Sin Interferes with Progress

Doesn’t sin have a consequence that wears heavily on us?!  We lose opportunities to grow, be blessed, and help others.  Instead we place huge obstacles in front of us that cause us and others only to struggle, as well as hurt God again and again.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a blog and this is what God has put on my heart this morning.  I am here because I continue to “lose track” of time.  Here, God has created a world for His children – for us to care for, replenish and fill, and share His truth to those who’ve not yet heard – and I don’t take hold of the authority He’s given me in Christ Jesus over my life.  I allow myself to hold onto temporary emotions that harbor only resentment, bitterness, and in some cases a deep rage that comes out on unsuspecting and innocent bystanders.

I have forgotten that I am stronger than temptation… I’ve been saying for so long that I “can”  and yet I don’t.  I have heard this said from smokers, drunkards, and the like – I “can” stop, I just “choose” not to.  I have found I use this EXACT phrase that has annoyed me to no end in the past.  Ugh.

Here I am to share with you because the struggles shared by others helps me and so I hope this helps you.  How have I allowed myself to neglect the very things that are important.  I haven’t done my devotions or my journaling in a long time.  When I have gotten into the Word, I’ve not allowed it to take it’s deeper place in me but instead have used it temporarily.  I’ve changed slightly over these past months but not as much as I know I would have – and have in the past – had I been in the Word as I should be.

I haven’t taken the time to train my children in areas that I know is important for them as children of God.  I haven’t taken time to play and be silly with them, nor pray and carry their burdens with them.  Even more important than all of that, I haven’t taken time to teach through my actions and through talking of the love of God nearly as often as I should be.

Thankfully God is SO great… and I know I can stop what I’ve been doing and start doing what I’m supposed to be doing – all the time – by faith, with Him.

I go back to remembering that feelings are temporary and truth is eternal… and God’s Word says “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3) As we do this we can be confident in the fact that, “he who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

So I commit to doing as the Lord asks, knowing that He’s promised success.  And I go forth ready for the in’s and out’s of life, standing on this truth – that the work He’s doing in me is good and He’ll carry it on, transforming me to His likeness until the day of Christ!  Praise God!

I pray that you be blessed on this glorious day!  Enjoy Him, get in His Word, and Pray.

Greetings!

I’ve missed you all!

While fasting the computer, I kept a journal.  Several entries consist of plans, struggles and mistakes.  Challenges beyond even my own understanding occurred.  I realized that my problem consisted more with distraction from real life – and the computer did just that.  Whenever I was bored, tired, cranky, stressed, and even hungry, I would desire to turn on the computer.  I longed to watch a movie/show… to do anything to take from the responsibilities around me that I had been avoiding for so long.

Laundry got tackled, reorganization occurred, relationships established, and most importantly I grew in Christ and spent time with Him.  I failed throughout most of the fast… but I did accomplish this – I saw where the problem lied.  I saw what my hindrance is and now I know what I must do.  Even with how hard it is.

I am committing myself to a partial fast.  I am trusting that though it will be difficult, God will help me through it as He did over the 40 days leading up to Easter.  I have found that I can’t do it for me or even my family.  It is only for Him that I was able to succeed.  I must do it for Him again.

I share this with all of you in hopes to be strengthened by the accountability and prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ.  In my weakness His strength is revealed!  I will not be on the computer except for Fridays.  I will continue to keep a journal and share with you my troubles, prayer requests, and praise reports.  I thank you all for your friendship and love!

I have several praises!  God is so good and I am blessed to have seen Him at work in my life.

After an awful and lonesome day about 11 or so days into my fast, I fell at the feet of Jesus.  He gave me a fresh start and showed me in the Word that though a righteous man may fall, he will rise (Proverbs 24:16).  Praise God!

My children and I spent time with one another and played, talked, learned, and enjoyed each other.  Though I fell many times… I kept rising in the name of Jesus! Praise God!

After coming to a place of repentance for secret sins in my life and confessing them to God and those who I’m closest with, I was forgiven!  I rose!  Praise God!

During my fast, after many prayers of friends who lived closer by who I could glean from in the way of which He has been leading us, I received a phone call from a woman who had moved to my area a year ago with her husband and two sons.  They found us on a fellowship directory that was established to help like-minded Christians find others who lived nearby.  They are an experienced homeschooling family who share our Christian faith, family values, marriage roles, child raising, and political views.  I look forward to getting to know them more!  Praise God!

Our new friends suggested and lent us the book “To Train Up a Child” by Debi and Michael Pearl and once I started it, I could not put it down.  I have since (though I’ve fallen, I’ve gotten back up!) seen many changes in the relationship of my children with my husband and I once we started implementing the training we got!  Praise God!

