Today I am reminded of how God answers our prayers. Years ago I started praying for someone very hungry and confused on their journey to Him. It was a person who had it all figured out in life. They were confronted with a void in life that they were trying to fill, but had a wall that was blocking the view to seeing who He was, is, and will always be. “I think I struggle with my faith because I don’t really believe there is a God.” Words once spoken by a conflicted heart. Words that pierced mine when heard. I thought this person was struggling with the concept of salvation. I didn’t realize they even doubted God’s existence.
You can’t force someone to believe. It is in their own time. Faith is an individual thing…a choice. I gave as much advice as I could at the time. Although I realize now nothing I could have said was as powerful as silent prayers spoken by my pleading heart for them.
Now, years later, I see those prayers were answered. I give thanks. This person is living a life and walking with the One they once doubted existed. I give thanks. It may have taken longer than I had hoped, but it happened. I give thanks.
For all those who have an unbeliever you have been praying for, be encouraged. Trust me, your prayers are being heard.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tool Time
I’ve seen this game around and thought it would be fun to have. However, I figured it could be made cheaper than I could buy it. (I’m going through a bargain minded season in life.) I researched it and found what I needed to get it made and realized we have a ton of old golf balls in the attic. I mentioned it to my husband and said we should make one of these. By “we” of course I meant “him.”
My husband responded by saying “Go ahead, make one.” He then explained he thought I should make one by myself. He would set the tools out for me, but I needed to do it all by myself. So….I did! I used the saw, drill, etc. I even picked out all the supplies I needed at Home Depot by myself. I made the game for a fraction of what it would have cost in the store. Who says girls can’t use all the tools in the garage??
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Line Between the Two
There is a song by Mark Harris called, “The Line Between the Two.” Since the first time I heard it years ago, it has stayed with me. The title refers to the line in between two dates. They aren’t just any dates though, they are the dates on a head stone. You know that little dash line in between the date you are born and the date you leave this world? That’s the line. That line represents what our life was about, what we did while we were here, and our legacy we leave behind. It’s a little line but has huge meaning, and it’s where you and I are right now. It’s the reason why we were put here and the reason why we will wake up tomorrow. It maybe small, but it’s mighty.
C. S. Lewis once said “The future is something in which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes per hour, whatever he does, whoever he is."
We all face the future at the same rate. We all will one day have a line between the two. What will your line represent? What purpose does the Lord have for your line? How do we make the most of the line we are given? Those are questions I don’t have clear answers for. Thankfully, I know the One who does.
I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
C. S. Lewis once said “The future is something in which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes per hour, whatever he does, whoever he is."
We all face the future at the same rate. We all will one day have a line between the two. What will your line represent? What purpose does the Lord have for your line? How do we make the most of the line we are given? Those are questions I don’t have clear answers for. Thankfully, I know the One who does.
I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
Friday, April 2, 2010
Happy Easter
Happy Easter Everyone!
1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (NIV)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sometimes I Wish I Could Walk On Water....
Sometimes I wish I could walk on water…. If I could, then maybe I would have the power to heal a hurting heart. Maybe then I would have arms big enough to hold anyone who needed to be wrapped tightly. Maybe then I could cast away a lingering dark cloud with the wave of a hand. The truth is, the last time I stepped into the ocean, my foot went straight to the bottom and hit the sand. It seems I am not meant to fix it all, although I wish I could.
Two weeks ago, my father-in-law passed away. It was very unexpected and shook the world around us. Phil was in another part of the world, but felt the shake as he heard the news by phone so far away. I wanted to change so much. I wanted to change the outcome of that Friday afternoon. If I had, my father-in-law would still be sitting in his favorite chair in the living room and answering, “I’m still upright” when asked how he is doing today. As I watched, almost in slow motion, the tears drop from my mother-in-law’s face and hit the sleeve of my shirt, I painfully realized something. There was not one thing I could say to stop her heart from hurting in that moment. I hated the helpless feeling I had right then. I wanted to fly through the air and be with my husband and cry with him while he sat in an airport alone with this news. Once he was home, I wanted to change the fact that my arms felt so small. When I’m sad, he has a way of holding me to where I am totally supported to just let go. I’m not big enough to return the favor. I try, but it’s not the same, I’m sure. I longed to fix the pain he was going through, but couldn’t.
I may not be able to walk on water, but another powerful place to be is on your knees….in prayer. That is where I went. Through it all, I saw Him work. I heard Him speak, and I felt Him near. Although I still don’t understand God’s timing of it all, I don’t question His plan. We know Brink is there with Him, and it was his time to go home.
As life goes on after what was a difficult couple weeks, things are different. One thing stays the same though. God is good. No, I may not be able to walk on water, or at least I haven’t been able to yet. I know someone else who can though. Miraculously I have seen Him work. The hurting hearts still hurt, but laugher and smiles are on the faces that were once soaked with tears. My arms haven’t gotten bigger, but my heart did. Just when you think you couldn’t love someone anymore, you heart grows even bigger for them in the midst of their pain. The sun shines again, and that dark cloud that wasn’t mine to take care of is under the control of Someone much greater than me. God is good.
