"Pray all the time and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere."
Check out these websites to learn more about Christians who are persecuted, imprisoned, and even tortured and killed for their faith. And remember them in your prayers.
www.persecution.com
www.prisoneralert.com
and for the kids
www.kidsofcourage.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Great Book
Here is a great book for any Christians out there.
"Deliver us From Evil" by Cindy Jacobs
We have had alot of critism for not allowing our family to participate in games/shows/toys... such as Harry Potter, Pokemon, Halloween, etc.... However, after seeing this book, I am so glad that God led us to avoid those things. Many of my Christian friends have no idea of the power and the spiritual, sometimes even wiccan influences of those things. Satan has gotten ahold of our children through seemingly harmless activities, and the consequences are plenty. I encourage all of you to read it. Satan is a lyer and a deceiver. He has been given an open door in the entertainment industry. He has taken ahold of it and deceived many to believe it is all innocent fun. Do not allow Satan an open door into your home, family, or church. He will use these "innocent fun" things to get ahold of your family and your children. A must read for all Christians.
"Deliver us From Evil" by Cindy Jacobs
We have had alot of critism for not allowing our family to participate in games/shows/toys... such as Harry Potter, Pokemon, Halloween, etc.... However, after seeing this book, I am so glad that God led us to avoid those things. Many of my Christian friends have no idea of the power and the spiritual, sometimes even wiccan influences of those things. Satan has gotten ahold of our children through seemingly harmless activities, and the consequences are plenty. I encourage all of you to read it. Satan is a lyer and a deceiver. He has been given an open door in the entertainment industry. He has taken ahold of it and deceived many to believe it is all innocent fun. Do not allow Satan an open door into your home, family, or church. He will use these "innocent fun" things to get ahold of your family and your children. A must read for all Christians.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Getting Old?
Apparently I am terribly old and out of shape. My family spent the day at our local amuzement park yesterday, and today I woke up so stiff and sore that I can barely move. Even my hands and wrists hurt from pushing the stroller all day. UGH. I guess if I get up off my tush and get moving more often I won't be so sore next time.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Moving On...
Cameron moved out today. I had hoped this day would come with J.'s and my full blessing, perhaps as Cameron moved on to college or maybe to an apartment of his own. But that is not the case. I shouldn't be surprised, though. He still has no job or lisence. He is not prepared to move out on his own. But he was ready to go. He has struggled often with our lifestyle, moral standards, and work ethic. He has a lot of wordly ways that he likes to live by that just don't fit in here. He doesn't like our discipline style or high expectations for behavior and attitude. He is also an adult and ready to get out of the house. I can understand that. I remember well the days when I, too, was stretching my wings, ready to get on with my life. In all honesty, he wasn't going to be able to stay here as is, anyway. We require that he be working, and preparing and saving for his future. I don't think he wanted to do that. Obviously if he valued work he would be working.
I wish the situation he is moving into was a little more ideal. He is moving in with a single dad from our church. I have my reservations about this move for several reasons. First of all, it was totally done in secret. That sends up a red flag of warning to me. Why the need for secrecy? We knew that he planned to move on after graduation. We thought he was planning to go to Tennessee to apprentice with my cousin. He talked about it often. But this was a total surprise and we were totally kept in the dark. I was also upset about the secrecy because Cameron involved Logan and Carmen, telling them that he was moving out but also telling them "not to tell mom and dad". That just plain makes me mad! It is wrong to put them in that situation.
I also am not sure it is such a good idea for him to live in this house with two teenage daughters. It just seems inappropriate and can invite problems of its own. My final reservation is that I have heard comments from other teenagers about wanting to move into this same house with this guy from church because of how "cool" he is. I am not sure what that means, but am concerned that it might mean that anything goes. I don't know him that well. I don't want to judge. I just want what is best for Cameron.
I have been reading "Power of a Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian. One of the first few chapters talks about releasing your children to God. So that is what I am doing with Cameron. He may not be my child, biologically, but he is my child in my heart. He has caused me great pain and frustration over the years but he has been one of my greatest joys. So, Father God, I release Cameron to you, today. I thank you for the opportunity and great privilege that you have given me to help raise him and guide him over the years. Thank you for trusting me to be his parent. I ask forgiveness for wasting so many years before I came to know you. I should have been teaching him about who you are. I ask that you restore those lost years. Use this situation to give Cameron a deeper and more real relationship with you. When J. was praying for Cameron last night he prayed that Cameron make good decisions because he can become a greater man for you if he doesn't have to go through a bunch of junk, but Lord, I know that you often use the junk we go through to make us even greater for your kingdom and closer to you. I just ask, Lord, that you protect Cameron no matter what he goes through, and use it to draw him to you. I ask that you restore and bless our communication and our relationship with Cameron and bless the years ahead as we watch Cameron grow into a man. Be with our family as we go through the sorrow of missing him and the adjustment and growth that comes with not being a part of his daily life. Help us to forgive him and help us to be a blessing to him as he moves on. Help him to develop maturity and pride in his work. Help him to see his worth through who he is in you. Help him to value the things that you value and to hate the things that you hate. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with Cameron. Amen...
