Praying the Scripture

Someone recently challenged me to praying scripture in my life; then I find this book laying on my desk at work that is filled with verses. On the cover of the book it says "one of the most effective ways to pray is to find out what God has said in His Word about the situation and agree with Him!"  This is truly what I want is to have God's word embedded in my life.  When fear and doubts and negative thoughts start coming in my mind I have been praying scripture out loud - let me just say God is Good! I will leave you with this verse:
God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND   2 Tim. 1:7.

Mother Hen

I guess the "mother hen" nature came out in me the past couple of weeks.  I have a tendency when someone hurts my kid, I just want to slap them up side the face.  Well, I have had to do a spiritual mind check on dealing with "why does that make me angry" and dealing with it in a healthy way.  I found a book by Stormie Omartian about Stepping in the Light and it reminded me again that circumstances come our way not to bring us down but to help us grow and I was reminded that God is in control and He will lead me and help me love and not get upset.  So, I started praying in my heart and it is amazing how quickly my anger was replaced with love.  I am so thankful that God checked up on my attitude. 
So good to hear about Katelyn's trip to Africa and the impact it left on her.  The take away she took from her trip was "to be satisfied with what you have" cause in Africa they basically have nothing and they are happy and in America we want want want and think things is what makes us happy.  She loved going to the orphanages and holding the babies and she commented over and over about how kind and nice and funny the workers from Africa were.  Thank you God for giving her this opportunity!

Minor Accident to Daughter + Daughter to Africa for 2 weeks + Lack of Sleep = Tears

It's been one of those weeks but God is Faithful!  The Song... Everlasting your light will shine when all else fades..Neverending Your glory goes beyond all fame..and the cry of my heart is to bring You praise..from the inside out Lord my soul cries out. 

Thank you Lord for your Faithfulness!

You Are The God Who Performs Miracles...

You are the God who performs miracles:  You display your power among the peoples:  Ps. 77:14
Thanking God today for His protection over Emily and her 2 friends Brittany & Regina.  When you receive a phone call saying there was an accident ... my mind can't help but go back 24 years ago when I got a phone call at work about my husband being in an accident and he passed on from this life to Heaven.  Receiving a call the other day that Emily and her 2 friends were in an accident with the ranger (like a gator) just made me realize again that God is in control and I need to hand it off to Him and I just prayed on my way to the hospital that God would have His will and His way in her life.  After all was said and done there were no broken bones or stitches - but a hard bruise to her lower back and neck.  Praise the Lord and I could feel my body relax!  Emily asked the question, "why did this have to happen?"  and I just simply told her there is a purpose and reason for everything even though we can't always see it but for now, she needs to thank God every time she thinks about her accident for sparing her life and that her injuries are not worse.  Our God is an Awesome God! 

Speaking a Blessing!

Psalms 4:3 -- Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant(insert your name) for himself:  The Lord hears when I (insert name) call to Him.  Today I am so thankful that God hears me any time of night or day when I call upon Him and that He sets me apart for Himself.  Dear God... Open my eyes that I may see those around me who may need a word of encouragement, a smile, a helping hand, or maybe just sitting and listening to them.  May I speak a blessing into someones life.  Amen!

Precious in the sight...

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Psalms 116:15).  I came across this verse the other day in my devotions and had to think of my dear friend Mary Hummel.  This was one of Mary's verses she liked at the end of her life.  Mary was like a second Mom to me and such a dear saint who had a heart of gold.  Thank you Mary for your example of loving Jesus and sharing the love of Jesus to those around you.  One day we will meet our loved ones again and that will be a "shout'in time". 

You Can Make a Difference

A man on the beach where thousands of starfish lay dying in the sun saw a girl tossing them into the sea, one by one.  "Why bother?"  he asked.  "You won't make much of a difference."  Tossing yet another starfish into the sea, the girl said, "I made a difference to that one."  I recently heard this story at a Hospice Volunteer Breakfast and it really spoke to me -- sometimes going through life you wonder if you ever make a difference in someone else's life.  Answering that back - Yes Yes Yes - you and I make a difference.  Don't ever get bogged down with the thought that you don't. 
Speaking of Hospice, I am now officially a volunteer for Hospice.  Ever since my Dad passed away 5 years ago, becoming a volunteer for Hospice has been on my heart.  So, this spring I received a letter in the mail for the training and  I responded and am excited to see what God has in store for me.  Of course my family is "when are you going to fit that in your schedule? - the kids asked "do you get paid for this?" but then on the other hand they give me confirmation that they can definitely see me being a volunteer and enjoying it. 
The thought I leave with you is "Change your thoughts, and you Change your world."