Blessings

This Friday and Saturday our church is hosting a garage/rummage sale. All the memebers have been bringing down stuff to sell and all of the proceedes will go to our building fund. It is all being set up in our "Bethlehem" structure. Well as things are being set up a lot of us are buying things from one another. Jay and I had said we were not allowed to look! We were only allowed to give things to sell (and boy did we purge!) Well how much could looking hurt ? I have been wanting a pretty sofa table. You know the kind that goes behind your couch and we have been in desperate need of a new bed for Jay and I. Our mattress is about 13 years old and it's time to be retired. Well we got both this weekend for a song. We also finally got an entertainment center for the tv and movies up in the playroom.

Jay was getting calls the last two days to help pick things up from people to bring down to the sale. One couple had a king size mattress, box springs and frame all in great condition, barely used. So that just saved us a bunch of money. Then I saw the sofa table and was very excited. We got it home and I was getting ready to put some candle holders and pretty things on it when my kids decided it was perfect to hold some sports figures that someone gave to them.

Okay so I had to take a picture but then I explained to them that this was my table to decorate and they need to pick a different place for their figures! Gotta love 'em.

Count Your Blessings, Name Them One By One

I wanted to share a blessing that happened this week.  I want to have record of it so when I sometimes forget how God blesses us even in the little ways I can be reminded.  Jay and I have been wanting to get bunkbeds for the girls since before we moved to this new house last March.  Cost and getting exactly what I want have been the two inhibitors.  I want wooden bunkbeds that have a twin on top, full on bottom with drawers underneath.  This way it will fit all three girls and eliminate other dressers in their room.  We have found several we like from Craigs list and Jay can even make them (which would be awesome).  The added expense comes in with the mattresses they add $150-$300 to the cost.  So we have been praying, saving and holding off.  Let me go back also, in the mean time we got rid of Savannah's toddler bed when we moved and the two girls have been sleeping on a blow up mattress or on the hide a bed in the playroom (they actually love sleeping there).

A few weeks ago a friend from church asked us if we wanted a twin mattress in good condition that they no longer needed.  Awesome score one!  Then just yesterday Jay was getting ready to leave for band practice and one of the guys he picks up told him to make sure the surburban was cleared out and all seats down because he and his mom had an early Christmas gift for us.  Well we had no idea what it could be.  I waited patiently impatiently and finally called Jay.  He told me they gave him a queen size mattress.  (Jay never mentioned to them about us needing a bed for the girls) I have to be honest here my first reaction was "a queen size mattress what are we going to do with this?  It would be a bed for the girls but God, you know we are wanting bunkbeds and need a full size mattress".  I immediately repented and started thanking God for this provision and said even though I don't understand I will be thankful and I truly was and thanked God through out the day.  Jay finally got home around 7:30pm and unloaded the bed (mattress, box springs and frame) as he brought it in I thought it looked rather small for being a queen and told Jay.  He said they said it was a queen.  So we set it up and I got out some queen size sheets and they were too big!  What???  I got some full size sheets and they fit perfectly.  Jay and I were so excited.  We now have the two mattresses we need for the bunk beds.  Now Jay can either make them or we will continue to save to get them.  The girls were excited to sleep on the bed!  Thank you Lord!!!  It is all in His perfect timing we just need to continue to pray and have faith and know that God provides everytime.

I hope this encourages you all to continue to wait on the Lord and His timing and to accept gifts from the Lord even when it might not be what we think we need or want.  It was an excellent reminder for me!

Please Join Me in Praying

My heart is so heavy and I am reaching out to all of you who read my blog to please join me in praying for several of my friend's children. I posted the above picture because I have seen it many times before and brings a smile to my face and I need but these are some heavy duty prayer requests.

