Last night I was watching a show on TV. The man on the show worked with youth, particularly college and high school age. He shared an interesting thought...there are 2 main demonic spirits that attack us. Insecurity and Inferiority. He said you can see them running rampant in most of the world, but particularly with the younger crowds. He also said that the other spirits draw their energy from those 2 main ones.
I've been mulling this over all day. It certainly is conceivable to me that this could be true. The question is how to overcome it..........
Interestingly enough, after listening to this show I was reading my Bible. The verse that stood out to me was Jeremiah 29:13-14 " When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed" (The Message). Maybe it's time to get serious.........
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Praying for miracles
Anyone who knows me and my situation know that I have been praying for a particular miracle for over two years now. Sometimes I am sure it is coming right now. Other times I can't seem to muster any encouragement it is coming my way at all.
My friend Jennifer just posted a blog about a miracle she has been a part of. It totally renews my faith. Isn't it amazing that God can not only create a miracle for one person, but its effects rub off on other people?? It blows my mind that God is so huge that He can do it all!!!
Lord, thank you for making a difference in all our lives. And bless the one who needed the miracle to begin with.
My friend Jennifer just posted a blog about a miracle she has been a part of. It totally renews my faith. Isn't it amazing that God can not only create a miracle for one person, but its effects rub off on other people?? It blows my mind that God is so huge that He can do it all!!!
Lord, thank you for making a difference in all our lives. And bless the one who needed the miracle to begin with.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Swinging
As my son and I were outside today I got a picture of how God helps us....
We were swinging, my son on my lap. He held on to the ropes but I also held on to him. I envisioned this same scenario except it was me sitting on God's lap. I held on to the ropes so I felt like I had some control but also felt the safety of God's arms around me. When went high and low, fast and slow, straight and zig zag but He never let go of me. He never let me fall. Yes, my stomach felt queasy a few times when the swing went higher and higher but God just squeezed me tighter so I could feel His presence. When the ride was over, He set me down on the ground gently.
Thank you Lord for always holding me. And thank you for using something like a swing to make your presence known to me.
We were swinging, my son on my lap. He held on to the ropes but I also held on to him. I envisioned this same scenario except it was me sitting on God's lap. I held on to the ropes so I felt like I had some control but also felt the safety of God's arms around me. When went high and low, fast and slow, straight and zig zag but He never let go of me. He never let me fall. Yes, my stomach felt queasy a few times when the swing went higher and higher but God just squeezed me tighter so I could feel His presence. When the ride was over, He set me down on the ground gently.
Thank you Lord for always holding me. And thank you for using something like a swing to make your presence known to me.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Roller Coaster
Up and down. Up and down. Does anyone else's life seem like a roller coaster? Kind of ironic that I am terrified of that particular theme park ride....
I've just finished reading a book called "God Said Yes" by Heather Hornback-Bland. It's a story of a woman who has had well over 100 surgeries, divorced, miscarried... seems like if it was something bad, it has happened to her. As rough as her life was, she found strength in God. It's really an amazing story. And it's given me some fresh perspective on this roller coaster ride.
One of the points in her book was that we can tell God what we really think. We can be mad at Him. We can say we hate Him. We can scream and cry and moan to Him. He can take whatever we dish out. It's no surprise to Him. His shoulders are big enough to carry the load.
She also says that God doesn't owe us anything. At one point she thought she was being rewarded for her pain but the "reward" was then taken away. She couldn't understand it. But she came to learn that God gives gifts. He gives them freely, not as part of a reward system.
I knew these things already...really, I did. It was a bit strange to see them spelled out on the page I was reading. It was like the light bulb came on over my head (like you see in cartoons) but at the same time I was slapping myself in the forehead because I already knew it! God spoke to me in so many ways in this book. Please read it for yourself if you get the chance.
One thing I do know for sure...the ups and downs don't end. Sometimes I'm prepared for them and sometimes they sneak up on me. But I am learning to lean on the one who is always prepared. He is always there, knowing what will happen before it happens to me. He comforts, He loves, He provides. And I am forever grateful.
I've just finished reading a book called "God Said Yes" by Heather Hornback-Bland. It's a story of a woman who has had well over 100 surgeries, divorced, miscarried... seems like if it was something bad, it has happened to her. As rough as her life was, she found strength in God. It's really an amazing story. And it's given me some fresh perspective on this roller coaster ride.
One of the points in her book was that we can tell God what we really think. We can be mad at Him. We can say we hate Him. We can scream and cry and moan to Him. He can take whatever we dish out. It's no surprise to Him. His shoulders are big enough to carry the load.
She also says that God doesn't owe us anything. At one point she thought she was being rewarded for her pain but the "reward" was then taken away. She couldn't understand it. But she came to learn that God gives gifts. He gives them freely, not as part of a reward system.
