I've been silenced today with the reminder of the myriad of blessings I have been given in my family. My blessed husband who spent the last 3 days helping rebuild a church in New Orleans. My adorable children who challenge and humble me. We spent many moments today singing praise songs to Jesus - something my son loves to do. I love his love for singing and that he'll join me in dancing for our Lord.
Love Jesus, sweetheart. Love Jesus, my babies. Love Him with complete abandon. This is the cry of my heart.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Only Me
I had one of those moments today when I began to feel the world close in around me. This wasn't a big moment, but it was still beginning to suffocate. My mind immediately went to whom I could call to ask for prayer (I even dialed a number)...then I thought about sending an email to my gaggle of gals who pray so faithfully for me...then I thought about calling my husband asking him to come home early to make it all okay...and then I heard a voice inside reminding me that none of those options was the right one. I just stopped in the doorway of my kitchen crying out to my God with tears running down my face. "I can't do it anymore. I have to let go, and YOU are the only One that can help me do that."
How many times I've prayed those words; yet I still struggle to release complete control to Him. One pebble at a time and the mountain will be moved. I do consider it a victory that I cried out to Him, and Him only, instead of seeking solace from others.
How many times I've prayed those words; yet I still struggle to release complete control to Him. One pebble at a time and the mountain will be moved. I do consider it a victory that I cried out to Him, and Him only, instead of seeking solace from others.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Speaking through fleas
Have you ever tried to get rid of fleas? My first experience with this has been over the past couple of weeks. Here is a quick recap of what we have tried:
1. Bought over-the-counter monthly flea stuff for the dog
2. Applied it twice in one month
3. Got dog dipped at groomers
4. Had home and yard treated (fortunately at no cost since we are Terminix customers) - this involves vacuuming all furniture, washing or exposing of dog bedding, moving everything off the floor, thoroughly vacuuming all floors before they treat, then vacuuming every day after that for a week. Don't forget being gone from the house for 4 hours.
5. Buying flea shampoo and spray...bathing the dog as often as the shampoo allows and spraying the furniture.
Next step: getting the expensive stuff from the vet to treat her monthly now that 2 weeks have passed since the last dose - we didn't want to poison her!
I am so annoyed that I still find fleas, but they appear to almost indestructible. God has used this experience to speak very clearly to me...I know, you are wondering how God could speak through fleas!!!
As I labored vacuuming our floors and baseboards a couple of weeks ago preparing for treating our home, I was amazed at the dust/dirt that was hiding. Some of it wasn't really hiding, but I had simply ignored it for too long. Once the house was ready I simply waited upon the arrival of the Terminix man to do the heavy duty stuff. God reminded me how my heart and life can be just like my house. There are areas I don't tend to because they aren't readily visible to others. There are areas that get overlooked because I see them every day...and their unsightliness happens over a period of time. Just as my house needs a good deep cleaning each year along with regular cleaning, my heart, mind and soul require the same attention. Just as I didn't feel my house was really dirty until those pesky little creatures starting biting me, I often don't feel I am dirty until my anger/jealousy/bitterness/judgmental spirit begins to creep into my talk or my actions or becomes all consuming. Upon closer look, I soon realize how bad things have gotten thanks to my indifference on a daily basis. I have to spring clean my heart, mind and soul as well as tend to it on a regular basis; however, there are certain things that only the Professional can take care of...and that requires me to wait on Him.
And it isn't always a one-time treatment fix...sometimes I have to revisit the issue before it is truly gone. Fortunately the Professional will make as many house calls as I need!
1. Bought over-the-counter monthly flea stuff for the dog
2. Applied it twice in one month
3. Got dog dipped at groomers
4. Had home and yard treated (fortunately at no cost since we are Terminix customers) - this involves vacuuming all furniture, washing or exposing of dog bedding, moving everything off the floor, thoroughly vacuuming all floors before they treat, then vacuuming every day after that for a week. Don't forget being gone from the house for 4 hours.
5. Buying flea shampoo and spray...bathing the dog as often as the shampoo allows and spraying the furniture.
Next step: getting the expensive stuff from the vet to treat her monthly now that 2 weeks have passed since the last dose - we didn't want to poison her!
I am so annoyed that I still find fleas, but they appear to almost indestructible. God has used this experience to speak very clearly to me...I know, you are wondering how God could speak through fleas!!!
As I labored vacuuming our floors and baseboards a couple of weeks ago preparing for treating our home, I was amazed at the dust/dirt that was hiding. Some of it wasn't really hiding, but I had simply ignored it for too long. Once the house was ready I simply waited upon the arrival of the Terminix man to do the heavy duty stuff. God reminded me how my heart and life can be just like my house. There are areas I don't tend to because they aren't readily visible to others. There are areas that get overlooked because I see them every day...and their unsightliness happens over a period of time. Just as my house needs a good deep cleaning each year along with regular cleaning, my heart, mind and soul require the same attention. Just as I didn't feel my house was really dirty until those pesky little creatures starting biting me, I often don't feel I am dirty until my anger/jealousy/bitterness/judgmental spirit begins to creep into my talk or my actions or becomes all consuming. Upon closer look, I soon realize how bad things have gotten thanks to my indifference on a daily basis. I have to spring clean my heart, mind and soul as well as tend to it on a regular basis; however, there are certain things that only the Professional can take care of...and that requires me to wait on Him.
And it isn't always a one-time treatment fix...sometimes I have to revisit the issue before it is truly gone. Fortunately the Professional will make as many house calls as I need!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
God's Eyes
God’s Eyes
By Melanie Chitwood (from Encouragement for Today online devotional)
”For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
One of my favorite things to do is watch my twelve-year-old son Zachary play basketball. I’m his biggest fan. Even though he’s at an age when he’s easily embarrassed, I cheer as loudly as I can knowing my cheers encourage him. When I’m watching his game, I am completely focused on my son.