1) Please pray for one of my best friends, Tina and her son Danny. He will be 11 next month and has been getting tested for possible lymphoma cancer. There is a tumor in his leg and they have not ruled out bone infection or lymphoma cancer yet. It is looking like cancer. They have been on a wild roller coaster of ups and downs this last month while trying to get testing and concrete answers and they still have to play the waiting game. Please pray for calmness, pray that it is only a bone infection (which is still serious but a lot better than cancer) pray for God's protection around their family. You can read about his story here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dantheman

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jerimiah 29:11

2) Please pray for friends of our from our old chuch the Erwin family and their daughter Natalie. She is 14 and was recently diagnosed with a form of leukeima. She was just in the hospital again this weekend because of some complications. You can visit her blog by clicking on the button on the right side of my blog that says We pray 4 U NPE.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." Psalm 28:7

3) Please pray for for close friends of my sister in law their names are Mike and Sherry and their baby (Grace) she was born with a heart deformity and at 5 mos. old has had two surgeries already. I cannot locate the address of her blog but I will find it soon and post it here. Get ready for a box of tissues but it is also a wonderful yet heart wrenching testimony that Mike and Sherry share as well.

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-14

4) Please also pray for my friends Matt and Lisa and their son Chris he is 17 and is coming up on his one year mark of chemo for fighting lymphoma cancer that was discovered last summer. I just recently saw Lisa and it has been a very long year for them. At the beginning of this diagnosis I know that Chris received Christ as his savior and I am sure the Lord's strength has been getting him through this rough time. Please pray the cancer stays in remission.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:19-20

Last but not least pray for this new baby I am carrying. We go for the ultra sound July 6th. I have no reason to be concerned but I always am until this ultra sound. We are just praying for a healthy baby and it doesn't matter to us boy or girl. God already has that determined and it is in His plan.

Thanks for praying!

Unexpected Blessings

Wednesday night at church Anastasia was playing and fell and hurt her foot really bad. (Bad enough Jay wanted to take her for X-rays). I had stayed home with Tasha so Jay brought the other kids home to me and then headed to the ER here in Casa Grande. He didn't get there till almost 10:00pm. Well they were so inundated with people looking like they had the flu that Jay was not about to sit there and wait 2 hrs. for an X ray. So he decided to take her to the Gilbert hospital ER which we really like and have been there before. They guranatee door to dr. in 31 minutes. It took them about 45 minutes to get there so by this time it was close to midnight. They did X-rays and nothing was broken but she has some damage to her growth plate and has to be in a walking boot for minimum of 3 weeks. We are praying it is only 3 weeks the kids are so ready to go swimming!!

The really cool blessing in this is the nurse that was helping them the whole time actually lives in our exact neighborhood and she has a daughter just a year older than Anastasia. Her birthday is on Christmas Day (Anastasia's is Christmas eve). What are the chances of that!!! Anastasia has been praying to meet some girls in our neighborhood around her age and her she goes to an ER almost 45 minutes away and her prayers were answered! God is so awesome.

Now Anastasia is really anxious for her foot to heal so she can go ride scooters and play with her new friend!

God Answers Prayers...Our Fridge

Let me just start by saying I LOVE Craigslist.  If you have never checked it out you should (just use safety and common sense when doing so.)  Moving to our new house we need a new fridge and washer and dryer.  So I headed to Craigslist and started searching and searching.  I had a hard time finding a black fridge.  I was getting frustrated.  Jay needed to use his computer.  So I got off, I said a quick prayer about needing a black fridge.  I turned on the laptop and went back to Craigslist and a new post came up for a black fridge.  I was so excited.  I took the number down and called the next morning.  To make a long story short it worked out great.  We got a one year old fridge nothing wrong with it the owner was just switching to stainless steel.  We got a $1200 fridge for $500!  God is all about the details and can even answer prayers through Craigslist.  Thank you Lord!

God's Timing

Isn't God's timing always better than our own!  Then why do I still push for my timing???  For once though I am not pushing for my timing but I am trying to stand back and watch God move and work.  He has been doing a work in our family for the last couple of years and preparing our hearts for our journey.  I mentioned in my New Year's post about moving and Jay getting a Worship pastor position.  Well things have been CRAZY around here but in a good way.  As a family we have grown and stretched and learned so much in the last couple of years.  I truly believe now we are ready for God to move us forward.  As much as I don't want to admit and as hard as it was God had to allow us to struggle as we did with our finances (or lack there of ) and our house.  But He is so good and has an amazing plan for everyone's lives. 

