my pride and joy/showers of blessings

Isn't she adorable? This is my beautiful neice Madelyn from Feb '08. I have to say that I've had a pretty rough past few months.But,one look at this face and I feel all better. I've got to post a video sometime so you can see just how bubbly and spunky she is :) I swear you'd think she's mine as she has my personality and looks more like me than her own parents.She reminds me of all the blessings I have in my life.That's why I call her my pride and joy.Anytime I feel a little down somehow I manage to think of her or call and she answers the phone.I actually talked to her tonight on the phone.It's so fun to be able to have a little conversation with her on the phone and she actually recognizes my voice too.She truly knows it's me :)
I guess I just felt lead to share this as I'm beginning to learn that everyone has some struggles or has some worries.It's a kindness of God that we have anything good in this life.During these past few months,i've really come to learn just what is important in life and what are needs and what are greeds.I'm learning that I really can live with alot less than I ever thought I could.Also many times the things that bring you the most joy are little things in life that can't be bought or made !!!!

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:10-12

What's your plan B?

I was watching a video from a church in Nashville.The pastor was talking about their series on Plan B.He said Plan B is what you're dealt that wasn't in your plans.
It's when life throws you a curve ball. I can say I feel like this right now.He made a point by saying that we should always keep our faith in these times.He profiled a couple that had a baby die after 2 hours of birth. They had known she wouldn't live long outside the womb if she lived at all.The wife of this couple made 2 points that really struck home with me.She first said that God can take any and all of the emotions and thoughts we have during this time.He WANTS us to continue to come to Him during these times.She also said that our Plan B was NEVER God's PLAN B.It was His Plan A all along.He ordained that moment or that situation.He KNOWS all about it :) That's gotta be encouraging to us as christians !!!

A recurring theme for me lately : )

can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Is the Lord God Almighty

Bring the Rain !!!

I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with You"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with You"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

From my friend !

***** I stole this blog from a friend of mine.She expresses some BEAUTIFUL thoughts
about prayer that were so good I just HAD to share :) **************************


Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Prayer - An Offensive Weapon

I worked on preparing a lesson one night. A few years ago each member of our SaLT group was assigned to do a lesson one of the parts of the Armor of God. I said "I want an offensive weapon!" (they asked, "why, because you are offensive?" LOL) and I asked to do a lesson on prayer. I found some interesting stuff about prayer and also went back to some old studies I have done to gather my info. I wanted to show prayer as a weapon in spiritual warfare and also the power that is in prayer. I don't want to mess around with little handguns...I want to show the big weapons! I want to reveal the atomic bomb of prayer!

After demonstrating how prayer is an effective weapon, I wanted to look at the best example of a prayer, Jesus Christ.

I decided to look at the ways and whens of Jesus' prayers and the results of those prayers. This is a summary of what I learned.

Refueling and Gaining Strength: Jesus often retreated to the mountain side or the garden to pray alone after teaching and healing. He did this to "refuel" and to learn God's Will for his next move. (Mark 1: 5, Luke 5:15)

Avoiding Temptation: Jesus taught about prayer (obviously) and made sure it was understood that prayer was the way to avoid temptation. (Matthew 26:41, Luke 22:40)

Decision Making: In Luke 6:12 after praying Jesus came down from the mountain and chose His disciples. That was a pretty important step in his ministry! They would be the ones to carry on His teaching.

Opening Connections: In Luke 9:28 after praying he was transfigured before the disciples there with him. His face glowed and clothes became bright. That's a pretty powerful prayer and open connection to the Father!

Opening Heaven: In Luke 3:21 we learn of Jesus' baptism and when Jesus prayed, "the heaven's opened" and the dove descended to Him. What I find interesting as well is that in Acts 7:54 Stephen prayed as he was about to be stoned to death. When Stephen prayed he saw the "heavens open". Eventually his spirit went to be with the Lord.

Prayer causes the heavens to open!

Heaven opened to allow the Spirit to descend on me when I prayed to receive Christ. At my death, the heavens will again open to receive the Spirit back. cool.

If prayer opens the heavens, OPENS THE HEAVENS, why don't we pray more often? Prayer is very powerful! Heaven opening is a direct connection to God, the Creator of heaven and earth...HE OPENS HIMSELF UP WHEN WE PRAY TO HIM! That is pretty awesome! Prayer moves mountains, opens the heavens...THAT IS MORE POWERFUL THAN AN ATOMIC BOMB AND IT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL CHRISTIANS, who are called to pray, and PRAY EMPOWERING PRAYERS!

PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are.......................................

-wondering if anyone cares for you
-feeling guilty
-going through a divorce
-praying for a rebellious child
-addicted to drugs
-wondering if God exists
-feeling all alone
-a victim of abuse
-envious of everyone and everything
-tempted to eat for comfort
-feeling hopeless
-physically tired
-emotionally drained
-worried about money
-grieving the loss of a child
-tempted to be prideful
-seeking answers to life's questions
-wondering what God is all about
-needing some "redemption"

then this video is for you :)









Isaiah 44:22
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."