"Don't ask me another question, don't tell me who did something wrong, just go play out back, I NEED some quiet!" Those were my words to my kids a few minutes ago. I have been so overwhelmed lately and today just seemed to top it off. Not sure how to pinpoint what it is exactly. I'm still wrestling with food allergies. My eyesight is getting SO bad, doing any reading is becoming quite a challenge. And I'm always tired. Homeschooling 5 children is hard. Some days I don't want to do it, I would rather place what has been given to me (my kids) into someone else's care (school) so I can "do my thing".
I sat down with my bad mood, Bible, and Josh Garrels playing in the background (go download his cd it's free and just AWESOME!!!)
I started reading and came across something I had written in my Bible. It was a quote from Jason Upton, "Don't you know. You're a word from heaven." Wow. Thank you, Lord, for grounding me fast. This life is not about me. I have a specific purpose that only I can fulfill. I cannot give in to my flesh or give up. Yes, I need quiet but not so I can escape everything, I need quiet so I can be filled with "wisdom that passes all understanding" and continue this journey with perserverance.
I was left with this phrase-
Don't listen to what the world and others are telling you, do what you know is right for you and your family. Do all you can to fulfill your purpose, you don't have to be like everyone else.
"At the end of my life I want it said of me, 'She endured as seeing Him who is invisible' (Heb 11:27b)" Misty Edwards
Showing posts with label quotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quotes. Show all posts
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Ministry Update
I haven't updated on ministry in a long time due to us not knowing what was going on or what we were doing. Our church, New Hope, recently went through some major changes and we were very serious about leaving and finding a new church but felt the Lord telling us to press through the difficult and uncertain times. Our pastor has stepped down for a season (he may or may not return) and the elder is filling in until a final decision is made on what to do, which should be made by the end of this month.
We haven't been doing the college ministry for a few months now. Ministry, work and family life were too much so we needed a little time to rest and focus on what is important to us, being family. Now that we have had time to rest and wait on the Lord, we see there might be an opportunity to finally start some form of prayer ministry. Please be praying that the Lord's will would be done and that all obstacles would be removed. Our hearts desire has been to start a prayer ministry, that is why we went to IHOP and did the training program in 2007. Since the training program life has been challenging and we've hit so many road blocks, which has been quite discouraging but we are finally starting to see a glimmer of hope in starting something at our church. That glimmer of hope is a huge praise because when we first moved down to the Austin area our church was NOT for a prayer ministry. It's hard to go so many years with no one really supporting what's on your heart...
Thanks for praying! We appreciate it!
There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying. --John G. Lake
Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God. --Andrew Murray
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?-- Corrie Ten Boom
Is the Son of God praying in me, or am I dictating to Him?....Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He will press forward in front of our common sense and change our attitude to the things about which we pray. --Oswald Chambers
Do you know what prayer is? It is not begging God for this and that. The first thing we have to do is to get you beggars to quit begging until a little faith moves in your souls. --John G. Lake
If God will do whatever He wishes, regardless of whether we pray or not, then we do not need to pray at all, and the Lord's instructions on praying for the Kingdom and the Will are superfluous. But the truth is that God waits for a Remnant to rise up and to pray in agreement with His Purpose before He does anything - He will do nothing apart from the Church. Apart from HIM, we CAN do nothing; apart from US, He WILL do nothing –Chip Brogden
We haven't been doing the college ministry for a few months now. Ministry, work and family life were too much so we needed a little time to rest and focus on what is important to us, being family. Now that we have had time to rest and wait on the Lord, we see there might be an opportunity to finally start some form of prayer ministry. Please be praying that the Lord's will would be done and that all obstacles would be removed. Our hearts desire has been to start a prayer ministry, that is why we went to IHOP and did the training program in 2007. Since the training program life has been challenging and we've hit so many road blocks, which has been quite discouraging but we are finally starting to see a glimmer of hope in starting something at our church. That glimmer of hope is a huge praise because when we first moved down to the Austin area our church was NOT for a prayer ministry. It's hard to go so many years with no one really supporting what's on your heart...
Thanks for praying! We appreciate it!