So what is God doing you ask???  He is helping bring to fruition a seed He planted long ago in my husband.  My husband has a heart and passion for ministry that he  burried and ran from for too long.  Now God is opening doors and we are running, not walking, through them.  Jay has a full time job working for University of Phoenix and he is going to school (on-line).  He will graduate in May and we can't wait!!!!  Now add to that plate part time worship pastor.   He is so excited to do this and it is fun to watch him fullfilling this long time passion and using the gifts and talents that the Lord has given him.  God's timing that we are waiting on now and not pushing is us actually moving into the community where the church is (almost an hour away). The church eventually (sooner than later) wants to bring him on full time.  When this happens he can quit at UOP, which is not his passion!  But we don't want to complain about it especially when so many people are with out jobs right now.  So we are waiting on God's timing and there is truly a comfort and peace with that. So please continue to pray for us during this process.

 Are you waiting on God's timing for something?

Great Bible Study

I am keeping up with my resolutions so far anyways! I wanted to share with you the book I am using for my personal devotions.  It is Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be  ( A 90-day guide to living the Proverbs 31 Life) by Donna Partow.  I am on day 2 and it is great!  My friend Melanie introduced me to it and started a small group.  The best part is Donna Partow started a large group on line on facebook complete with videos that you can watch to go along.  What I really like about it is with the videos anyone can jump in and start at anytime.  Day 2 has us working on commiting to a daily time alone with God (TAG) I am working on setting up my own prayer area  where I can do my study each morning (before the kids get up!)  This is my challenge so please pray for me that I can stick with this commitment. 

Are you looking for a new devotion one that will give you a jumpstart on the year in so many different areas of your life; faith, family relationships, health, business, home managment, ministry and more then come join me in this venture and check out Donna's website at: www.donnapartow.com 

3900 Marbles

This time of year there are a lot of emails with all the stories that circulate year after year but I hadn't heard this one before and it really touched me so I wanted to share it.

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's

the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe

it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the

first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming

cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What

began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons

that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:





I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the

way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal

and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be

in the broadcasting business. He was telling whom-ever he was

talking with something about "a thousand marbles." I was intrigued

and stopped to listen to what he had to say





"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure

they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and

your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to

work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad

you missed your daughter's "dance recital" he continued. ;"Let me

tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities." And

that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."





"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The

average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live

more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.





"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which

is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their

entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.





It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this

in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through

over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays." "I got to thinking that if I

lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left

to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble

they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up

1000 marbles I took them home and put them inside a large, clear

plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."





"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown

it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused

more on the really important things in life. There's nothing like

watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your

priorities straight."





"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and

take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very

last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until

next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the

one thing we can all use is a little more time."





"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your

family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75

Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"



You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed

off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to

work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up

with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.





Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon

honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast." "What brought this

on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a

long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey,

can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles.

DECEMBER 21st

December 21st has become an important day for our family. Five years ago on this special day we had Joshua's baby dedication, Anastasia went forward to accept Christ and it was Jay's mom's last Sunday in church. Fastforward five years and this year December 21st fell on a Sunday again and as it all works out this is Jay's first official Sunday as a worship pastor. We spent this Sunday with our now old church and pastor. He recognized Jay in church and let our congregation know where we were going.

What a journey this has been. Jay was called into the ministry long ago but ran. Now for the past 2 years he has been seeking this calling again and waiting on God's timing (which is usually not our own but oh so much better) Jay thought for sure we would be called out of state but instead we are going to Casa Grand. The way God works out the details is amazing to watch. Jay and Pastor Don are a great fit and with God leading they will do great things together to minister to others. I am so excited for my husband and to watch the spark of passion come back as he is using his gifts and talents for the Lord. We will definetly enjoy the journey God is about to take our family on.

