Christ!!!!
Praying for a miracle as I find out how much it will be for repairs. And focusing my eyes upon Jesus, trying to see things from God's perspective and not from the view I have here within the circumstances.
4/25/2011
Can I Just Tell You About HIS Goodness and HIS Mercy?????
On April 4th, our water and lights were to be disconnected. Each day we awoke with the blessing of them both still being on. We were grateful for each days provision and we've learned never to take ANYTHING for granted. We awoke on the 12th and had water until noon. Thankfully we had filled all of our 5 gallon jugs with water the day before....remember each day we prepared because we had no idea when we would not have either. I began to understand something through my prayer times, that this was going to happen for a purpose. On the 13th, well after noon, the guy came to disconnect the lights. He was VERY friendly and compassionate. He wanted to make sure we had done everything we needed to do before he cut the power. He continued to ask if we would be ok. After assuring him we would be just fine, he cut the power.
This was our "camping" trip at home and our encounter with God.
Each morning and afternoon, we ate fruit and veggies. Dinner we cooked on the grill each night. Let me tell you, we had to get creative because we only had one cooler filled with ice as our fridge. No freezer in sight, we ate lots of grilled veggies, veggie sandwiches, and occasionally we had meat. Grilled veggie pizzas; humus, alfalfa sprout sandwiches; grilled egg plants with mozzarella cheese; sauted green beans; grilled loaded baked potatoes; roasted corn on the cob; and for Easter, we enjoyed grilled leg of lamb, roasted corn on the cob, and roasted rosemary potatoes.
We filled our lanterns with oil and read by lantern, we laughed and we laughed some more. We were busy by day and went to bed early each night. We really had a great time for those 12 days. God did an amazing surgery on my heart and faith.
Over the last few years, I've learned to take NOTHING for granted. This would have literally killed someone else, but the enemy had no clue what God would do. What satan meant to use to break me, God used to strengthen my walk and faith in Him!!!
The water was only off for 2 days, so we didn't have to worry about hauling water to and fro. I'm a firm believer we can make it without electricity, but water is another thing. Not many knew of our situation and once again, it was just as God wanted it. Much prayer and trusting that God would provide and take care of me and my children....and HE DID!!!!
Thursday I got a text from a dear, sweet friend. She said her husband had gotten a larger than expected commission check and they wanted to tithe to us. This tithe allowed me to pay our water bill thru June, car insurance, car note, purchase items we needed in the home, AND get our lights back on and paid up to June!!!!!! Not only did we get out lights back on, but our hot water tank was not heating our water even though we put in new heating elements TWICE. However, when the power came back on, WE HAVE HOT WATER!!!! Can I tell you how we rejoiced because we no longer have to boil water!!! I jumped and shouted and jumped some more. We clapped, we danced, we totally rejoiced! God truly is an awesomely, amazing God!
We are believing that He will also provide for our mortgage. We have learned He is MORE than ABLE.
There is no God like my God!!!!!!!!!
Now, to continue in my growth with Him and to get busy with some sewing!
This was our "camping" trip at home and our encounter with God.
Each morning and afternoon, we ate fruit and veggies. Dinner we cooked on the grill each night. Let me tell you, we had to get creative because we only had one cooler filled with ice as our fridge. No freezer in sight, we ate lots of grilled veggies, veggie sandwiches, and occasionally we had meat. Grilled veggie pizzas; humus, alfalfa sprout sandwiches; grilled egg plants with mozzarella cheese; sauted green beans; grilled loaded baked potatoes; roasted corn on the cob; and for Easter, we enjoyed grilled leg of lamb, roasted corn on the cob, and roasted rosemary potatoes.
We filled our lanterns with oil and read by lantern, we laughed and we laughed some more. We were busy by day and went to bed early each night. We really had a great time for those 12 days. God did an amazing surgery on my heart and faith.
Over the last few years, I've learned to take NOTHING for granted. This would have literally killed someone else, but the enemy had no clue what God would do. What satan meant to use to break me, God used to strengthen my walk and faith in Him!!!
The water was only off for 2 days, so we didn't have to worry about hauling water to and fro. I'm a firm believer we can make it without electricity, but water is another thing. Not many knew of our situation and once again, it was just as God wanted it. Much prayer and trusting that God would provide and take care of me and my children....and HE DID!!!!
Thursday I got a text from a dear, sweet friend. She said her husband had gotten a larger than expected commission check and they wanted to tithe to us. This tithe allowed me to pay our water bill thru June, car insurance, car note, purchase items we needed in the home, AND get our lights back on and paid up to June!!!!!! Not only did we get out lights back on, but our hot water tank was not heating our water even though we put in new heating elements TWICE. However, when the power came back on, WE HAVE HOT WATER!!!! Can I tell you how we rejoiced because we no longer have to boil water!!! I jumped and shouted and jumped some more. We clapped, we danced, we totally rejoiced! God truly is an awesomely, amazing God!
