All right ladies lets help her out!!

I received a comment from Digging for Pearls that reads:

If you have a few minutes, I would love your input on my blog in regards to the ten struggles that Christian women face. Thank you!

If you go to her link above and leave your comment, she will put your name in a drawing for a book.

She is asking what are the top 10 things that you struggle with as a Christian women?

Here is the comment I left:


Hi, I'm 32 and a SAHM to 3! I am sure there are more than 10 but here are the struggles that came to mind right now that I face as a Christian women.
1. figuring out who I am
2. quiet time with God
3. obeying God
4. understanding that my top ministry is to my husband
5. anger
6. loneliness
7. selfishness
8. trusting God
9. self image
10. getting everything done cuz I waste too much time

I figure if I nail down #3 then all the others will fall into place!! :)


So let's all go here and help her out!! I'm ready to see that I am not alone with my struggles...so join in, won't you?

Have mercy on me......Then sings my soul

I wonder why I continue through life trying to figure out just how little I need to do in order to be right with God.

Why, if God has sacrificed ALL, can't I get my lazy butt out of bed at 4:30 am to give him my attention? He died for me....is it really that much for him to ask of me?

My selfishness has once again separated me from my Father.

I woke up this morning feeling very alone, and while sitting in church today, this came to mind and I wrote it down on my program:

His mercies are new everyday!

While I am still feeling sad today, I know my Father is merciful. He will see me through.

I need to spend some time on my knees, crying out and asking for forgiveness.

I need to understand why I think it's okay to just try to "get by" when it comes to God- when I know he requires more of me.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:9-11

This is the song my heart is singing to the Lord today





Update: God has shown me this morning( Monday) that I can get up later than I think to spend some time with Him!!

All about a quarter

I received this in an email recently and wanted to share it with you all. I truly believe in my heart that things like this happen everyday!


It's only a quarter.......

Several years ago, a preacher from out of state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.



When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as 'a gift from God' and keep quiet'.



When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.' The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change... I'll see you at church on Sunday.'



When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'



Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians and will put us to the test! Always be on guard and remember that you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian'.



Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.!




WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE.....?

All about prayer

Come see me over here today!!

Remembering

Easter always makes me think of this.....


About 5 years ago, during the beautiful Spring season, I had a miscarriage. I remember going to the doctor and he told me that he and his wife had also had a miscarriage awhile back and that giving the baby a name had helped them with the healing process.

A few days later, this was her name.....

Gone But Not Forgotten

I think I will call you Windy,

It's the perfect name you see.

For you blew through so fast,

It seems almost make believe.

I didn't smell that wonderful scent,

As you flew by with your wings.

Nor did I get to hear you,

You're up where the sparrow sings.

I think I'd like to touch you,

But when I grasp nothing is there.

So I breathe in and I breathe out,

Oh, how I love the air!

By: Cheri

Spring of 2003

all rights reserved

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: " Death has been swallowed up in victory."

1 Corinthians 15: 54

I have peace because I know I will see my baby someday in heaven and I will finally get to hold her hand and look into her beautiful face. For now she is holding the hand of Jesus Christ as he helps her cross the streets of gold. What better place is there than that? I know this with ALL assurance because Jesus Christ concurred the grave. He was raised on the third day and when I die I will be raised to be where He is also.


Thank you Lord, for the peace I have in my heart.

YES! YES! YES!

I know everyone is busy being that it is Easter weekend, so I thought I would go ahead and post my song for...







This song to me says it all. It's the day that Jesus was born for! There is not a song yet that can make me rise to my feet faster than this one.


Thank you Lord, is all I know to say. You are above all else. I pray this Easter you will tug at the hearts of many and the flock will grow beyond comprehension. In Jesus' name, Amen



YES! YES! YES!

Got phobia's?

I hate to see people eating alone, especially if they are elderly. I have felt this way since I was a kid. Even back then my heart hurt for them. How lonely they must be.

I have had this phobia of having to eat in a restaurant by myself for as long as I can remember. I'm sure it's because I don't want people to feel sorry for me. Isn't that crazy?

I will go to great lengths not to have to do this. In fact, while on my way out of town today, I went through the McDonald's drive-thru and then parked in their parking lot to eat. I was not in a hurry, I just didn't want to dine alone in public. Does anyone else feel this way?

As I was in line at the drive-thru I looked over, and through a wall of glass, I peered inside to see yet another elderly women eating alone. While saying a quick prayer for her, I noticed something! She had her hands folded and head bowed in prayer. I just sat and watched as this women prayed to God. She was not alone at all! She had her Father in heaven right beside her.

I spent the rest of my day giving thanks to the Lord!

Thank you for always being there! Thank you for saving my life! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!


You've just got to go here and listen to this!!

You are never alone if you have Jesus!

Why all the yelling?