Two weeks ago, my father-in-law passed away. It was very unexpected and shook the world around us. Phil was in another part of the world, but felt the shake as he heard the news by phone so far away. I wanted to change so much. I wanted to change the outcome of that Friday afternoon. If I had, my father-in-law would still be sitting in his favorite chair in the living room and answering, “I’m still upright” when asked how he is doing today. As I watched, almost in slow motion, the tears drop from my mother-in-law’s face and hit the sleeve of my shirt, I painfully realized something. There was not one thing I could say to stop her heart from hurting in that moment. I hated the helpless feeling I had right then. I wanted to fly through the air and be with my husband and cry with him while he sat in an airport alone with this news. Once he was home, I wanted to change the fact that my arms felt so small. When I’m sad, he has a way of holding me to where I am totally supported to just let go. I’m not big enough to return the favor. I try, but it’s not the same, I’m sure. I longed to fix the pain he was going through, but couldn’t.
I may not be able to walk on water, but another powerful place to be is on your knees….in prayer. That is where I went. Through it all, I saw Him work. I heard Him speak, and I felt Him near. Although I still don’t understand God’s timing of it all, I don’t question His plan. We know Brink is there with Him, and it was his time to go home.
As life goes on after what was a difficult couple weeks, things are different. One thing stays the same though. God is good. No, I may not be able to walk on water, or at least I haven’t been able to yet. I know someone else who can though. Miraculously I have seen Him work. The hurting hearts still hurt, but laugher and smiles are on the faces that were once soaked with tears. My arms haven’t gotten bigger, but my heart did. Just when you think you couldn’t love someone anymore, you heart grows even bigger for them in the midst of their pain. The sun shines again, and that dark cloud that wasn’t mine to take care of is under the control of Someone much greater than me. God is good.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
1 Peter
I am studying 1 Peter with a group of women from my church right now. Here are a couple verses that really stood out to me.
1 Peter 2:2-3
“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”
What a great visual! Do you cry out for Him like a baby cries out for milk?
1 Peter 3:10-12
“For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
How often do we pray with a longing for happiness. Does the Bible not clearly give us instructions on how to obtain happy days? Yet, we go searching for happiness in other ways.
1 Peter 2:2-3
“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”
What a great visual! Do you cry out for Him like a baby cries out for milk?
1 Peter 3:10-12
“For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
How often do we pray with a longing for happiness. Does the Bible not clearly give us instructions on how to obtain happy days? Yet, we go searching for happiness in other ways.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Yo-Yo Emotions
Recent things on my mind and my reactions to them:
The other day I heard someone’s cell phone alert them. It was the same setting I had on my old phone back when I was dating my husband. I heard the sound and my stomach suddenly did a flip like when I would get a love note text from him when dating- *Smile* The realization I’m not so different from Pavlov’s dog- *Frown*
Shaun White’s record breaking run on the halfpipe- *Smile* Shaun White doing the air guitar to the National Anthem on the Olympic podium- *Frown*
My favorite show “LOST” is in a new season- *Smile* This is the final season for my favorite show “LOST.”- *Frown*
US Olympic Ski team’s medal winning performances- *Smile* Visions of the man I accidently stabbed in the stomach with my ski pole during my first ski experience- *Frown*
The sound of flatulence during my yoga class- *Frown* The feeling of thankfulness that it wasn’t me- *Smile*
Olympic figure skating- *Smile* Men’s figure skating pants- *Frown*
Signs that summer is on its way and warmer weather is near- *Smile* Signs at the department store that bathing suit season is near- *Frown*
Smoked Barbeque Ribs- *Smile* Our President smoking in the White House- *Frown*
The 1980’s McDonalds commercial where Ronald McDonald helps a little boy ice skate- *Smile* Freakish looking clowns in general- *Frown*
The other day I heard someone’s cell phone alert them. It was the same setting I had on my old phone back when I was dating my husband. I heard the sound and my stomach suddenly did a flip like when I would get a love note text from him when dating- *Smile* The realization I’m not so different from Pavlov’s dog- *Frown*
Shaun White’s record breaking run on the halfpipe- *Smile* Shaun White doing the air guitar to the National Anthem on the Olympic podium- *Frown*
My favorite show “LOST” is in a new season- *Smile* This is the final season for my favorite show “LOST.”- *Frown*
US Olympic Ski team’s medal winning performances- *Smile* Visions of the man I accidently stabbed in the stomach with my ski pole during my first ski experience- *Frown*
The sound of flatulence during my yoga class- *Frown* The feeling of thankfulness that it wasn’t me- *Smile*
Olympic figure skating- *Smile* Men’s figure skating pants- *Frown*
Signs that summer is on its way and warmer weather is near- *Smile* Signs at the department store that bathing suit season is near- *Frown*
Smoked Barbeque Ribs- *Smile* Our President smoking in the White House- *Frown*
The 1980’s McDonalds commercial where Ronald McDonald helps a little boy ice skate- *Smile* Freakish looking clowns in general- *Frown*
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