Last Ounce of Courage

Today I worked on a part of the yard that was just filled with brambles.  Years ago I had planted in the space but it is kind of "out of the way"  thus out of mind and eye.  Well 4+ wheelbarrows full and sore muscles later I have "pushed back" and rededicated the land.  Vines, raspberry bushes, weeds, small trees etc etc had all rooted them selves pretty strongly.  

BUT I DID TAKE THE LAND BACK!

Today I went to see the movie "Last Ounce of Courage" with mom and a friend.  It was good and reminded me of my gardening experience.    Our "land" has been taken over ~  our freedoms have been trampled.  We have followed like lambs to the slaughter on many fronts without speaking up.  

If you ever listen to ACLJ (American Council for Law and Justice) you will hear many stories of people that have been TOLD that they cannot bring their Bible to school, pray in public, put up a nativity,  say Merry Christmas,  etc etc etc.  

AND IT NOT TRUE! 

  

Because someone said we can't we just submitted without questioning and finding out the law and or making a call to someone who knows....and the weeds began to grow.  

I, like many, have been passive in some of these areas.   I don't want to make a fuss, be singled out, and often I'm just not sure what my rights are!   Its time we find out!  

Its time that YOU AND I stand up and be counted.  

I will stand and pledge that flag!   

I will pray   

I will carry my Bible  

I will witness  

etc etc etc. 

Stand up friend ~  there's a train on the track and it's coming fast~

Let 's also remember that we must obey God first and foremost!

Blessings!



 

A Centering Prayer

There have been a few times in my life when I was so burdened by a situation that I felt that I could not pray effectively.  Recently with the current political condition of our country I find my self there again.

Last week I spent some time writing what I would call a "Centering Prayer".  This prayer is thought through and I look up Scripture as I go along to "nail it down"

I would like to send it to you .  
When I am burdened again about this situation I will pull this prayer out to read and reread as I remind myself that the Lord is on His throne and in complete control.  Please feel free to use this prayer if it is helpful to you.

Father, I come before You to lay my burdens down 

1Peter 5:7.  I choose to be “anxious for nothing” Phil 4:6 and to believe that YOU are in control Ps 46:1.  The times are heavy that we are living in and many wrangle with the facts and the make believe, BUT YOU are the ONLY ONE who knows the heart of a man Rom 8:27.

The Scripture says that YOU sit on Your throne and laugh Ps 2:4,  that You are able to put a “hook in the jaw of a nation” Ez 38:4, that YOUR arm is NOT too short Is 59:1 and that NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU Luke 1:37!

You tell us that You PUT  authorities in place Rom 13:1 and that YOU hold the world in Your hand (or is that a song J) You and You alone know Your plan and You and You alone know what the tomorrows hold  Is 41:10.

I ask Lord that YOU will place on Your people's heart the need to PRAY ~ the need to go into the quiet place and seek YOUR face, the discipline to quiet themselves and walk in faith that YOU will direct their thoughts and paths as they lay their understanding down. Prov 3:5,6 Lord teach us to keep our opinions and words in, so that we will bring no shame or defame our Heritage in any way Ps 34:13.

I CHOOSE TO TRUST YOU IMPLICITLY FOR THE DAYS AHEAD

After all ~  YOU ARE THE LORD!

Blessings!

Shut Up!

This afternoon as I drove home from the market a car pulled out and looked like it was going to go into my lane.  I beeped the horn and the man SCREAMED,  "SHUT UP"!

Bizarre ~ but it affected me!  

His face was in my memory...his words rang in my ears...He took up space in my spirit and I had not invited him in~!

It reminded me of how much power there is in the spoken word.  

THERE'S ALOT

It is very difficult to have words just skim off of you.   My experience was from a stranger so how much worse from an acquaintance or loved one.

Are you careful about what comes out of  your mouth?  Are you a screamer or reactor rather than a responder?   Do you retaliate with words? When you are in a bad mood does everyone around you know it?

The Scripture says that we will be held accountable for every word that comes out of our mouths!  Matt 12:36

YIKES!

Today listen to yourself.  

Ask the Lord to help you be aware.  

If you are really serious ask some of your friends and family how you are....they probably will be hesitant to share but tell them you need to know.