This is how God looks at each one of us. We, His children, are the focus of His attention. The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 16:9 exactly who God focuses on and why: “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
God’s focus is on “those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” I can just imagine God’s eyes searching for the woman who would become the mother to his son Jesus. Then He sees Mary, nods His head and says, That’s the one. I can imagine God searching for the person to have faith to build the Ark even though he’s never seen a drop of rain. Then He sees Noah, nods His head, and says that’s the one. Imagine Him searching for the person who would persevere in the wilderness for forty years. He sees Moses, nods his head, and says that’s the one
What are your thoughts as you imagine God’s eyes resting on you? Sometimes I’ve been unsure and even afraid of God’s eyes resting on me. I look at my failures and think I don’t measure up, that I won’t be the one God’s looking for. I see so clearly the days when I’ve selfishly thought of my own needs, instead of my husband’s. I see the days when I’ve spoken harsh words to my children, instead of responding with patience. I remember times when I’ve judged or criticized other women.
We have to be careful not to make this mistake. We have to believe what is true, not the lies and accusations of the enemy. God is not looking for the woman who’s perfect or serves in the most ministries. He’s not looking for the woman who never misses a quiet time with Him or who never doubts.
God is looking for the woman who’s fully committed to Him, a woman like you or me, whose heart is saying yes to God. Yes, I’ll love my husband for You, Lord. Yes, I’ll turn off the TV to read a Bible story to my kids. Yes, I’ll call a friend to encourage her. And yes, when I fail to do what You want me to do, I’ll confess my sin, receive Your forgiveness, and press on in faith.
God is our greatest cheerleader, not our greatest critic. When His eyes light on His children, they are eyes of compassion and lovingkindness, not criticism or judgment.
The verses in Chronicles tell us why God looks for us: He wants to strengthen us. His attention on His children is like that of a parent cheering in the stands. God’s focus says, You can do it! I believe in you!
So how do we become a woman fully committed to Him? Not by pretending we have no fear, relying on our own strength, or by striving to be perfect. We sit at His feet and worship and adore Him, thanking Him for the blessings in our lives. We pour out our hearts in confession to the Lord, read His word and obey His commands.
Then our hearts will be knit with His, and we will be women fully committed to Him. When God’s eyes search the whole earth, they’ll stop on us, He’ll nod His head, and He’ll say, “They’re the ones”.
By Melanie Chitwood (from Encouragement for Today online devotional)
”For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
One of my favorite things to do is watch my twelve-year-old son Zachary play basketball. I’m his biggest fan. Even though he’s at an age when he’s easily embarrassed, I cheer as loudly as I can knowing my cheers encourage him. When I’m watching his game, I am completely focused on my son.
This is how God looks at each one of us. We, His children, are the focus of His attention. The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 16:9 exactly who God focuses on and why: “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
God’s focus is on “those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” I can just imagine God’s eyes searching for the woman who would become the mother to his son Jesus. Then He sees Mary, nods His head and says, That’s the one. I can imagine God searching for the person to have faith to build the Ark even though he’s never seen a drop of rain. Then He sees Noah, nods His head, and says that’s the one. Imagine Him searching for the person who would persevere in the wilderness for forty years. He sees Moses, nods his head, and says that’s the one
What are your thoughts as you imagine God’s eyes resting on you? Sometimes I’ve been unsure and even afraid of God’s eyes resting on me. I look at my failures and think I don’t measure up, that I won’t be the one God’s looking for. I see so clearly the days when I’ve selfishly thought of my own needs, instead of my husband’s. I see the days when I’ve spoken harsh words to my children, instead of responding with patience. I remember times when I’ve judged or criticized other women.
We have to be careful not to make this mistake. We have to believe what is true, not the lies and accusations of the enemy. God is not looking for the woman who’s perfect or serves in the most ministries. He’s not looking for the woman who never misses a quiet time with Him or who never doubts.
God is looking for the woman who’s fully committed to Him, a woman like you or me, whose heart is saying yes to God. Yes, I’ll love my husband for You, Lord. Yes, I’ll turn off the TV to read a Bible story to my kids. Yes, I’ll call a friend to encourage her. And yes, when I fail to do what You want me to do, I’ll confess my sin, receive Your forgiveness, and press on in faith.
God is our greatest cheerleader, not our greatest critic. When His eyes light on His children, they are eyes of compassion and lovingkindness, not criticism or judgment.
The verses in Chronicles tell us why God looks for us: He wants to strengthen us. His attention on His children is like that of a parent cheering in the stands. God’s focus says, You can do it! I believe in you!
So how do we become a woman fully committed to Him? Not by pretending we have no fear, relying on our own strength, or by striving to be perfect. We sit at His feet and worship and adore Him, thanking Him for the blessings in our lives. We pour out our hearts in confession to the Lord, read His word and obey His commands.
Then our hearts will be knit with His, and we will be women fully committed to Him. When God’s eyes search the whole earth, they’ll stop on us, He’ll nod His head, and He’ll say, “They’re the ones”.
Monday, July 2, 2007
A twist on an oldie
Music speaks to me. It can touch places in my soul that just about nothing else can. Yesterday we sang a song after a powerful sermon that did just that. It's a twist on a very familiar hymn, and I thought I would share the words (I especially love the refrain repeated at the end):
I hear the Savior say
"Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."
Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow'r, and Thine alone,
Can change a leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete
"Jesus died my soul to save"
My lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.
I hear the Savior say
"Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."
Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow'r, and Thine alone,
Can change a leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete
"Jesus died my soul to save"
My lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.
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