The Practice of Love, Unconditional

As I sit in the background of quiet cartoons leading to nap time, the babies dozing and the Princess guiding them off to afternoon slumber...

I regret my choice.

You see, I had a chance just this morning to Love. To quiet my thoughts and bear his burden. To listen and not speak all the words swirling in my head.


I had a chance to express Love in the kindest way...without condition.


Managing to make it thorough another 24hrs of the second life he once loved to live. He made the stop before home, the one for all our comfort, the same one every 3rd day, to release the busyness, the stress, to make the switch from being "on call" to being husband, daddy.

Exercise releases all that, eases the transition.

He arrived hot and tired. The house already buzzing with little voices, pretend car engines revving and squeals from girls playing.

It can be a lot. The pressure.

He needed me to listen, I did, but then I suggested and added pressure.

When the hose is charged, pressure added, if the seals not tight it will burst. Every time.

I didn't make sure the seal was tight.

What if I had been quiet, just listened? Been honoring? I thought I was but when there is even just a hint of self it doesn't come across that way.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I am sorry for adding stress, for assuming, for implying, expecting and Loving with conditions.

I will keep practicing: LOVE!

When all else has failed: Cry out, then Listen!

It's amazing, how when we ask he answers. How when I finally give up again, he comes to my rescue.

Last week I was frustrated, still am but better now. He gave me a verse and I read it and I wrote it and I spoke it straight to him with the ounces I had left that day.

Lord, Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.

Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.

~ Psalm 31:2-4

He did, that very evening as a matter of fact! He heard me and now as I look back I am reminded "What an amazing God we serve"

He loves me and he loves you! No matter what we do, what we think or how we act...he loves us each and every one.

I was dropping off little voices to blend with the choir when in the hall of the north wing I found his answer! They stood there talking, deciding what tables to use and whether to brew coffee.

The workbooks, brand new, still with the cardboard smell, lie there on the table drawing me. I had decided no more workbooks. I don't finish, I never finish so what's the point in starting. I'll just keep doing my own thing!

I know he knows all but I think, often, I can out plan him. I surrendered my plan and humbled myself to pick up the pen, black on white, I wrote my name, the only one in written ink. The others had all signed up by the deadline. I lifted a book from the stack of twenty and trusted this was what he wanted me to do, Break Free from the pattern, Break Free from all that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. (Heb 12:1)

The video was amazing! The same words I used "Not the same thing, again!" were used and I was touched, by the one who cares so much for me.

Week Three: Who exactly do you think you are?

My mind tries to fathom who you are. My brain reaches to understand your majesty but it is impossible to take in all that you are.

The one who "laid the foundations of the Earth and gives order to the morning". The God who knows "when mountain goats give birth and who gives the horse it's strength". The one who "has seen the gates of the shadow of death and sends the lightning bolts in their way".

Oh God of the universe, expand my mind with more of you! Fill me with more of your presence, and Father, when I am prideful and think I know all remind me as you did Job of your Majesty. Remind me that you and only you know all things, that if I can't wrap my brain around your creation, what makes me think I will understand your ways!

Trust, Faith in you is vital!

And when I realize my insufficency, Lord let me Praise you.

Job 38-41

Week Two: What's going on?

Well, a bit behind but it's all good!

God's got me right where he wants me :)

The past week has been unexpected to say the least. Saturday the 9th was the start of the craziest day we've had in a long time. Faith was hanging out with a girl friend at her house, Bill was on duty at the Fire Dept and as for myself and Ty, well we started the whole mess!

We were enjoying the quiet house and beautiful day then Ty decided to play outside while I sat at the dining room table to do some reading in my bible. As I wrapped up the remainder of the reading for that day, I kid you not, I finished the last verse and heard a blood curdling scream from outside! Being the mom of this kid, I paused for a moment and listened for more, which would give the indication that he was not kidding! The second scream came and I was like "grease lightening", up from the chair and out the door I flew. There was Ty running towards me, holding his face and screaming that the dog had bit him. I took a look and yup there was definitely an abrasion. It looked more like a cut than a bite but either way it was gonna need some medical attention.

To make this painfully long story short, we spent way to much time in the ER waiting for stitches that never came, nor did any sort of cleaning agent. The wound was sealed up with a kind of super glue for skin and we were sent on our way. Upon my arrival home from the ER with Ty, Bill called to inform me he was being taken to the ER for chest pain. This was going to be a long night!