Another book suggested was “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons” and we’ve begun teaching our girls to read.  They’ve enjoyed it and it’s been such an encouragement on this task of raising and educating our children as the Lord leads us to. Praise God!

Without sharing too personal of information, the Lord has brought back into my life several women who have fallen in the wayside over the last year and more!  It was after my decision to fast the computer that God used me to give scriptural strength to a woman against fear of the unknown, comfort and forgiveness to a mother who aborted her baby, as well as a new confidence and hope for a mother of three  in training her children, and who knows how else the Lord is moving/has moved!  I look forward to seeing what else He has in store for me! Praise God!

I am looking for every opportunity to share Jesus, something that I’ve not done as much as I should have been prior to my fast.  I want to speak only by the Lord’s leading and with only His words on my tongue.  Lord I pray that You would give me the words to speak!  In the authority of Jesus!

And so I leave you with the update of the past month and a half.  My prayer is that God would keep in my remembrance… and that I would purpose myself to remember… that I must smile always, speak softly, share the love of Jesus, and pray without ceasing!  In this, only His glory will shine forth!!

Praise God!

Square One

I can’t believe I’m here once again… but I am so now I must look ahead instead of dwelling on the now.  My kids are out of control… and so am I.

Focus: Jesus

Motivation: Training my children in the way they should go.

Goals to reach: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  All are important of course but first and foremost will be self-control.

Self-control to be gentle, to be faithful, to be good, to be kind, to be patient, to have peace, to have joy, and to experience love.  Oh God certainly knows what He’s talking about… now is when I trust.

We’ll be tomato staking… again.  Please, please pray for us.  My hope is that I’m not available because I’m with my children and enjoying it!!

Thanks and God bless!

My Sister Debbie is in Labor!!

DEBBIE’S WATER BROKE @ 12:15am CST!!! YAYAYAYAYA!!!

Contractions are all under 5 mins @ 2am CST!!!

I just received the phone call that @ 4:35am CST Amira Lee is here!  A baby GIRL!!  YAY!!

More info to come!

Sunday Morning Prayer…

“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted,
which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me”
Psalm 41:9

“For it was not an enemy that reproached me;
then I could have borne it:
neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me;
then I would have hid myself from him:
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together,
and walked unto the house of God in company.”
Psalm 55:12–14

Dear Lord as I come to you today
Fill my heart and my whole being
with the wonder of your presence
I purpose to rejoice, even as I am reviled
and even as it’s by sweet friends of old.
Lord surround me in your presence.
Fill me with Your love.
Amen!

This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
Psalm 119:50

Please Agree With Me in Prayer!

Shanna and Toby are friends of a dear friend.  They are excited to be expecting the arrival of their new baby June of ‘09.  They are also frightened because they lost their first baby due to miscarriage but have hope in that they have been given a precious son who is now two years old.  They’ve had an ultrasound and the technician revealed that though the HcG levels are where they should be, there is no baby to be found.  Now I know that technicians can be wrong and I also know that God can do miracles, so if there weren’t ever a good time before now, now is the time to pray!   They have an appointment on Wednesday or Thursday to recheck Shanna’s hormone levels to see if they’ve doubled or dropped.  So please agree with me in prayer over this family.  May God be glorified!

Lord, God, Mighty is Your name.  Father, I lift up Shanna and Toby to you right now, in the authority and awesome name of Jesus Christ.  May You draw near to them during this special and frightful time in their life.  Draw them to you and deliver them as they search to fill this void in their hearts.  Give them the hope that only You can provide, and reveal who You are to them, that they may put their trust in You and declare what You are capable of and will do.  Though their soul is full of troubles, and their life draws near to the grave, give them peace and rest and redemption.  Do not give up on them.  Deliver them and protect them from the enemy.  Lord, God I pray and cry out for their repentance and for them to see You and follow You.  That they may walk prudently and go to Your house; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.  May they draw near to you with mind and mouth but most importantly with their hearts.  It is only You who can draw them, Father.  Only You can cause them to come to You.  Draw them, Lord.  Be their comforter and hope, be their blessing and triumph.  May they praise Your name with the glory that surrounds them and cry out to You in their pain and fears.  Lord, I pray that they draw nearer to You than ever before… draw near to them!

Father I pray for this precious little one in Shanna’s womb.  I believe in miracles and I believe that even if this baby has been lost, that You are a restorer of LIFE.  Show who You are in their life and cause this precious life that You’ve created to flourish and thrive.  Give them Your wisdom in how to best provide for their precious wonder.  Give the doctors wisdom and clear the way for a healthy and safe pregnancy and delivery.  We trust in Your power and might and we trust in Your Will and will praise and trust in Your awesome plan.  You are great and magnificent.  Be blessed through them in Jesus’ powerful and matchless name.  Amen!