I miss him already.....
I wish the situation he is moving into was a little more ideal. He is moving in with a single dad from our church. I have my reservations about this move for several reasons. First of all, it was totally done in secret. That sends up a red flag of warning to me. Why the need for secrecy? We knew that he planned to move on after graduation. We thought he was planning to go to Tennessee to apprentice with my cousin. He talked about it often. But this was a total surprise and we were totally kept in the dark. I was also upset about the secrecy because Cameron involved Logan and Carmen, telling them that he was moving out but also telling them "not to tell mom and dad". That just plain makes me mad! It is wrong to put them in that situation.
I also am not sure it is such a good idea for him to live in this house with two teenage daughters. It just seems inappropriate and can invite problems of its own. My final reservation is that I have heard comments from other teenagers about wanting to move into this same house with this guy from church because of how "cool" he is. I am not sure what that means, but am concerned that it might mean that anything goes. I don't know him that well. I don't want to judge. I just want what is best for Cameron.
I have been reading "Power of a Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian. One of the first few chapters talks about releasing your children to God. So that is what I am doing with Cameron. He may not be my child, biologically, but he is my child in my heart. He has caused me great pain and frustration over the years but he has been one of my greatest joys. So, Father God, I release Cameron to you, today. I thank you for the opportunity and great privilege that you have given me to help raise him and guide him over the years. Thank you for trusting me to be his parent. I ask forgiveness for wasting so many years before I came to know you. I should have been teaching him about who you are. I ask that you restore those lost years. Use this situation to give Cameron a deeper and more real relationship with you. When J. was praying for Cameron last night he prayed that Cameron make good decisions because he can become a greater man for you if he doesn't have to go through a bunch of junk, but Lord, I know that you often use the junk we go through to make us even greater for your kingdom and closer to you. I just ask, Lord, that you protect Cameron no matter what he goes through, and use it to draw him to you. I ask that you restore and bless our communication and our relationship with Cameron and bless the years ahead as we watch Cameron grow into a man. Be with our family as we go through the sorrow of missing him and the adjustment and growth that comes with not being a part of his daily life. Help us to forgive him and help us to be a blessing to him as he moves on. Help him to develop maturity and pride in his work. Help him to see his worth through who he is in you. Help him to value the things that you value and to hate the things that you hate. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with Cameron. Amen...
I miss him already.....
Friday, April 3, 2009
God's Work
Why do I always try to take over God's work? Why do I think I can do a better job than Him? Why do I think He isn't doing his job good enough or fast enough? Why can't I trust God?
I can truly see God's hand working in my husband's life and heart especially with his temper and, believe it or not (sarcasm, here), it has nothing to do with me or anything I did. It is truly the hand of God at work. Oh, I tried to get him to change. His temper was bad, it was often sinful and selfish, and it was scary. But it was never dangerous. It hurt me to see him damage his relationship with his kids because of his temper. I hated feeling so torn between my husband and my kids. I hated feeling like I had to protect my kids from a person who was supposed to be safe and kind to them in a world full of evil and pain. I wanted him to change and I wanted it NOW. I prayed and asked God to change him, but then I turned right around and tried to do it myself. I lectured, I nagged, I cried, I yelled, I left articles laying for him to read, I stepped in (sometimes it was necessary, but often is was not), I cried and yelled and nagged some more. I even made him promise to read a Biblical parenting book (which he never read). But all I really needed to do was to wait on God. He knows what He is doing and I keep forgetting that. Oh, how beautiful it is to see God's hand in my husband's life. How awesome to see his temper fizzle out like a candle in the rain.
Help me to trust you, Lord and to wait for your perfect timing. Help me to fight for my husband and children on my knees. Help me to remember that you have a perfect plan for my husband and that your hand is the only one that brings heart change and real healing. Help me to remember that when I am fighting to the death FOR my children, I cannot fight against my husband. I do not want to kill his spirit. Forgive me for not trusting you, Lord. Help my husband and I to hold each other accountable, to parent with love and grace, and to be one team, fighting toghter for our children and each other, on our knees. Make us a family of prayer, love, grace, and peace. Restore lost time and broken relationships. Make us new and whole. In Jesus' precious name. Amen
I can truly see God's hand working in my husband's life and heart especially with his temper and, believe it or not (sarcasm, here), it has nothing to do with me or anything I did. It is truly the hand of God at work. Oh, I tried to get him to change. His temper was bad, it was often sinful and selfish, and it was scary. But it was never dangerous. It hurt me to see him damage his relationship with his kids because of his temper. I hated feeling so torn between my husband and my kids. I hated feeling like I had to protect my kids from a person who was supposed to be safe and kind to them in a world full of evil and pain. I wanted him to change and I wanted it NOW. I prayed and asked God to change him, but then I turned right around and tried to do it myself. I lectured, I nagged, I cried, I yelled, I left articles laying for him to read, I stepped in (sometimes it was necessary, but often is was not), I cried and yelled and nagged some more. I even made him promise to read a Biblical parenting book (which he never read). But all I really needed to do was to wait on God. He knows what He is doing and I keep forgetting that. Oh, how beautiful it is to see God's hand in my husband's life. How awesome to see his temper fizzle out like a candle in the rain.