There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying. --John G. Lake
Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God. --Andrew Murray
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?-- Corrie Ten Boom
Is the Son of God praying in me, or am I dictating to Him?....Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He will press forward in front of our common sense and change our attitude to the things about which we pray. --Oswald Chambers
Do you know what prayer is? It is not begging God for this and that. The first thing we have to do is to get you beggars to quit begging until a little faith moves in your souls. --John G. Lake
If God will do whatever He wishes, regardless of whether we pray or not, then we do not need to pray at all, and the Lord's instructions on praying for the Kingdom and the Will are superfluous. But the truth is that God waits for a Remnant to rise up and to pray in agreement with His Purpose before He does anything - He will do nothing apart from the Church. Apart from HIM, we CAN do nothing; apart from US, He WILL do nothing –Chip Brogden
Friday, May 7, 2010
affection
"The Lord's not seeking perfection, He's longing for affection", a quote from a leader at IHOP-KC in '07. I was reminded of it today while taking Bobby to work. I do feel like we are on the tip of something new. I'm very excited! The Lord is good and worthy to be praised, whether high up on the mountain or low down in the valley I will give Him praise!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday thoughts
After 3 trips to lay J back in bed early this morning, I'm tired and he's asleep. Not the best way to start a Monday... So, I checked my email which lead me to facebook. Maybe I should change the option not to email me with notifications anymore. Often times facebook make me sad because of all the hypocrisy ( 1-a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not possess 2- a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude) .
Where are the true believers who are striving to live wholly for the Lord? Where are the believers who are daily crucifying the flesh, who are satisfied with what they have and are saying no to the bigger and better things?
What and who are you living for?
"I have one life to live and all I have to give to YOU is love" Misty Edwards
"I was made to love You and be loved by You" Misty Edwards
Where are the true believers who are striving to live wholly for the Lord? Where are the believers who are daily crucifying the flesh, who are satisfied with what they have and are saying no to the bigger and better things?
What and who are you living for?
"I have one life to live and all I have to give to YOU is love" Misty Edwards
"I was made to love You and be loved by You" Misty Edwards
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Prayer - Learning from Luther
I found this model for prayer useful and thought I'd share it with you.
From "Minister's Prayer Book" Doberstein
1) Pray for the presence of God
2) Scripture - (What is it saying? Try to repeat the substance in your own words. What are the parallel passages? The Scriptures are their interpreter. What is the main point? Search for the inner aim of the passage.)
3) Self-Examination - What is there here that incites thanksgiving? What is the "gospel" of the passage? What sin must I confess? REgard the pangs of bad conscience stirred by the Word of God. What must I do, therefore, in my life and ministry? Be ye doers of the Word, not hearers only.)
4) Prayer on the basis of the insights gained.
5) Intersessions.
Try it during your prayer times.
From "Minister's Prayer Book" Doberstein
1) Pray for the presence of God
2) Scripture - (What is it saying? Try to repeat the substance in your own words. What are the parallel passages? The Scriptures are their interpreter. What is the main point? Search for the inner aim of the passage.)
3) Self-Examination - What is there here that incites thanksgiving? What is the "gospel" of the passage? What sin must I confess? REgard the pangs of bad conscience stirred by the Word of God. What must I do, therefore, in my life and ministry? Be ye doers of the Word, not hearers only.)
4) Prayer on the basis of the insights gained.
5) Intersessions.
Try it during your prayer times.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Gratitude
I've been thinking a lot about gratitude. Recent events have made me think about my attitude.
Awhile back a friend here in Austin asked for some baby clothes. I willingly gave her some clothes thinking there was a tangible need only to find out a few months later she was selling them on craigslist. I don't want to have an offended heart. This situation has made me think about my attitude though. Am I really grateful for the gifts people give? Or am I too selfish about My preferences or My style? Do I have a complaining spirit?
The world says "Have it YOUR way!"
The Word says:
"Do all things without complaining and disputing." Philippians 2:14
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 2Thes 5:18
"Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts with drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1Tim 6:6-10
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." 1 Cor 13:5
It's our choice.
Awhile back a friend here in Austin asked for some baby clothes. I willingly gave her some clothes thinking there was a tangible need only to find out a few months later she was selling them on craigslist. I don't want to have an offended heart. This situation has made me think about my attitude though. Am I really grateful for the gifts people give? Or am I too selfish about My preferences or My style? Do I have a complaining spirit?
The world says "Have it YOUR way!"
The Word says:
"Do all things without complaining and disputing." Philippians 2:14
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 2Thes 5:18
"Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts with drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1Tim 6:6-10
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." 1 Cor 13:5
It's our choice.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
silver
Some of you may have heard this story before. Thought it might be encouraging to you.
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ' He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of thefire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, ' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ' He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of thefire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, ' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
vanity
vanity - "the futile emptiness of trying to be happy apart from God"
Skeptism and despair melt away when life is viewed as a daily gift from God.
(from the intro. to Ecclestiastes)
"Let us lay aside every weight and and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" Hebrews 12:1b
Only God can quench the longing of our hearts.
Skeptism and despair melt away when life is viewed as a daily gift from God.
(from the intro. to Ecclestiastes)
"Let us lay aside every weight and and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" Hebrews 12:1b
Only God can quench the longing of our hearts.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Meditation Verse
HEBREWS 4:10
"For he who has entered His [God's] rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His"
"For he who has entered His [God's] rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His"
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