After running some tests and an overnighter at the hospital, the doctor couldn't seem to find any reason for the sudden pain. Sunday after church Bill was being discharged and Ty's germ infested wound was now dangerously infected and had to be delt with! Monday and Tuesday we had Dr's appointments, a follow up for Bill that showed an arterial blockage and traumatizing procedures for Ty, where the skin glue (dermabond) had to be ripped off to allow the infection out. The following days we simply had to clean it and redress it with gauze ect. Bill was scheduled for a heart cath which revealed NOTHING! The blockage was there...then gone, Prayer works people!

Putting all our immediate family emergencies aside, my extended family seems to be literally falling apart! Ministry is proving to be a daunting task, My kids are pecking the very flesh off my bones and I feel totally insufficient to deal with any of it.

I know I can't deal with any of it on my own

but remembering it is the challenge!

That is why I believe God's got me right where he wants me...totally striped of the control I thought I had and bare, waiting on Him, trusting Him and being reminded of His power. Power to give it all and take it all away. That's exactly what happens in the book of Job. Over the last week and a half that's where He's got me reading His word, in the book that paints the picture of blessing through suffering.

I know, too often I think it's all about me and the things that happen

or don't happen have everything to do with me.

Not to mention that sometimes it feels like I didn't do anything

to deserve the suffering I feel.

But

What if it has nothing to do with me?

What if it is solely to prove His power?

What if it has everything to do with glorifying and praising Him!

"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

Job 2:10

Week One: What a beginning!

How can you believe it but not believe it at the same time?
I have never read through the entire Bible before, ever! But this year 2010 will be different...I can feel it already. I new sense of expectancy, a new sense of excitement, a desire to know all I can about the book I am to use as a road map for this life!

I began this week in Genesis, the place you should begin, The Beginning. It's interesting to me that as I read, the fact that I've heard, read and taught this story before didn't help me, it actually hendered me. I began to skim right over the words themselves. I caught myself, slowed down and really took the time to see what I was reading. It makes me wonder how often we read things and don't see them, don't take the time to soak up what the Lord has for us in it.

As I saw it, I began to realize that God created this place for us to praise Him. So that every time we see a beautiful flower, a dolphin gliding on the water, a child's precious glance, the love of a spouse, the warmth of the sun on our skin... He did each and every thing so that we would remember Him and Praise Him! Now, I know this but when you are reminded of the things you know you remember them :)

This year is going to be like no other.
I can't wait to learn the things I don't know and remember things I do!

Dig deep

As Summer fades and Autumn falls, we must remain willing. Continue or simply begin loosening up the soil with in us, so that it is ready for the planting, so that it is ready for the harvest.

Should we neglect to dig deep, to break up our hard places through vulnerable time with the Savior, we may miss the Summer of our lives. We may miss the abundant harvest He wishes to plant in the soil of our soul.

As this weather season changed let our hearts change too! Let us turn from selfishness to selflessness, let us turn from pride to humility and Lord let us see the crops you've planted this season be harvested the next. Nurture our soil. Help us dig deep, down to the rich fertile goodness.

May your Autumn bring willingness to loosen up the soil within you and break up the hard places so He has a place to plant. nurture. grow. and produce a harvest that will glorify Him.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of

righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11

It is hard to get up early. It is hard to throw back the warm blankets and reveal the cold air. It is not pleasant for me to get up and stumble to the coffee pot but the harvest that it will bring will be worth so much more than those extra few minutes under the cozy covers.

the silent...quiet ones

...these are the prayers that mean so much, when you know He knows and you meet, completely understood. It's hard to break away, they all need so much...I think I need something else, do I? Not hardly, Him, in the quiet...me silent, is all that can fix everything!

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, Oh Lord. Ps 139:4

When I awake,
I am still
with you. v.18

For This I'm On My Knees

Lord, For this, I am on my knees

...your provision please.

I catch a glimpse here and there,

yet still I need to see you!

I pray for wisdom in these days,

and need your guidance each and every step of the way.

Lord, show me how to bow to you,

with heart wide open and less to prove.

Fill me with your gracious touch,

and help me keep my flesh shut up.

It gets away and can run quite wild,

But I know your guidance can calm this child.

Lord, For this, I am on my knees,

for you my God, to help me!

Our recipe for prayer

We read this morning in Matthew 6:9-13 the best way to pray, then we made our own recipe for prayer, literally.

Here's how we did it:
5 trail mix type ingredients (we just used what we had in the pantry and it worked out great)


Place a small hand full of each in a snack/sandwich bag and identify how each can remind you of the 5 ingredients in the Lord's Payer.

