inspirational thought for the day...

“When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garage so you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statement? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships will matter most then, shouldn't they matter most now?” - Max Lucado

blessed

*THIS IS AN OLD BLOG POST FROM MY FAMILY BLOG. GOD USED IT TO SPEAK TO ME, SO I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT WITH YOU*

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to
Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I have been really emotional lately and praising Jesus for the blessings in my life. I have so
many. It is so easy for me to forget how much good God has allowed in my life. I was at my girlfriend's cabin the other weekend for a girl's night. On the way home I was talking with one of the girls about money. We were complaining about how we never seem to have enough. She said that a few weeks ago she told her husband that she was "so tired of being poor!" His response to her made the hairs stand up on my arm. He said, "Honey, don't say that. We are not poor! We just do not have any money." WOW! She has no idea what an impression that made on me.


God used his comment to put things in perspective for me. Yes, gas prices have sky-rocketed. No, we do not eat out anymore. No, we do not live in a fancy home or drive fancy cars. But we DO have jobs. We DO live in a home and have a roof over our heads. We DO have a comfortable bed to sleep in at night. We do have a beautiful son. We DO have wonderful family and friends. We do have food in our cabinets and refrigerator. We are healthy.


Most importantly, we are loved and cherished by the CREATOR of the Universe! I challenge you to stop what you're doing right now, no matter where you are and whisper a thank you to God for all of your riches in Christ Jesus...


It is because of Him that we are not poor!

i love to hear him sing

Every time I get into the car with my son, I hear the same question. "Mommy, can you turn on my song?" He loves the song, "Stronger" by Mandesa. The boy has excellent taste! Of course, I turn on the Ipod and crank up the volume. If you are a parent, I do not have to tell you what it does to my heart to listen to JP sing, at the top of his lungs, in the back seat of my car.

"Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day." Psalm 96:1-2

I cannot remember the last time I sang to God in my car. Or anywhere else, for that matter. Our praise is music to His ears. If listening to JP sing brings my heart that much joy, imagine what our song does to the heart of God! Next time you're in your car, turn up your radio and use your commute as a time to worship.

Your Father loves to hear you sing!

a crown

Scott was in a golf tournament Sunday, so JP and I went to church without him. Rather than cook for just the two of us, I ran through the Burger King drive thru to get him a kid's meal. He has been asking for one for a while now, but I rarely go to Burger King.


The kid's meal comes with a small travel game and on the outside of the box is several activities. As if that's not enough fun (ha!), the lid turns into a crown for you to wear on your head. This may not increase your heart rate, but my son was about to bust! He immediately asked me to fit the crown to his head. In addition to his new accessory, he wore the biggest, brightest smile all the way home. It was priceless!

"On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords" Revelation 19:16

Once upon a time, God gave us His Crown wrapped in the earthly package of a baby boy. He taught us, loved us, died for us, and one day, He's coming back for us! Now, that's priceless! When was the last time we really got excited about this truth?


If this Crown doesn't increase your heart rate, you may want to check your pulse!

blank

I beg you to be patient with me! Lately when I sit down to write devotions, my mind goes completely blank! UGH! I am so frustrated...


Again, there are several pieces that I am working on, but they are not coming together quickly. Usually, that means God has something different he wants me to write about. So, I am waiting on him! Not the first time! And I'm sure it won't be the last.


While we are waiting on God to reveal something profound, I'll tell you about a book that I bought this weekend that I am super excited about! Maybe you've seen it. It's called, "The Story." Basically, it is the Bible in story book form! Max Lucado wrote it. Anytime I see Lucado's name attached to something, I pick it up. I have not read it yet, but I intend to begin tomorrow. I will be sure and let you know what I think of it.

a folded cloth

I had always heard that in Jesus' tomb the soldiers found a "neatly folded" cloth. I never knew the actual meaning of that until a few years ago.



CLICK HERE!




I just thought I would share...

fruit of the.....what??

When it's hot outside, I LOVE to eat fruit. Actually, I love to eat fruit ANYTIME! At any given time you are likely to find strawberries, bananas, blueberries or apples in my kitchen. My mouth waters just thinking about them!


