Thursday, January 28, 2010

One Year Ago

About this time one year ago, I drove my father to the hospital, he died that afternoon. I am still sorry I was not there because I returned to work for an hour, but I am glad my last words to him were, "I love you."

So many of you prayed for him, my mother, and me for 2 years. I am so thankful for the prayers.

I am not sad today secure in the knowledge of where he is...

Remember Earth is our temporary home, we are going to live in a place with no tears, no sickness, no disease, no war, no poverty and no sin!

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Scripture

Please leave a comment with your favorite (if there is such a thing) verse and or a verse/verses you have used to stand during a situation or a verse you are currently using as you face life...I gathered verses 2 years ago friends sent to me; the Holy Spirit led me to write a prayer with them. We'll see what happens this year.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Spending Saturday with My Sisters in Christ

Saturday I met Angie in person...it was such a joy and delight...I have read her blog for nearly 2 years. I caught the end of the final praise and worship at the Beth Moore Siesta Weekend in Houston, the presence of the Lord almost knocked me over when I entered the room.

Annette G (Annie's Eyes Blog), Ang and I went to lunch. I still cannot believe I have met 2 of my blogging sisters in person. Gives me hope, I will meet more of you before we are dancing together on streets of gold.

I spent a lot of time in the yard planting flowers yesterday, 120 of them, 40 more to go...can I just tell you I need aspirin and Ben Gay! Just as I plant flowers in the yard, I am going to plant God's word in my heart this year, though it will probably be 12-20 verses this year,

Have a blessed week and stay in the Word!


Have a blessed week!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Let's Run with Joy to the Finish Line

The Houston Marathon is this weekend, maybe that's why I have a picture of running. My new memory verse is:

Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Sometimes I think we treat life like a sprint, a walk, a trot, or a dash- but in reality our life on earth is a marathon. Some of the marathon is like running on a smooth, flat surface. Some of it is like running uphill on a severely rutted road filled with pot holes. The good news is Jesus is with us all the way. He is with us on the flat surface, He is with us running up the rutted road and right along side us as we run downhill. We forget He even carries us.

We don't know when we'll cross the finish line, but God the Father Almighty does.

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, pressing onward - knowing we will spend eternity in heaven!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Friday, January 8, 2010

Praise Report

Lisa had more tests conducted on her pancreas, the spot was still there. Then she had the MRI and the spot was gone. She does NOT have cancer of the pancreas. Thank You Lord!!! We praise You and thank You and give You all the glory!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Back to Egypt

The Bible has a few examples of people looking back instead of looking forward, pressing toward the finish line with their eyes on the promised Messiah.

Lot drug his feet and really did not want to leave town, his wife looked back...some of the most famous words in the Bible are found in Gen. 19: 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. She looked back, let's face it their life was not so great in their former home. Sin abounded, Lot offered his daughters to the depraved men who were trying to break into his house.

To me the most astounding story of looking back is the story of the Israelites thinking this is the pits, let's go back to being slaves in Egypt.

Numbers 20:2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! 4 Why did you bring the LORD's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!"

Think of the miracles and provision these people experienced!!! How soon they forgot and thought - slavery smavery, it was not so bad, we had a lot of food choices. Before we think what was wrong with those people, we have to remember we are those people.

Many times an old situation which is not healthy, or a relationship which is not pleasing to God, or even an old habit is so familiar it seems better than the here and now and the future. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord and press forward - following Him.

Feast on the words from Phil 3:12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

The next time you feel like returning to Egypt take a deep breath and look toward the Lord and race for Him.

Monday, January 4, 2010

A Shadow and Fear

My friend Lisa had extensive medical tests last week so her endicrinologist can figure out what is going on with her.

A spot which may be a shadow was discovered on her pancreas which has caused Lisa great fear. I am praying for a completely healthy pancreas and for her to be spiritually whole in Christ Jesus and to have a fresh revelation of God's love for her. I pray she knows He really REALLY loves her, in fact that He's crazy about her.

This is a situation in which having Scripture hidden in our heart is a bonus, the enemy loves to attack our thought life as we lie in bed at night trying to sleep while waiting on test results. He whispers - it's cancer, you'll probably die. When we know Scripture we can combat these lies with the Living Word of God which is sharper than a double edged sword.

Is Lisa's situation serious, it might be, it might be nothing at all. Great I Am is bigger than any foe we have. Our God, Our Shield, the Great I Am is bigger than any foe. If you need prayer, please leave a comment...

Let the words from Psalm 103 wash over you...bathe you, permeqte the very fiber of your being. Please pray for Lisa as well...

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Friday, January 1, 2010

Jan 1, 2010

A new year, a new decade, magazines with advice on everything from how to declutter to walk off 40 lbs in the new year, television shows and news segments on how to keep your resolutions.

One problem with resolutions is they are usually focused on self which is not necessarily a good thing. A resolution may seem like a wonderful idea but it may not get down to the root of the problem you want to correct.

I prefer goals. I have 3 goals this year, they are (you knew I would share):

To Grow in Christ Jesus
To Live out His Word
To become physically and spiritually fit

At the end of August I went on a diet, I have knocked off 31 lbs, have another 30 to go. I gained 35 lbs the 1st six weeks dad was in the hospital in 2008. My doctor told me part of my problem (besides eating too much during this time, eating junk all of 2008 when he was in the hospital for so long), not exercising enough, some of this was stress induced, my adrenal glands were shot, my thyroid is not low, but is at the very low end of normal. I was glad to hear this because I was beginning to believe I was a lazy woman who ate too much. (We will not discuss what I ate at my coffee yesterday and anyway Leslie, verified the dark chocolate cupcakes were indeed filled with antioxidants!)

So in keeping with a new year and a new decade, I want you to remember we are new creatures in Chirst Jesus, He renews our minds, He gives us a new heart of flesh...in Him we have NEW life.

Let's celebrate the new. Let's keep our eyes on Him.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Happy New Year! Stay in the Word, The Word brings life!