PS: We found out also that it was on December 21st five years ago that Pastor Don led his first service at the church in Casa Grand where we are going. Isn't God amazing?!

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election



1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

*ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL?!!*

Knowing the outcome of the election now I  am really trying to rest in these assurances.

September 11th

'We will be flying all flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, September 11, 2008.



By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day." On Patriot Day, we cherish the memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their lives so others might survive.



The President of the United States of America has called upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. He also called upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services, to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when

you heard the news On September 11, 2001.

Neither will I.



I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room

with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I

held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the

peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it

is OK..I am ready to go.'



I was with his wife when he called as she fed

breakfast to their children. I held her up as she

tried to understand his words and as she realized

he wasn't coming home that night.



I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a

woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been

knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.

'Of course I will show you the way home - only

believe in Me now.'



I was at the base of the building with the Priest

ministering to the injured and devastated souls.

I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He

heard my voice and answered.



I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,

with every prayer. I was with the crew as they

were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the

believers there, comforting and assuring them that their

faith has saved them.



I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan ...

I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.

Did you sense Me?



I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew

every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me

for the first time on the 86th floor.



Some sought Me with their last breath.

Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the

smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take

my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.

But, I was there.



I did not place you in the Tower that day. You

may not know why, but I do. However, if you were

there in that explosive moment in time, would you have

reached for Me?



Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey

for you. But someday your journey will end. And I

will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may

be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are

'ready to go.'



I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.



God

Praying for Our Children

A while ago I mentioned a book I was reading ...The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian.  Well I just came across a  blog  that another lady created based from this book and specifically sets prayers for our children.  It was really uplifting and gives specific daily prayers.  I encourage you to take a look. 

"The battle for our children's lives is waged on our knees. When we don't pray, it's like sitting on the sidelines watching our children in a war zone getting shot at from every angle. When we do pray, we're in the battle alongside them, appropriating God's power on their behalf."               (Stormie Ormartian)

What is your Cardboard Testimony?

This is a very powerful video by a church on changed lives. They used cardboard pieces to write short before and after testimonies. It made me cry.

Check it out at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

Prayer Requests

We have had a lot of heavy hearted news to deal with this past week. Please pray for our family.

1) Please pray for my dad he has just been diagnosed with a form of non-curable leukemia and they gave him anywhere from 6mos-5 yrs. He will be starting some chem and radiation treatments. He does have a relationship with the Lord.

2) Pray for some big decisions that my husband needs to make. Pray for wisdom and direction.

3) Pray for my grandma we got word this week that she is not doing well. She is 95. She also does have a realtionship with the Lord.

4) Pray for direction for my homeschool group that decisions can be made with wisdom and prayer and Christ-likeness.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

"For the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted." Isaiah 49:13b

Thanks!

Our prayers go out to the Steven Curtis Chapman Family

We heard the news today like I am sure many of you have about Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, Marie Sue she was only 5 years old.  She died last night in a tragic accident.  We of course don't know them personally but have been so touched over the past years by his music and thier outreach for orphans and adoption.  Please  join us in praying for this family for peace and comfort and espically for their son who was involved in the accident.

 We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.  [Romans 12.15]  

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080522/TUNEIN/80522121

Praying For My Children

Mother's Day gave me time to reflect on the awesome responsibility that God has placed before me with my children. I feel so incompetent a lot of the time that I try spend time before the Lord praying for guidance, grace and mercy. It makes a huge difference when I seek the Lord than when I just try to do it on my own. Unfortunately I try to do it too much on my own. You would think I would learn more quickly. God has been so good in blessing us with 4 soon to be 5 great and wonderful children. Jay and I 's goal as parents is to raise them to be adults who love and serve The Lord.

In order to do this as I shared before I think praying over my children is so important and I love the book The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Well I also came across this great article from a friend's blog. Bob Hostetler http://www.bobhostetler.com/writing/bestof001.html has come up with a list of character traits to pray for our children. There are 31 so you can pray one each day of the month. I thought this was really cool. Here is his list:

1 salvation "Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory" (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10).