Unfortunately, these are not the only types of fruit you'll find in my home. Below is a list of a few I have been known to carry around in my basket:

• Anger
• Bitterness
• Pride
• Slothfulness
• Gluttony
• Dishonesty

I don't know about you, but when I load up my basket with these fleshly fruits, it definitely weighs me down. I should not be surprised. God has given us a list of His preferred fruit in His word.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..." Galatians 5:22

In order for me to be spiritually healthy, I must replace what's in my basket with the fruit God intended for me to tote around! It's MUCH lighter!

What's in your basket?

stronger

"...'Cause if He started this work in your life

He will be faithful to complete it

If only you believe it

He knows how much it hurts

And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under

Hold on just a little bit longer

He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger

The pain ain't gonna last forever

In time it's gonna get better

Believe me, this is gonna make you stronger!"

("Stronger", by Mandisa)

This is one of my FAVORITE songs!!! And I'll tell you there is NOTHING IN THE WORLD sweeter than driving down the road and your five year old son singing every word from the back seat!!! Thank you, Lord, for giving me this child!

Here's the deal. I am NOT IN CONTROL of when God gives me a devotion to write. There are days when He shows me two, sometimes three, and then there are times when I have NOTHING! Today is one of those days. My juices are not flowing. So, I thought that on days like today when I do not have anything that I have written personally, I will share something that I have found from somewhere else. Maybe it's something that has spoken to me, or something that I read in a book.

How does that sound?

There are a few of you (hey mom!) who come here on a daily basis hoping to find your inspirational story for the day. So, I will do my best to deliver...it just may not be from my pen!

breathing treatment

"...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." Isaiah 40:31

My little one year old nephew has been sick for a few days. Thankfully he seems to finally be on the mend, but he has to be given a breathing treatment every four hours. Tonight, I went over to show my sister and family how to administer the treatment. I have to say, it is not pretty! It's a very simple process, but it was difficult to hold him still AND keep him happy while the mask was attached to his face. Not fun! And who could blame him? He is being held against his will in a position that he is not at all fond of for what seems, to him, like an eternity. I hated to do it, but I knew that it was in his best interest.

There have been times in my life when God has had to hold me still, against my will. My most recent experience was when I was waiting to bring JP home from Guatemala. There were days when I felt like I was suffocating under the mask of stress. I didn't understand why in the world God didn't allow me to be with my baby. I was kicking and screaming beneath His grip. I tried my best to squirm out from under Him, but it just wasn't time to move on.

Does this describe you? Is God holding you at a place in your life that is not comfortable? I feel your pain. The mask is blocking your view, and you are tired. It helps if you just close your eyes and relax in His arms. It may seem like you've been in that position for an eternity, but try and remember that if He has you there, it is in your best interest!

Lord, help me to be patient and rest while You're holding me!

the script

I promised that I would post a new devotion today. I have been sitting here staring at the blinking cursor for almost an hour. I have several that I have been working on for a week now. When I sit down to complete them, however, my mind goes blank. It is very frustrating, however, I know what the problem is.


I am the one trying to write them! By now, I should know better. I STINK as a writer! That probably sounds funny seeing as that's how I am trying to earn my living. But, it's true. It never fails, every time I sit down to write something, it doesn't flow and most of the time it's just not good. It's not until I clear out my heart and mind, and pray for God to use me as His vessel that a piece is worth reading. And I know that, so you would think I would stop trying!


We do that, as Christians, don't we? We attempt to write the story of our lives. And it's not our book! Each day I am learning more and more just how weak I am. When am I going to learn that I will NOT be productive until I sit back and allow the Author to take charge of the manuscript! It has taken me a VERY LONG and boring hour to finally realize what God is asking me to do.

"... for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

I need to remove my fingers from the keys.

ATTENTION!!

The strep bug has left the body of my five year old. He has been doing well for over a week now. Thank You, God!!! HOWEVER, it has entered my body! BOO!

My plan this weekend is to rest, rest and then rest more! I am thankful that we have a four day weekend. THERE WILL BE NO NEW DEVOTIONS TO READ UNTIL TUESDAY!

