This song has been all over the radio and I want to share it’s powerful message.  Just sit, listen and allow the words to dwell in you soul.   Sit in adoration, joy, passion, grace, mercy, hope, love, praise, and forgiveness! There is only one Great Name…JESUS!!

Privilege:  a right  granted as a peculiar benefit

Obligation:  something one is bound to do : duty or responsibility

This week, bible study has been intense.  I love it.  We are working through Max Lacado’s “Experienceing the Heart of Jesus”.  Terrific study if you are looking for one.  Prayer was the topic of the week.  I am totally convicted.  My prayer life needs improvement.  I have been in the habit of “popcorn prayers”.  You know, the ones you toss up to heaven quickly because you are so busy or have a to do list a mile long.  My prayers had become predictable and dull.  I was going about it the wrong way. 

When you walking with Christ, it is a huge privilege to be able to pray to God!  With privilege comes obligation.  It is our “duty” to pray.  We have the divine opportunity to go to the Holy throne of God with praises, confession, thankfulness and requests.  That is huge!!  When you are walking with Christ, there should be a desire to want to pray.  For yourself and for others.  But we have made it too difficult.  We want to sound eloquent and poised, and if we don’t sound that way than we just don’t pray.  Well..let me let you in on a secret…it ain’t about you or me!  It’s about GOD!  Don’t think about it too much, just do it. 

Jesus gave us the example of prayer in Matthew 6: 9-15.  He showed the way.  Jesus prayed all the time.  He wanted to be in communion with God.  It was an honor but also a privilege.  Max Lacado has a terrific book out that walks you through the Lords Prayer, ” The Great House of God“  I read it and would recommend it.  We need to be dwelling in our heavenly Father.  It is our obligation.  How do we expect to go out into a suffering world and do it alone.  We can’t!!  We need Jesus.. plain and simple. 

Be bold in your prayers.  This is my downfall.  I am a timid pray’er.  I want to become bold.  I attend a Moms in Touch group.  This is a great organization where you pray for you children and their schools.  You meet once a week for an hour and pray.  (I highly recommend finding a group).  The difference is that you pray scriptures over them.  Have you ever done that?  There is some big time power in it.  Try it.  Pick a scripture and place your name in it.  When our prayers line up with truth and God’s will he hears!  Another awesome thing is that when we don’t know how or what to pray the Holy Spirit intervenes on our behalf.  Praying for our children is a noble task.  Take it seriously and cover them in prayer.  Become a diligent ambassador for your family.  Prayer is essential.  It needs to be God centered not self centered.  His will be done. 

Here is a great model using A.C.T.S.

A:  adoration, praise God for who HE is

C:  confession

T: thanksgiving, thanking God for what he has don

S: supplication (intersession and requests)

There is so much more I have learned on prayer but I want to allow it to resonate in my spirit, I will be sharing soon!   

John 3:30  He must become greater; I must become less

Today was a beautiful day!! The sun was shinning, cool air but the sun was out.  I feel spring in the air!  Thursdays are bible study days and today we studied Experiencing the Love of Jesus. To be honest, this is something we need to study daily. Jesus’ love is incredible!   To know what He did on Calvary for me.  It makes me forever grateful.

We heard this song today, it speaks.   Take a look…

Than we broke off into our small groups (we have a large bible study that averages 175 women or more)  and one of our leaders shared this song and video.  It is meant to be a Christmas song, but we all agreed it is an all year long song.

Jesus love crashed into the world and I pray that my family allows His word, teachings, truths and love to crash into their lives. Do you know how much Jesus loves you?  Just look to the cross.

We are entering into Easter and I would love to chat about some fun things you are doing in your home to share the love and grace of Jesus.   Easter is late this year, April 24, so we have lots of time to CELEBRATE JESUS!

**My youngest, Phoebe has fallen in love with this song. We have heard it..oh..about 4 times now.

In Genesis, He’s the breath of life

In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb

In Leviticus, He’s our High Priest

In Numbers, the Fire by Night

Deuteronomy, He’s Israel’s guide

Joshua, He’s salvation’s choice

Judges, He’s Israel’s guard

In Ruth, the kinsmen’s Redeemer

1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted Prophet

In Kings and Chronicles, He is Sovereign

In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful scribe

In Nehemiah, the Re-builder of broken walls and lives

In Esther, He’s Mordecai’s courage

In Job, the Timeless Redeemer

In Psalms, He is our morning song

In Proverbs, He is our wisdom

Ecclesiastes, He’s the time and season

In Song of Solomon, He is the lover’s dream

In Isaiah, He is the Prince of Peace

In Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet

Lamentations, the Cry for Israel

Ezekiel, the Call from Sin

Daniel, the Stranger in the Fire

Hosea, the Forever Faithful

Joel, the Spirit’s Power

Amos, the Strong-arms that carry

Obadiah, the Lord our Savior

Jonah, the great Missionary

Micah, the Promise of Peace

Nahum, our Strength and Shield

In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He’s brings revival

In Haggai, He restores that which was lost

In Zachariah, He’s our fountain

And in Malachi, He’s the Son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings

AND THAT’S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT

In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, He is God and Messiah

In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven

In Romans, He is the grace of God

Corinthians, the Power of Love

Galatians, Freedom from the curse of sin

Ephesians, our Glorious Treasure

Philippians, the Servant’s Heart

Colossians, He’s God and the Trinity

Thessalonians, our calling King

In Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, He’s our mediator and our faithful pastor

In Hebrews, the Everlasting Courage

In James, the One who heals the sick

In 1st and 2nd Peter, our Faithful Shepherd

In John and Jude, He’s the lover coming for His bride

AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it’s all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince

I am truly enjoying scripture memorization.  To be honest, I have been terrified to try it.  I always told myself I couldn’t do it.  What a lie!  We can remember songs, passwords, birthdays, anniversaries and more.  If we can remember those things surely with the Lord’s help we can plant scripture deep in our hearts.  It is pleasing to Him.  So here is mine for the 15 of February:

1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

That is my prayer right now.  That I discover the gifts that God has given me so  I may serve others, furthering His kingdom and glorifying His name!   This takes some time with Jesus, praying that he reveals the gifts given.  We have to be aware and alert.  We need to have clear minds and eyes to see what is going on in our hearts and lives.  It is a process, but one that I am so excited to be on. 

So what’s your verse for SSMT #4?

Things here have been really, what’s the word, worrisome.  Natalie had a minor complication from surgery that hopefully is working itself out.  She went back to school this week and is loving the attention.  They are so glad to have her back and she is glad to be back.  Being home was getting boring for her. 

I wanted to share a little of what I have been recently going through.  I find it annoying how the evil one uses good things to change our path so that we are not in God’s will.  He has schemes that he continues to use, they haven’t changed over the centuries.  I have been involved in bible studies since Natalie was 6 months old.  She will be 11 next month.  I LOVE bible study.   I love learning and digging into God’s word, sharing life with other women, sharing what Jesus has done in my life and the hope I have in Him.  Well, recently I believed the lie that I was not supposed to be involved in women’s ministry.  I built an idol , I don’t want to go into what it was, but the sad part is it’s a good thing.  I became addicted if you will and really thought that I needed to pursue that road and possibly a career.  Funny thing is that I never consulted God about this new endeavor.  Went a distance down that road in my own strength.  At that time in life I found myself very unsatisfied.  I was aggravated, annoyed, tired, stressed and my my heart just hurt.  Thank goodness I have wonderful friends that speak TRUTH to me and pray for me. 

Natalie had been in extreme pain for quite a while and we couldn’t figure it out.  I was emotionally exhausted and physically drained.  I started focusing on the idol.   I did some research into this new “adventure” and it looked like what I was looking for to fill the void in my mind and heart, but you know that feeling you get, the one that tells you something doesn’t feel right.  Always go with that one.  I started having second thoughts, processed it over and over.  Then, then, the freedom came.  We went to church one Saturday night, I sat in the pew, exhausted, we had 5 or so minutes before service started.  The lights were low, music playing, people hustling around greeting one another, fellowshipping but it felt like it was all slow motion.  I looked down and opened my heart.  I told God how I was exhausted and I needed Him to come.  Fill my soul with Him.  I needed Him desperately.  Suddenly I felt peace, I felt as if someone had taken their hands from around my neck, I could breathe.  I was an empty cup and the hand of Jesus was pouring His living water into me.  The fogged cleared and I realized this was IT…this, church, ministry, is where I get filled.  It became very clear to me that the road I had been looking at (the idol) was a dangerous road, a detour.  I was detoured by lies!  Oh, but sweet Jesus was there, to redirect traffic.  He showed me the right way for my life.  That night in church, freedom.  Freedom from the lies. 

Now, don’t get me wrong.  People have jobs.  I am just telling you my story.  Yes, I have had to pull away from serving in women’s ministry for this season because my family needs me,  but, I will be back, I am confident in that.  Not sure in what area, but I know Jesus knows and that’s all I need to know.  Just need to continue to pray that I follow his road to get to my destination.  We need awesome, godly people in the workforces to share the hope in Jesus, to witness, to be shinning lights for Christ.  Do your job and do it well with Jesus. 

You always have to search for truth and if things aren’t adding up than it’s a lie.  Satan wants to divide us from God.  He will use “good” things as a detour.  Watch out for those huge potholes!   I look forward to serving again but know where I am needed right now.  God has a plan and will for me and for you.  Search to know him. 

I heard this song and immediately thought of my precious girls.  This is what I want them to know in the deepest part of their being!  Claim this truth..

It’s funny, you read someones blog and get a feeling you know them.  I have a few blogs I follow out there in bloggy world getting to peek into someones life, their adventures.  It’s fun, you get ideas, you laugh and sometimes you cry. 

I cried when I read the recent posts on The Simple Wife.  This gal is a mom, homeschooler, wife, friend, sister, daughter and sister in Christ.  Normal is the word that comes to my mind.  About a week ago her 12 year old daughter found her lying beside the treadmill, with it still running, seizing.  She was suffering  a stroke.  Click on the Praying for Joanne button to the right, to read the entire story.  You will need to scroll down to get to the beginning. 