2 growth in grace "I pray that they may 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ'" (2 Peter 3:18).

3 love "Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to 'live a life of love,' through the Spirit who dwells in them" (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22).

4 honesty and integrity " May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection" (Psalm 25:21, NLT).

5 self-control " Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be 'alert and self-controlled' in all they do" (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

6 a love for God's Word " May my children grow to find your Word 'more precious than gold, than much pure gold; [and] sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb'" (Psalm 19:10).

7 justice " God, help my children to love justice as you do and to 'act justly' in all they do" (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8).

8 mercy " May my children always 'be merciful, as [their] Father is merciful'" (Luke 6:36).

9 respect (for self, others, authority) " Father, grant that my children may 'show proper respect to everyone,' as your Word commands" (1 Peter 2:17a).

10 strong, Biblical self-esteem " Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are 'God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus'" (Ephesians 2:10).

11 faithfulness "' Let love and faithfulness never leave [my children],' but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts" (Proverbs 3:3).

12 courage "May my children always 'Be strong and courageous' in their character and in their actions" (Deuteronomy 31:6).

13 purity "'Create in [them] a pure heart, O God,' and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions" (Psalm 51:10).

14 kindness "Lord, may my children 'always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else'" (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

15 generosity "Grant that my children may 'be generous and willing to share [and so] lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age'" (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

16 peace, peaceability "Father, let my children 'make every effort to do what leads to peace'" (Romans 14:19).

17 joy " May my children be filled 'with the joy given by the Holy Spirit'" (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

18 perseverance " Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to 'run with perseverance the race marked out for [them]'" (Hebrews 12:1).

19 humility " God, please cultivate in my children the ability to 'show true humility toward all'" (Titus 3:2).

20 compassion " Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion" (Colossians 3:12).

21 responsibility " Grant that my children may learn responsibility, 'for each one should carry his own load'" (Galatians 6:5).

22 contentment " Father, teach my children 'the secret of being content in any and every situation. . . . through him who gives [them] strength'" (Philippians 4:12-13).

23 faith " I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them" (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40).

24 a servant heart " God, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, 'as to the Lord, and not to men'" (Ephesians 6:7, KJV).

25 hope " May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

26 the willingness and ability to work hard " Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, 'as working for the Lord, not for men'" (Colossians 3:23).

27 a passion for God " Lord, please instill in my children a soul that "followeth hard after thee," a heart that clings passionately to you (Psalm 63:8, KJV).

28 self-discipline " Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire 'a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair'" (Proverbs 1:3).

29 prayerfulness " Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to 'pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Ephesians 6:18).

30 gratitude " Help my children to live lives that are always 'overflowing with thankfulness,' 'always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ'" (Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 5:20).

31 a heart for missions " Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:3).

Take the challenge with me and starting today (May 14th) pray these for your children for the next month. God is faithful all the time!!

A Faith like Abraham's

In Sunday school today the lesson really hit home for me.  We have been studying in Genesis and the story of Abraham.  Today we talked about Abraham's test of sacraficing his only son.  Talk about a test of faith!!!    Of course God dispises human sacrafice. Obviously this was a test of Abraham's devotion to God. It required that Abraham give up the most precious thing to him, other than his relationship with God.  Throughout this whole journey you can see eveidence of Abraham's faith in the way that he obeyed.   And then his obedience is rewarded. 

Jay mentioned in class that Abraham is the only person who has even an inkling of what God did for us through Christ in that God sacraficed his only Son for us.  All of this really made me reflect on my precious children, my gifts from God.  How do I react to tests?  I can honestly say I have grown in this area. Meaning I haven grown because of numerous tests of faith this past year alone!!!  I of course still have more room to grow and I seek God first.  I am not always patient with His timing but I know He will see me through and He will provide.  Tests are strictly for us not for God.  I believe they are  to strengthen and grow our character.

How do you handle God's tests?