Prayers for Boston

I am deeply saddened tonight as I sit on my couch taking in the news of the bombings today at the Boston Marathon.

Why? I just can't wrap my head around why? Innocent people died today and no one knows why. I'm torn between anger and grief with every new bit of information we receive.

I want to help. I want to reach out. I want to fix it....sigh....
I will spend the rest of my waking hours this evening in prayer. Prayer for everyone affected. Everyone involved. Everyone in our great country.

God be with us and hold us tight as we heal from yet another horrible wound.

Hold your loved ones close tonight and be blessed.

*Psalm 7:9     God, you do what is right. You know our thoughts and feelings. Stop those wicked actions done by evil people, and help those who do what is right. (NCV)*

Lisa

Life changes

It's been a while since I've posted. Too long. However,  I'm still here thinking of you guys and something to write.

I've been unable to work since February and it's looking like a month or two more until I go back. Hopefully. In the mean time I've kept myself busy with lots of Bible study and reading. I've had this incredible urge to "help" people. I don't know who or where to start.  I have these elaborate dreams of traveling to a foreign land and feeding the hungry in Africa or raising schools or churches in Honduras or clothing people in Cambodia. In reality, I may never get to experience something to wonderful. So I have begun to think locally. What is our biggest need in my small town? How do I even find that out? I know what I see and where my heart is pulled but where to start....

I know the best place for me to start is with prayer. So that is what I'll do. And if you would be so kind as to add me to your prayer lists. God is working in my life again and I want to be certain I follow in the right direction.

I pray you all have a blessed week and stay strong in Christ!

Much Love,
Lisa

Changes

     It has been entirely too long since I have posted. SO many things have happened and changed. I have let life get in the way and have been trying desperately not to slip into busyness...then the Christmas Season slammed in on me and things just got out of hand. No major catastrophes or disasters....just life.

     I let my quiet time slip away and it shows. I can see the differences in my life when I'm not actively pursuing a daily conversation with God. I suppose that could be my New Year resolution, but I don't like doing that. I think it puts too much pressure on you. Too much fear of failure.

     Changes occur so rapidly, sometimes with out you even knowing it. My daughters are almost grown, my son is no longer a 'little' boy...I am no longer who I once was. Yet through all these changes my family and I have remained close. I believe we have become closer. My husband and I seem to have melded into a single life form...both pretty much on the same page, schedule, sleeping pattern, menu....we've become rather boring! :)

    Life is good...despite the changes. However, it is time to shake things up a bit. I will be pulling out the Bible tonight. I will be revamping our lifestyle. Time to shake off the doldrums of habit and bring in the New Year with a new way of thinking.

    I pray that you all don't let life get in the way. Keep God in your daily way of doing things. He has a way of making sure you never get bored if you let him. Make Godly living your "habit".

Thankfulness, blessings, and enemies

 

" Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. " Psalm 107:1

I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by. The holidays are upon us and I cannot help but think of all the things I have to be thankful for.

First and foremost I am incredibly thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ was sent to us as a savior.  So thankful that he loved me enough to sacrifice himself on the cross so that I may be saved. I certainly don't deserve it. I have let him down on more than one occasion but he loves me anyway.

I cannot thank him enough for all the many things he has blessed me with. I may not have a big house or a nice car but I have them. I have a job. I have a wonderful husband and happy, healthy children. I don't see myself as any better than anyone else. I do not have money or the finer things but I am certainly blessed  and consider myself a very "rich" woman. 

It took me a long time to get here. I was stubborn and hard headed. I didn't want to reach out to God for the help he was offering me. I am so very glad that I finally did. 

I would give anything if I could reach out to certain people and make them understand that life doesn't have to be that way. That you can be blessed beyond measure.Unfortunately I can only do my best to be an example and let Christ's love shine through me.  I am just thankful that he has given me a heart to even want to help these certain people. 

