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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Renewing of Our Strength

These past few months have been a challenge for many. Our family has experienced loss, illness and grown weary from the "trials" that life brings. I read this passage this morning and wanted to post it to give hope to others who are weary from "life."  God never grows weary or faint ... He is everlasting.

Isaiah 40:28-31

The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He never grows faint or weary;
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might He increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Outgrowing

So, dear sweet Sam is outgrowing all of his clothes. Every pair of pants is up to his ankles and he won't wear anything with holes ... he's very fashion conscious apparently. His Dad and I ended up at Old Navy trying to find some new jeans for the boy. We keep telling him that eating healthy will make him grow! I keep pushing the fruits and veggies.

We have been talking about growth in church. A steady diet of "good food" (scripture) will make us grow and mature in our walk with Christ. So, as hard as it is, keep up the daily scripture reading any way you can. Technology makes it easier than ever to stay in the Word. I personally do it via cell phone now ... because I can and because I can do it at any time during the day! Sometimes I need it more than others.

I subscribe to "Our Daily Bread" and receive it every day in my email. Anytime I have a free moment, I can pull up my daily devotional and take time out to read the scripture that goes with it on http://www.bible.com/.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

It's 3/16!

It's March 16 (3/16)!

That makes it John 3:16 day ... a great "door-opener" to share your faith with someone else.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

"Cry Out to Jesus ..."

I heard some heartbreaking statistics on the radio this morning. 70% of the people in Japan have no religious affiliation. Of the 30% who do, only 2% of those profess Jesus as their savior.

When you stop and think that on a "normal" day in Japan, their public transportation system "moves" 10 million people per day ... the scores of people who do not know the Lord in that country -- mind-blowing.

This is a time for revival in our country and theirs. I can't imagine living one day without Jesus in my life. My struggles seem small in comparison, but I get through them with obedience and humility at the feet of Jesus.

Please pray for Japan ... that people find peace in the One who brings comfort and healing during this time of trial and loss.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Blessings

Laura Story - "Blessings" Lyrics

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
But long that we'd have the faith to believe

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Between the lines!!!

Last week, I had the "honor" of taking my 15-year old stepson, Joe, to get his learner's permit. I sat with the 4-year old and waited patiently at the DMV for him to complete the test. At one point during the test, Joe put his head down on the table. I was thinking to myself, "Uh oh ... not good."  Moments later, he looked at me as if to tell me that he wasn't going to pass.

He did pass the test. I was so proud of him and I treasured the moment that I was so privileged to share with him.

A few miles from home on a county highway, I pulled over at an intersection and Joe looked at me. I told him it was his turn to drive. He sat and blinked at me for a few minutes, and then hurriedly ran around the car and jumped in the driver's seat. He nervously fastened his seat belt, as I intructed him to check his mirrors. After doing so, he determined he was ready. With pride, I let him drive "a distance" for the first time.

As with every new driver, he spent a lot of time "hugging" the shoulder of the highway, especially as cars approached from the other direction. I assured him there was plenty of room between the lines and advised him to looked straight ahead not right in front of the car. I kept "waving" my hand from side to side to "edge" him over back onto the road.

I think that might be how God spends His time ... "waving" us back onto the path He's made for us. He keeps us looking up, out and away to Him ... focused on what He has in store for us. I picture Him smiling contentedly at our obedience and each treasured moment He gets to share with us.