This just broke my heart.  We are never guaranteed anything here on earth.  We live in real time, real world.  We go about our days, sometimes thinking things like this will never happen to us or our family.  Then, it does.  But, but, but…GOD!  God, if we cry out to  Him, reaches down from the heavens and brings people, tons of people to our lives, sometimes people that don’t even know us.  Prayers are lifted up, cards are sent, encouragement given, meals taken, childcare arranged…people are moved to act.   Please click on Joanne’s button and look around.  Pray that whatever God lays on your heart to do, you are obedient.  Don’t let the thinking that you don’t know her play out in your head.  She is a fellow sister in Christ.  Step up, step out and step into action.  

A girlfriend of mine recently started a tween group in her home.  These young gals meet, talk about life, Jesus and just have a good time.  Recently one of the gals, Bizzy, was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  Again, broken hearted for this young girl and her family.  Please pray for this 6th grader, yes I typed 6th grader.  Once again, no one is immune to catastrophes in life.  The one thing we are confident in is Christ,  his love for us, his provision for us and his grace.  I pray that Bizzy recovers completely and has a platform to tell others what Jesus did and continues to do in her life.  How awesome is that gonna be and just think of the numbers of young people she will influence for His kingdom. 

Lists, we all make them, we all check things off .  Well, I ask that you add these two prayer requests to your list and DON”T check them off.  Continue to cover them in prayer!

This terrific  idea is on this gals blog.   To see the photo’s click on the blog. 

BLESSING BUNTING TUTORIAL:

Materials: sewing machine, double-sided bias tape, scrapbook paper

Step 1: Type up messages on your computer…I divided my document in two columns and ran four scriptures per page. Make sure to allow room at the top of each flag to attach the bias tape.You can also have people hand write messages on the flags.

Step 2: Cut scrapbook paper into 8.5 x 11 inches. This way you can feed it normally through your printer. I varied how I printed the messages. Some I printed over the patterned side, some on the blank side.

Step 3: Cut out the flags.

Step 4: Arrange the flags in the order that you want them sewn. I alternated which side some of the messages appear. So that if we hung it up mid room, you could read things on both sides. Once you have them in the order that you like, stack them up and set them next the sewing machine.
 Step 5: Place your first flag in between the fold of the bias tape. Using zig-zag stitch, stitch across the flag. Immediately put the next flag in place and continue sewing. Repeat until the end.

You’re done! 

Thought this was a great way to make a cold hospital room more cheery.  You could also cut out material in the shape of flags (like a triangle), provide visitors pens and have them write scriptures, prayers and notes.  Some how sew or stitch-witch them together and there you go..TRUTH decorating and covering a room! 

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2

Hi, its SMT time.  I am really enjoying memorizing scripture.  Okay, so I have only done one but it is very empowering.  I love having God’s word alive in my heart giving me a firm foundation.  Here is my SMT verse for the 15th of the month:

Psalm 105:4  Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always  NIV

This verse speaks to me right now because my oldest daughter just had surgery and has another one in a month.  It’s tough when one of you kids go through something like this.  On top of having special needs, she has to endure surgeries.  She is such a strong , brave girl and  I am confident that God blankets  her with safety, comfort and healing.  I want to always look to the Lord for my strength.  This isn’t easy.  I try to do things on my own and it never works out.  I get in the way!   God wants us to rely on him so that we look more like Christ.  I want to seek God’s face in all circumstances so that I am confident and empowered with  truth.   

I have some awesome, loving, caring and fun friends.  They are bringing meals to our family while Natalie recovers and look at this one brought to us today.   Can I just say that it was gooey, yummy and I want the recipe

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Natalie and I came home from the hospital early this morning, we had been up all night,  so I laid down to take a nap.  While I was asleep another dear friend called saying she had a sweet treat to deliver, boy did she deliver!!  Look at these beauties

Gourmet Cupcakes

We can’t wait to dig into them.  What a nice surprise to wake too.  I tell you, we have such a fantastic circle of friends.  I am amazed at the love they so willingly, unselfishly give.  Recently we started a Life Group in our home and we are  growing to become terrific friends.  We are doing exactly what God’s word instructs, studying  His word, holding each other accountable, praying for one another and doing life together.  Such a great time of fellowship and growth.  I am also so thankful for all my girlfriends.  They are godly women, seeking Christ and desiring to know Him more.  We encourage, pray and just have fun in life.  Don’t know what I would do without them.  They bless me each and every day. 

I hope you have decided to jump into the SMT.  If so what is your verse for the 15th?  Remember to choose one that speaks to you for where you are in life right now.  It will impact you more and be easier to memorize.

It’s here, are you ready?  A new year.  I am ready for what God has in store.  I assure you  that there will be trials, hard times, joys, fun, growth and change.   The next year holds alot that we don’t know or can’t control but I know the ONE that does and can! 

Are you participating in the SSMT?  Check it out here.  This is my scripture for the 1st.

Psalm 130:5  I will wait on the Lord my soul waits, and in his word I place my hope.

I would love to hear what you are memorizing.  Oh, check out some of the new blogs on the right.  They are some really fun gals.   Have a great Monday!