I recently took it upon myself to help a person in need. Up until this point if you had asked her she probably would've told you she hated me - immensely. Although, I still to this day can only speculate as to why. 

Anyway, after I did some things for her I get the feeling that her heart may be softened. Although I can't be sure. I have noticed some subtle changes and I find myself some days wanting to reach out to her and tell her all the reasons why I understand what she's going though. What she has already had to endure. I want to tell her how much better her life will be if she will just simply say "help me Jesus". 

I am thankful for this experience. It has taught me that it isn't that hard to love your enemies. That even if you never get the chance to witness to them personally, your loving & thoughtful actions are ordained by Christ and he is accomplishing something wonderful. 

So be thankful. Thankful for all of your blessing, all of your trails, all of your accomplishments and yes, even thankful for your enemies. Oddly enough, they are blessings too. Some of the best ones you'll ever have.

Thank you our gracious Heavenly Father for loving us and caring for us. Thank you for our blessings and the people that you place in our path. I pray that we may have the wisdom and the courage to follow your teachings and become blessings to others. I pray that as the holiday season quickly approaches we each find something every day to say thank you for. In your Holy Name, Amen.

Be blessed everyone! Enjoy the weekend!

Faith

Mark 5: 34 " and he said unto her,  Daughter your faith has made you whole. Go in peace and be healed from your disease."

If you've never read the story of the Woman with the issue of blood, you should. My Pastor spoke on it last night during evening services and it really touched my heart. 

This woman had been suffering with her disease for 12 years with no cure. 12 years...can you imagine? I am pretty sure I'd be at my wit's end having suffered for so long.

The amazing thing about her is she had so much faith in the healing power of Christ that she just knew all she had to do was touch his garment. If she could just get close enough to brush his sleeve she would be healed.

I wonder what it is like to have that kind of faith? I honestly am not sure if I have ever been that certain in my whole life. 

Oh I have faith, but to be able to have that kind of blind faith...to be able to just let go and trust in the power and might of our Holy Father.....it's a humbling thought. It's a place I strive to be. 

How about you? Do you have that kind of faith. Can you go about your daily life sure that you have a Redeemer who never leaves your side?

Read Mark 5:24-34 in your quiet time. 

I pray that it encourages you like it has me and your faith becomes stronger.

He's got this

" Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5

This has always been a tough one for me. It is human nature to want to take care of things yourself but sometimes there is nothing you can do. Sometimes you have to put all of your trust in the Lord. 

You may be struggling with something right now that you just can't figure out. This is the time to trust in the Lord. Pray about it. Let him have it. You don't have to tell me that it isn't easy. I know full well how hard it is to turn over your struggles. 

This is where your faith is tested. 

This is where you question your foundations and strength. 

Go on, let it go. 

You can do it. 

You'll be glad that you did.

 There is no amount of worry or discussion that will change it. God will have his way. 

If you aren't getting the answers you want or no answers at all, maybe you're supposed to be learning patience. Or maybe he's teaching you to be strong during your trials in order to bring out into a much better place. 

Just know that God has got this! He's going to take care of you. He will bring you through whatever it is he has brought you to. 

I am so thankful today to have faith in our God, who's understanding is much more superior to mine. Thankful to know that He is always watching, always guiding and always loving me. 

I pray today that you will find comfort in trusting the Lord.

May you be blessed and comforted.

Giving

Exodus 22:22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.

I've learned that when you ask God to "tell you what he wants you to do" He usually does. For me it's almost always something I don't expect.

I've mentioned my relationship with my husbands ex wife. It is what I'd call...um...tense. I've also mentioned her boyfriend just passed leaving her to raise their son alone.

Well guess what...God wants me to help her...Of course he does.

Only this time without thinking it over or trying to rationalize why I shouldn't I simply made the call.

My pastor and I are currently organizing donations to help her out. I feel good about this. I honestly feel for her and hope that what we are doing will provide her some relief.

Could I ask for prayers for this?  I think not only does she really need them but so do I.

Thank you!
Lisa