Help me to trust you, Lord and to wait for your perfect timing. Help me to fight for my husband and children on my knees. Help me to remember that you have a perfect plan for my husband and that your hand is the only one that brings heart change and real healing. Help me to remember that when I am fighting to the death FOR my children, I cannot fight against my husband. I do not want to kill his spirit. Forgive me for not trusting you, Lord. Help my husband and I to hold each other accountable, to parent with love and grace, and to be one team, fighting toghter for our children and each other, on our knees. Make us a family of prayer, love, grace, and peace. Restore lost time and broken relationships. Make us new and whole. In Jesus' precious name. Amen
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A Sigh of Relief
Well, I don't have breast cancer. Big sigh of relief. I had a CT scan done three months ago for abdominal pain. It showed a cyst on my ovary. I went for a follow up ultrasound of my ovary last week to see if it is better or worse but the ultrasound tech found a mass on my right breast from the CTscan three months ago. I had to wait a week to get an ultrasound of my breast to determine if it is cancerous, not cancerous, or needs a biopsy. It was a long week. I am not really a worrier so much as a realist. I spend a week preparing for every possible scenario.
I went in yesterday for an ultrasound of my breast. She had to do the ultrasound twice because the photos didn't come through the first time. Then the doc came in and wanted to have a look, so they did the ultrasound a third time. Doc said she wanted to do a mammogram to get a better look, but after waiting for 20 minutes for that, they determined I couldn't have on because I am nursing. I wasn't prepared to get the results right away. I thought I would have to wait a day or two, so it was a huge relief to hear the doc say they didn't see anything on my ultrasound (PRAISE GOD!!) and I could wait 6 months for the mammogram. That should give me time to wean. Doc said it could have been a cyst that disappeared. I know that God is all powerful. It could have been anything and He healed me. I didn't even realize how emotionally involved I was in this until I was driving home. My husband called and he didn't even remember that I was having the test or what for. I was slightly disappointed in him for not keeping up with my life. This was a BIG DEAL for me and potentially for him as well. I started crying because this is the second time I have had issues with possible breast cancer. The first time was 6 years ago when I found a lump and he was so scared he wouldn't even talk about it. Of course I didn't know he was scared at the time. I thought he was just being insensitive. So this is the second time I really needed him to be there for me through this and he wasn't. The first time due to fear. This time due to busyness or carelessness-not sure which. Either way, I forgive him and love him. God was there for me. And he was generous in his mercy and grace. Thank you Lord for your healing touch.
I went in yesterday for an ultrasound of my breast. She had to do the ultrasound twice because the photos didn't come through the first time. Then the doc came in and wanted to have a look, so they did the ultrasound a third time. Doc said she wanted to do a mammogram to get a better look, but after waiting for 20 minutes for that, they determined I couldn't have on because I am nursing. I wasn't prepared to get the results right away. I thought I would have to wait a day or two, so it was a huge relief to hear the doc say they didn't see anything on my ultrasound (PRAISE GOD!!) and I could wait 6 months for the mammogram. That should give me time to wean. Doc said it could have been a cyst that disappeared. I know that God is all powerful. It could have been anything and He healed me. I didn't even realize how emotionally involved I was in this until I was driving home. My husband called and he didn't even remember that I was having the test or what for. I was slightly disappointed in him for not keeping up with my life. This was a BIG DEAL for me and potentially for him as well. I started crying because this is the second time I have had issues with possible breast cancer. The first time was 6 years ago when I found a lump and he was so scared he wouldn't even talk about it. Of course I didn't know he was scared at the time. I thought he was just being insensitive. So this is the second time I really needed him to be there for me through this and he wasn't. The first time due to fear. This time due to busyness or carelessness-not sure which. Either way, I forgive him and love him. God was there for me. And he was generous in his mercy and grace. Thank you Lord for your healing touch.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
A Lie-Sermon Tidbit
Just a tidbit from a recent sermon that made me ponder...
The truth in the hands of Satan is a lie. Satan uses the truth to distort, destroy, tear down. God's truth is meant to build up, encourage, equip, set free.
God's truth is in love.
Wow, how many times has satan used the truth to try to tear me down and make me feel rotten about myself? He seeks to destroy relationships, families, and God's truths. He rubs our sins in our face and tells us we will never be good enough. He reveals our imperfections. He wants to divide and conquer. How awesome it is to know that the victory is already ours, through Christ. The voice of truth is the voice of love. I pray that God gives me ears to hear the voice of truth and discerment to know the difference.
The truth in the hands of Satan is a lie. Satan uses the truth to distort, destroy, tear down. God's truth is meant to build up, encourage, equip, set free.
God's truth is in love.
Wow, how many times has satan used the truth to try to tear me down and make me feel rotten about myself? He seeks to destroy relationships, families, and God's truths. He rubs our sins in our face and tells us we will never be good enough. He reveals our imperfections. He wants to divide and conquer. How awesome it is to know that the victory is already ours, through Christ. The voice of truth is the voice of love. I pray that God gives me ears to hear the voice of truth and discerment to know the difference.
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