I will accept and appreciate your prayers! I'm miserable!

Have a great weekend!

enough is enough!

In 1 Kings chapter 19, Elijah is running for his life. Because of him, false prophets in Israel were being killed. Jezebel had a lot invested in the false prophets, so in this chapter, she is out to kill Elijah. He was afraid. He was tired. He had, had ENOUGH!

"...while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, Lord' He then fell asleep." (v.4-5)

Elijah was God's man. In this book, he did some MAJOR stuff for God. However, now he is tired, lonely and feeling very sorry for himself. In the following verses, the Lord speaks to Elijah and tells him to go and stand on top of the mountain in His Presence. A strong wind came. An earthquake came. A fire came down. Where was God? After the fire was gone, Elijah heard a soft whisper. It was God! He was in the whisper.

Are you tired? Frustrated? Beat down by your circumstances? I, personally, am at a point in my life where I am ready to scream, "I have had enough!" Maybe that's you too.

• Maybe you're tired of the Cancer.
• Maybe you're tired of the abuse.
• Maybe you're tired of being dependant on a drug.
• Maybe you're tired of taking care of people and never getting anything in return.
• Maybe you're tired of your relationship struggles.

The good news is, we do not have to hike to the top of a mountain to be in the Presence of God. We just simply have to look for Him and ask Him to show His face! He will.

"All at once an angel of the Lord touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.' Elijah looked around and there by his head was a cake of bread and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time and touched him, 'Get up and drink.' Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights.." (v. 5-8)

God gave Elijah the strength to make his journey. One day at a time. He'll do the same for us! Whatever journey you are on right now, find the top of your mountain and stand in God's Presence. Listen for Him. He may not speak to you in a very loud voice, but He'll speak...

in a whisper!

What are you soaking in?

The process my husband and I went through to bring our son home from Guatemala was a very difficult one. Looking back, the most painful moments were the ones that brought me the closest to God. However, when I was in the middle of it, I didn't always feel that way. A lot of the time I was bitter and angry. I wrote the following during one of those times...

CLICK HERE

the fire

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Your perfect love is casting out fear

And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life

I won't turn back, I know you are near

And I will fear no evil

For my God is with me

And if my God is with me

Whom then shall I fear? Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

A glorious light beyond all compare

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

We'll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

Still I will praise You, still I will praise You!"

Church was awesome this morning. Our pastor delivered a sermon about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel chapter 3. The main point in the message was that these three guys were NOT alone in the fire. God walked with them through it, and not only did they make it out, they made it out unharmed and smelling fresh! To look at them, you would never know they had been in a furnace.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the service, the message I took home with me was a very different one. It is true that, at some point in our lives, we will find ourselves in a furnace. But unlike Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, there are some who will not walk out of the fire. At least not on this side of Heaven.

• The parents of the child with special needs.
• The wife of the man who was permanently injured in Iraq.
• The man/woman who lives with a chronic, but not terminal illness.
• The grandparents who are raising their grandchild because the mother/father chose not to stick around.

These are only a few of the people who wake up each morning, suit up in hazard gear and walk out the bedroom door to face the intense heat of their day. God is definitely with them, but the furnace they were tossed in to is a permanent one.

Is your name on that list? If so, you are tired. Maybe you feel like you are one breath away from suffocating in the fumes. Do me a favor and don't remove your mask just yet. The lyrics above, "Yes, I can see a light, that is coming for the heart that holds on. And there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes..." Those are for you! Your time on earth is hard, but there is a GLORIOUS light awaiting you at the end of this tunnel.

" No longer will there be anything accursed, but the Throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads, and night will be no more. They will need no light of a lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever." Revelation 22:3-5

So, keep your suit on. Praise Him where you are and try to remember... the reward for your faithfulness will be well worth the flames you have had to endure!

I have several different devotional pieces that I am working on right now. However, I have to be honest with you... my mind is very boggled right now with my job/home/school etc. I am having a little trouble organizing my thoughts and putting them on paper.

If you would, please allow me a few days to clear my head. I will return with (hopefully) several completed devotionals for you to read! In the meantime, please enjoy my family blog!