I knew these things already...really, I did. It was a bit strange to see them spelled out on the page I was reading. It was like the light bulb came on over my head (like you see in cartoons) but at the same time I was slapping myself in the forehead because I already knew it! God spoke to me in so many ways in this book. Please read it for yourself if you get the chance.
One thing I do know for sure...the ups and downs don't end. Sometimes I'm prepared for them and sometimes they sneak up on me. But I am learning to lean on the one who is always prepared. He is always there, knowing what will happen before it happens to me. He comforts, He loves, He provides. And I am forever grateful.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Great Day
I seem to post often about the tough times so today I thought I'd be sure to share my thoughts about yesterday......it was an absolutely great day!
My son was especially loving toward me. I got lots of squeezes and kisses. He answered "yes ma'am" several times. He cleaned up his toys. He followed directions without being asked a million times.
We baked cookies. We played outside. We read books. We had fun. It was a great day!
It was pure joy just to spend time with him. I thought about how it must make God feel when we spend time with Him. When we just bask in our time with Him. I am so thankful that God provides those times with Him and our earthly families as well. They mean so much to me!
My son was especially loving toward me. I got lots of squeezes and kisses. He answered "yes ma'am" several times. He cleaned up his toys. He followed directions without being asked a million times.
We baked cookies. We played outside. We read books. We had fun. It was a great day!
It was pure joy just to spend time with him. I thought about how it must make God feel when we spend time with Him. When we just bask in our time with Him. I am so thankful that God provides those times with Him and our earthly families as well. They mean so much to me!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Poem
I don't know the author of this poem, but it speaks volumes to me. Thanks to my friend, Ms. P, for sending it my way years ago..........
I asked God to take away my pain. God said no. It is not for me to take away but for you to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said no. His spirit it whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. God said no. Patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it's earned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said no. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me suffering. God said no. Suffering draws you away from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said no. You must grow on your own but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said no. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me. God said.....Ahhh, finally you have the idea.
I asked God to take away my pain. God said no. It is not for me to take away but for you to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said no. His spirit it whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. God said no. Patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it's earned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said no. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me suffering. God said no. Suffering draws you away from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said no. You must grow on your own but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said no. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me. God said.....Ahhh, finally you have the idea.
Rain, Rain
Well the weatherman said it would rain today. In our area, he was pretty close to the estimated arrival time. The bottom seemed to drop out of the sky at 1:30 (weather guys predicted 2:00). Of course I was knee deep in errands and grocery shopping. Transferring bags from the cart to the car...soaking wet. I mean so wet that not only were my clothes and shoes wet but even the undies were soaked!!!
On the drive home, it was a torrential downpour. I passed several accidents. The traffic on the highway was creeping down the road. I silently prayed as we drove. I asked God to let us get home safely. I prayed for each person I could think of as we drove through that storm.
We got home just fine. Soaked but fine. After I had changed my clothes and was once again dry, my dad came inside after working in his shop out back. He wasn't wet although he had to walk through the yard to come into the house. When I asked how it was that he was dry, he winked and said he "had connections!" We laughed because I was telling him that I just prayed to stay safe, I never thought about asking to stay dry!
The moment was light hearted and funny to all of us. I didn't really mind getting wet. And we did make it home safely to a house that thankfully hasn't been flooded like so many others. But it did strike a cord with me...how many times do I just forget to ask?
I know that being safe was more important to me than staying dry today so I am grateful my prayer was answered. But I am reminded of the scripture that says 'you have not because you ask not'. Lord, help me to keep a right perspective and not become greedy in my requests, but also help me to remember to turn to you in everything. I know if something is on my mind, You are interested in it too.
On the drive home, it was a torrential downpour. I passed several accidents. The traffic on the highway was creeping down the road. I silently prayed as we drove. I asked God to let us get home safely. I prayed for each person I could think of as we drove through that storm.
We got home just fine. Soaked but fine. After I had changed my clothes and was once again dry, my dad came inside after working in his shop out back. He wasn't wet although he had to walk through the yard to come into the house. When I asked how it was that he was dry, he winked and said he "had connections!" We laughed because I was telling him that I just prayed to stay safe, I never thought about asking to stay dry!
The moment was light hearted and funny to all of us. I didn't really mind getting wet. And we did make it home safely to a house that thankfully hasn't been flooded like so many others. But it did strike a cord with me...how many times do I just forget to ask?
I know that being safe was more important to me than staying dry today so I am grateful my prayer was answered. But I am reminded of the scripture that says 'you have not because you ask not'. Lord, help me to keep a right perspective and not become greedy in my requests, but also help me to remember to turn to you in everything. I know if something is on my mind, You are interested in it too.
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