We are believing that He will also provide for our mortgage. We have learned He is MORE than ABLE.
There is no God like my God!!!!!!!!!
Now, to continue in my growth with Him and to get busy with some sewing!
2/28/2011
Having The Mind of Christ
In my reading this morning, I read a scripture I've read time and time again. It doesn't have some great new meaning, but it does deal with some of the very issues I am walking out now.
1 Corinthians 2:16 NASB
For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 AMPs
For who has know or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct HIM and give HIM knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.
There is nothing that I nor you or anyone else on this earth knows better than God that we can turn around and give HIM instructions or understanding. We are talking about God here, the creator of ALL things in heaven and on earth. So why do we EVER, EVER, EVER think we know what is best for us or anyone else in this life? That, right there alone should be enough to prove to us how really "dumb" we are. Yet, we go through our lives as though we know what's best and how things should work out and when we should do something. How crazy we must look to God sometimes. I wonder if He ever just shakes His head at some of the things we come up with or do! Ponder on that one for a minute.
But MY main focus is the last part of that verse...We have the mind of Christ.
For those that have accepted Christ as their Savior, we have the ability to have the mind of Christ and be "one" with Him. How is this possible? We have the written Word. I've never been one that has been able to memorize scripture. It is a bit difficult for me, but I'm gonna give it a try.
I digress....HIS MIND IS IN HIS WORD!!!! What He thinks about a matter, What He feels about a matter, What He would do about a matter, is all written in HIS WORD!!!! So not only do I need to read it daily to know what He is thinking, but in order to begin thinking like He thinks and acting like He would act, I have to get His Word in my heart and most definitely in my mind.
The first scripture I have been pondering on and trying to get down in my mind and heart is Hebrews 13:5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
Lord, May I fully comprehend that there is nothing in this life that I know better than You! That You not only know what is best for me, but You also know when it is best for me. Forgive me for EVER thinking or acting as though I know what is best for me, my life, or even the lives of others. I pray You would open my ears to hear the Holy Spirit as He prompts me in the way You would have me to go, and do the things You would have me to do, the way You would have me to do them. I confess those times I have put myself in the position that rightfully belongs to only You. Lead me Lord and guide me. As I begin to take baby steps Lord, help me to have Your mind and engrave Your Word not only upon my mind, but my heart as well, and through this, may I have the peace that surpasses all understanding....even through my storms. In Jesus Name!!!!!!!!
1 Corinthians 2:16 NASB
For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 AMPs
For who has know or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct HIM and give HIM knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.
There is nothing that I nor you or anyone else on this earth knows better than God that we can turn around and give HIM instructions or understanding. We are talking about God here, the creator of ALL things in heaven and on earth. So why do we EVER, EVER, EVER think we know what is best for us or anyone else in this life? That, right there alone should be enough to prove to us how really "dumb" we are. Yet, we go through our lives as though we know what's best and how things should work out and when we should do something. How crazy we must look to God sometimes. I wonder if He ever just shakes His head at some of the things we come up with or do! Ponder on that one for a minute.
But MY main focus is the last part of that verse...We have the mind of Christ.
For those that have accepted Christ as their Savior, we have the ability to have the mind of Christ and be "one" with Him. How is this possible? We have the written Word. I've never been one that has been able to memorize scripture. It is a bit difficult for me, but I'm gonna give it a try.
I digress....HIS MIND IS IN HIS WORD!!!! What He thinks about a matter, What He feels about a matter, What He would do about a matter, is all written in HIS WORD!!!! So not only do I need to read it daily to know what He is thinking, but in order to begin thinking like He thinks and acting like He would act, I have to get His Word in my heart and most definitely in my mind.
The first scripture I have been pondering on and trying to get down in my mind and heart is Hebrews 13:5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
Lord, May I fully comprehend that there is nothing in this life that I know better than You! That You not only know what is best for me, but You also know when it is best for me. Forgive me for EVER thinking or acting as though I know what is best for me, my life, or even the lives of others. I pray You would open my ears to hear the Holy Spirit as He prompts me in the way You would have me to go, and do the things You would have me to do, the way You would have me to do them. I confess those times I have put myself in the position that rightfully belongs to only You. Lead me Lord and guide me. As I begin to take baby steps Lord, help me to have Your mind and engrave Your Word not only upon my mind, but my heart as well, and through this, may I have the peace that surpasses all understanding....even through my storms. In Jesus Name!!!!!!!!
1/18/2011
Moving Forward by Ricardo Sanchez with lyrics
This has been on my heart since yesterday. My daughter and the Praise Team from church sang this yesterday at an MLK celebration at the House of Blues and I've found myself singing it off and on throughout the day yesterday and today. Hope it encourages someone. God Bless!!!!
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