Yesterday my 1 Peter 3 online group fasted and prayed again. I did this a few weeks ago and it was amazing. This time was a struggle in many different ways. I woke up hungry, and in two hours I had fixed 3 breakfasts and packed 2 lunches. My husband was home sick with the flu. I sat down to write a prayer and my pen died. I started to pray and a telemarketer called twice. I had an annoying ringing in my ears that would not stop. Ironically it is gone today! And I just didn’t feel well. My stomach hurt, I was queasy and light headed to boot! I was under attack, both physically and mentally. But I persevered and called on the Lord for my strength, and He provided. He sustained me all day, until around 8:40 last night when I was able to eat. I know that satan was scared of all the praying I was doing, and that’s why he was trying to pull me away. It was hard yesterday, and I really struggled. I was surprised to get online last night and find messages from several others in the group who struggled as well. It is proof that there’s power in prayer. I prayed for everyone that I prayed for last time, and added 8 more to the list. I really prayed for a breakthrough in my family. In the afternoon I got the chance to just sit and listen for Him after I prayed. That was hard for me because of the distractions, and I just kept interjecting with more prayers and thoughts. What I got from it was the number 6, and I kept hearing/singing a song we sang at church last week called On My Cross by Ffh. Another song that was playing both times I got in the car to pick up my kids was Casting Crowns East to West. I thought both of the songs reflect working on me spiritually, and I was unsure what the number 6 meant. A friend from 1 Peter 3 did some research on the number 6, and it is really interesting. I’m having trouble uploading it, so I’ll have to post on that later. The overall impression of yesterday’s fast was Faith, Obedience and Discipline. God is at work, and He’s changing me too. More later on the fast and meaning of number 6.
Monthly Archives: February 2008
Works for Me Wednesday
We don’t have city water, we have a well. Yeah, we live in the suburbs! Our water is so hard and rusty. We used to have a water softener, and then my husband had to disconnect it for some reason, I can’t remember why. Anyway, it hasn’t worked for a while now. We have a drip in the kids bathtub, and it leaves a really nice round rust stain. I’ve tried all the recommended rust removers, and out of frustration one day I squirted a little of the Sno Bowl toilet cleaner on a toothbrush. Ya know what, it worked really well. Very little scrubbing and the stain was gone. Be sure to read the label to see what you can use it on, but it works for me. For more great ideas, check out Rocks in My Dryer.
Scrapbook Saturday
This past Saturday I had so much fun with my friend Deb. For over 12 hours we scrapbooked, shopped and talked. It was my first time to go, and the place was amazing. So much stuff to shop for….hhmmm, sorry, I was just envisioning it all! I’m one of those scrappers that loves the beautiful and elaborate pages but doesn’t want to take the time to make them. Every now and then I will, but mostly it’s all about the pictures and the journaling. Well, you can’t go to one of these places without being so totally intimidated into taking the time to make some of those pages. I think we’d been there for around 7 hours when one lady calls out that she had 2 pages done. What!? I had 2 pages done before lunch! At the end of the day, I had finished 23 pages, and am ready for Christmas of 2004. Yes, I said 2004! All in all, it was a good time and I have some “amazing” pages for my daughter. (her word).
I’m also excited to say that Creative Memories is coming out with true 12 x 12 pages! No more trimming the scrapbook store paper to make it fit.
“Moore” Monday #13
LIKE EVE, WE WANT TO FEEL SMART,
BUT NOTHING IS MORE IGNORANT
THAN CHOOSING
MAN’S INTELLIGENCE OVER GOD’S.
Lord God, when You asked the woman in the Garden, “What is this you have done?” her response was, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13).
Just as Eve was decieved by the serpent’s cunning, the minds of even those with a sincere and pure devotion to Christ can be led astray (2 Cor. 11:3).
Please help me always be aware that the enemy will be up to his old tricks. Even the devout believer can be led astray if not held continually on the path by Your Word and keenly aware of Satan’s schemes. Help me not be deceived by the serpent’s cunning.
Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day
Instant Gratification
We complain about the cross we bear but don’ t realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road ahead that God can see and we can’t.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain.
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God’s always ready, to answer your call.
He knows every heartache, He sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear.
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn’s early light.
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
I’ve been reminded so much lately that God never promised my cross wouldn’t be heavy, but He has promised me the victory and that I would not walk alone. I hope this makes you stop and think, and cause your lips to praise Him even if you are in the valley or in the midst of a raging storm. You are not alone.
President anyone?!
Please excuse me as I jump right off my soapbox before I even share my frustrations with you about the presidential candidates. I just feel the need to pray for our country.
Dear God,
I come to You now to celebrate this nation and surrender its destiny to You. Thank you for giving us this country. I thank You and ask You to bless the souls of those who founded this nation, this ONE NATION UNDER GOD. Fill us with Your love and righteousness, so that we can bring healing to our country. May we be cleansed of all our destructive thoughts. May judgement of others, such as bigotry, racism, and intolerance be taken from us, wash us clean, O Lord. Let our minds be filled with thoughts of You, and Your unconditional love and acceptance for all peoples. May you forgive us, this nation, of our transgressions, and bless us. Help us to learn from our mistakes. Use us for Your good. Turn our lives into instruments of resurrection, that the sins of our fathers might be reversed through us. May the beauty of this land burst forth in the hearts of the people. May the dreams of our forefathers be realized in us, so that we might live in honesty, integrity, and excellence with our neighbors. Make our country a light for all nations, a light of hope, goodness, peace and freedom. Cast darkness and violence out of our midst Dear Lord. May hatred no longer grow here. May we all feel Your grace upon us, and the spirit of truth in our hearts. May we be forgiven, repaired and renewed My Lord. May You bless our children. May You bless our government leaders. O Lord, please bless America.
It’s snowing
It started about two hours ago, right as we had to go pick up Brooke from school. Snow and freezing rain! I was going through the intersection and someone, a dark haired lady in a maroon altima with license plate #575* to be exact, ran through her red light and came right at me into my lane of traffic. Did I mention the snow and freezing rain? Yeah, not a good mix. Tires screeching, me swerving into the other lane to avoid her, and only the hand of God was in between us. Then she sped off, leaving me in shock that we actually didn’t hit. Thank You Lord for saving us!
Thankful Thursday
Iris is hosting Thankful Thursday again, so please go visit her. You’ll leave remembering how blessed you truly are! Here’s what I’m thankful for this week.
God’s grace and love is sufficient for me. No matter what I’m feeling, He is feeling it with me. When I feel like I can’t, He carries me throught it.
Brian and Brooke took a ski trip together and had a wonderful daddy & daughter day. (No broken bones was a plus too!)
Zach has a good group of friends and is actively attending bible club now.
Matthew is the light of my day. He just comes up and gives me a hug or kiss right when I need it!
More snow and ice in the forecast for tonight, maybe we’ll get a 2 hour delay and sleep in…. Maybe?
God is at work in my family, and He’s making visible changes. I am so blessed.
Works for Me Wednesday
I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already, but all the people lined up over at Rocks in My Dryer tell me otherwise. When you’re done here, drop by using the above link and catch all the other great ideas!
Do you suddenly become overwhelmed and short of breath after the Christmas or birthday gifts have been opened and your floor is covered up with pretty paper? I do, but I’ve found a great way to recycle this paper. I just run it through the paper shredder and store it in a bag or box in the basement. When I have a gift for someone special, or one of the kids friends or teachers…it seems like we’re always needing something for someone…back to the subject! When I have a gift, I go to the box of shredded wrapping paper and grab a handful to fill in the bag. It saves money on tissue paper, and I can never make that look right anyway. Now that I’m clipping coupons, I can also do this with the cutouts from the coupons. The shreds are so small you really can’t tell what it is. That’s what works for me!
A Franciscan Benediction
May God bless you with discomfort
at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference in the world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done
to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.