• Praise - honoring God (sm marshmallows-sinless/white, fluffy/happy praise)
• Purpose - wanting Gods will not our own (raisins-someone dried prunes for the purpose of creating raisins)
• Provision - trusting God to take care of us (graham cracker broken up like sm pieces of bread)
• Pardon - forgiveness from God and for others (plain chex cereal-jail cell bars ect)
• Protection - from temptation and evil (semi-sweet chocolate chips-tempting)

Our plan is to use them at snack time in our home and recall each ingredients meaning. We also want to make some for other family/friends and start kind of an "friendship bread" chain with Prayer Trail mixes!

Would you like to be one of the first to join our chain...?

Make enough trail mixes to give to all the members of the 2-3 families/friends of your choice...much like friendship bread.

Ex. We choose Sally Sue's family of 4, we will made 4 trail mixes for them and encourage them to read the passage in scripture, talk with their family about it and then keep the chain going by choosing a couple families to make the recipe for!

Include a post card size copy of this info in the baggies.

Write with sharpie on the outside of the baggie...

Matthew 6:9-13

"The Recipe for Prayer"

Have fun making and recalling Gods "Recipe for Prayer" this was an amazing teachable moment in our home!!! We will continue to make trail mix this way and encorage you to do it to.

FYI: The taste wasn't to shabby either!

Begining the Journey

Well, In our home we pray normally before meals and at bed time. My Husband and I for whatever reason have not made it a point to pray regularly together or as a family. I know how vital this is in our walk, yet for some reason we still don't make it happen. I will have every good intention of doing so and still set it on a shelf...

Just this past Monday began the journey of more regular prayer time for us, Praise God! With dinner done house quickly picked up we met in the living room with soft music on, all ready to read from Gods Word and then Pray together. We read in Philippians, due to this being a difficult financial and emotional time for us. Then we did it...from his daddy chair he suggested we also add something about today that we were thankful for! Amazing what happens when we let down our guard, open up, being honest with Christ and yes, each other too!

Next night we would meet there again in our family devotion/prayer spot, cuddled together with pillows and blankets. This time Daddy reads from Philippians and we listen to what our heavenly father has for us this night. We are tired tonight, much yawning and squirming but we listen then pray...together!

So our journey of prayer together begins...

Continuing the Pilgimage Through Prayer

At times I find it hard to do it right.
I mean really focus or say the right thing.

Good news is, God isn't looking for me to do it right.

He isn't looking for me to say the right things.

All He wants is my honesty, humility and time...

Matthew tells the way the hypocrites and pagans prayed back in the day...standing in front of everyone so they could be seen...babbling on and on hoping to have their many words heard.

My Prayer is for our Unseen Father, to help me to pray not for the reward of others but for His reward. For Him to show me how to just talk to Him about life about the everyday stuff that I am happy about, confused about and dealing with. He already knows our every need even before we ask! So, see we don't have to do it right or have the right words cause He already knows it all.

He just wants us to be with Him!

In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector we are told not to pray with pride, in a way that's all about us ie. Thank you that I'm notlike so and so... I' so glad I do this and that. We should Humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift us up James 4:1. We/I need to be honest, open up about my stuff (cause remember, He does already know it) and trust Him. Lay my Pride aside and humble myself before Him.

I pray that you and I would quiet ourselves
and take time to spend with our God.
Go ahead... Nobodys watching but Him...It's quiet...
And the Lord who created You and wants to talk with you is waiting...

A Pilgrimage into Prayer

Into prayer?
Where is that? How do you journey there?

For me it's simply to begin...

To find a place, a spot to share
Sit down and think of you, right there
Begin to talk with you...
Give you my heart and open up
Yes, let you overflow my cup

When I make plans and meet you there,
that's the journey into prayer!

How the Word Lives

The Word lives...
When I own it, When I decide to use it
When I look around me and see you,
When I sit quietly and listen...
to the maker of the universe
Listen to how much He loves me,
Listen to the words He has for me today

... be still and know that I am God

... test me on this...I will open the
windows of Heaven for you and pour out
all the blessings you need.

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
Isaiah 43:10

The Word that Woos

These posts are insired by aholyexperience.com I found this site and fell in love with it! Every Wednesday I am going to post according to the "challenge" found there.

oh lord, so amazing, so lovely, so strong yet gentle. lord you call me to yourself. draw me to your word that i might live, live life abundantly by your grace. great and mighty god i am so humbled that you would love me, love me enough to give yourself for me. that you have promised to never leave me nor forsake me. lord, remind me that you...

... know the plans you have for me. plans to prosper me and not harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future. then i will call upon you and come and pray to you, and you will listen to me. that i will will seek you and find you when i seek you with all my heart. you will be found in me, and you will bring me back from captivity. you will gather me from all the nations...

Jeremiah 29:11-14