Maybe you are just a negative talker - I know a few who are ALWAYS on the negative side of neutral.... and I kind of doubt that they even hear themselves anymore.

We are the only ones who can take care of our own stuff.  If you are serious the Lord will grace you to succeed.

Try it ~  I bet you'll like it!

Blessings!

Baring All

Mom and I shared a sandwich at the Junction today.  It was lovely out so we sat on the deck.   While I was in ordering she enjoyed the scenery.   I returned to the table to see her trying to zip her jacket up...You see she had forgotten that it was the ONLY layer that she had on.  She unzipped it to cool off and Oh My Goodness she bared all!!

She was laughing and soon I joined in.   My oh My  we were SURE GLAD that no-one seemed to notice!!

Have you ever "bared all"?

We can AND SHOULD bare all to the Lord.  
He knows it all anyhow.   
Why do we have such a hard time admitting things?  
Why do we try to hide from Him like Adam did?  
Have you ever seen yourself in a young child that is trying to hide the obvious?  (My 4 year old came down stairs one day COVERED in lipstick and told me she had not been getting into makeup!)  

Let's remember that Jesus came to set us free~ (Gal 5:1)  and the enemy will spend his time trying to convince us of otherwise.

Remember the Scripture says "Jesus is a Friend of sinners". Matthew 11:19

He waits,  He longs for you to come,  He knows and holds the power that you need!   Don't hide any longer. 

 BARE IT ALL

Lay it all at His feet,  He will guide you, show you what to do next.  He holds the keys and the answers.  Don't be afraid.

HE LOVES YOU

Blessings!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipwEtvWL_3c

Mid-Day Snack

Today after Prayer Meeting, the ladies went for lunch

 to the Bagel Shoppe.  

This is a ritual.

After eating, we sit around chatting and sharing.

 Mom said, "There is nothing like a muffin and a coffee in the middle of the day. Just a little bit of sweetness tastes so good"

The Scripture says: 

"Taste and see that the Lord is good!"

Psalm 34:8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JN_Z3StQlI

So many have their scheduled "quiet time" with the Lord ~  this is all well and good ~ but do you realize that the Lord has something sweet for you all during the day?

As mom said "there's nothing like it"!

Our Pastor once said he was having his watch alarm go off every 15 minutes just to remind him of the Lord in the middle of his busy day

Take a break friend...you cannot afford NOT to!

Blessings!

The Safest Place

Often I have people ask me if I am scared that some of my children are in "dangerous" places.  When Wes sends out an email about her time in the Brazilian brothels and Jordan spends time with the "down and out" on the streets of Boston , friends and relatives often cringe while conjuring up what the dangers might be.

We have a little saying that you too may have heard;

"There is no safer place on earth than the center of HIS will"

"Rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 
1 Thess 5:16

 Truly there is no better place.   In these uncertain times God is the ONLY secure place.  He will never leave or forsake us.   He says Do not fear 365 times in the Scriptures.   What do you think He is trying to tell us?

Take Him at His Word and get in the CENTER of HIS will.    You will find contentment, peace and comfort that the world is unable to offer.

Blessings

just a piece of kindling

I was sharing with mom today that I was praying about joining one of two committees.   As we shared with each other about the pros and cons she said,  "You know the Lord may use you to simply come alongside to encourage"

I immediately saw a piece of "kindling"   (you know that small piece of dry wood that catches flame easily but does not burn long)
Being from a long line of "fire-starters" :)) I know that most often it takes more than one piece of kindling to start a fire blazing ~ but put another one with it ~  VOILA!  You can start a fire!

Friend don't get discouraged.   

First are you sure you are where the Lord would have you?  Too often we place ourselves without even asking HIS direction
If so ~ GREAT!
If not ~   get to your knees, ask forgiveness and do what you have to do.

Second  do you know what the Lord has for you?
Have you asked?  Are you afraid?  Do you think you don't have anything to offer?
If the Lord is prompting you....move ahead.
You may be that second piece of kindling that will get the fire going.

HE has plans for you you know......As long as you have breath the Lord has a purpose for your life.
Why don't you make sure you know what it is and join HIM in it!

Blessings!! 
Its good to be back  thanks for any and all prayers!