Most days don't go the way I intend them to. Someone inevitably erks me in some way or another. I get so tired of being an angry person. I just want all the anger to go away.

I believe that generational sin is a real thing. I question why I have to be the one to stop it? Why do I have to be the one who does all the hard work?

I am certain that my tongue has screwed my kids up in some way. And I just want it to stop. But, why do I have to change while everyone else in the house appears to stay the same?

This is what I heard when I questioned the Lord, "Someone has to be willing, right? You are the adult here."

Okay then God, here I am. I don't want to feel this way anymore. I want my family to be peaceful. I want their resting place to be relaxing, a place to de-stress from the outside world. Help me Lord through your word. Help me to realize that I don't have to get angry anymore. You have given us your scripture, which is God breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy3:16). Help me to understand that there is no need to yell. Help me to implement your word into our everyday lives so that we may have some peace. Your word will give me all the wisdom and power that I need. In Jesus' name, Amen

Singin' and Cryin'

My friend DeAnna at The Cox Connection posted her Sings my soul Saturday song.

It's the Hannah Montana song from this post.

The whole reason I bought Dallas that CD. I love it! Let's all make some noise girls! Go here to listen to it.

Hannah Montana......you ROCK!!! :)

When you are done there, go here to see Leah at The Point and read a story she posted yesterday-- a great illustration of God's love for us.

I rocked out to one...and cried at the other!

Is your candle burning?

I was saved on April 24, 1999. I was at a Christian women's conference where Kathy Troccoli was a speaker and also a singer. This women touched my life. I wanted what she had.... a Jesus that would save me from my sin.

I was in nursing school at the time, and it wasn't too long after that great day, that I was to be graduating. As a class we had to come up with 2 songs for the ceremony. I brought in the CD I had gotten at the conference and took it in to share this song with them. They loved it and we decided it would be the song we walked out to.

I never got that CD back.... someone took it. :(
But it's okay, because I have Jesus! :)

I have had the privilege of speaking with Kathy on 2 different occasions since then. Of course, I told her what Jesus had done for me through her! I do hope you enjoy the song as much as I do!

Parked outside and asking, "Why?"

Yesterday I had my mom's day out, three hours of peace and quiet!! My plan was to do some shopping for spring clothes for the boys. Dallas and I had went shopping for her this past weekend so she was already taken care of, for a few weeks anyway! :)

How I ended up where I did could have only been the work of God. There I was parked in front of a pre-teen girl's clothing store that I had told Dallas 3 years ago I would never go back to.(much to her dismay I might add!) True to my word we had not been back. I felt their clothes were totally inappropriate for the age they sell to.

So, why was I sitting here waiting for them to open? God had prompted me to go there.

Once inside, there was a Hannah Montana song and video playing on the TV that I thought Dallas needed to hear. If you have not read this post it would help you understand what I'm about to say. Dallas had a very bad night the day she gave that note to Ashley and she didn't get much sleep. She has been ridiculed at school for giving that note to the girl that is having so many troubles. They are making fun of her for befriending her and " even caring that Ashley is alive."

Yes, folks, that's right. These young children actually said that to Dallas. Kids are sooo cruel! Thank you Lord, that Dallas has a good core group of friends that she can turn to.

Anyway, the song that was playing is called Make Some Noise. It reiterated everything I had tried to tell Dallas the night before. She has to make a choice to stand up for God and care for all people....that is what God calls us to do. One thing that stuck out about the song was when she sang the words --no one can take your place in this world. How true it is. I thought, I'll buy her that CD- but it was twice as much there than it would have been anywhere else, so I meandered over to the sale rack. That's when God's purpose for me being there came to light.

Out of the blue the sales lady says, " Are you ready for Easter?"
" Yes," I replied. "Are you?"

She said, " No, I just can't find anything to give to my kids. I want to do something different than an Easter basket, you know? I want to do something that has meaning. My sister says that Easter is more important than Christmas but that people don't recognize that because everything is so commercialized these days. And ya know, I think she's right, don't you?"

I said, " Yes, I think she is right."

Okay ladies, at this point I know that God placed me here. People don't normally just walk up to you and start asking questions about Jesus and Easter..it was our only topic of conversation. I
wasn't wearing an I love Jesus T-shirt or anything. It was definetly a God thing!

So, as I'm thumbing through all the clothes I'm thinking....okay God, what is it I'm supposed to say...please give me the right words. My mind is searching for a cool gift idea for her to give her kids instead of an Easter basket. Nothing is coming to me. I continue to wander around as she talks about how they had visited this non-denominational church once and she liked the music they played. I told her about the band at our church and that I thought they were awesome, and then it came to me. Ding... Ding...Ding!! DUH!! Invite her and her family to go to church with you.

Now I'm thinking okay you gotta purchase something so you can get up there and write all your info down. I knew I was not going to spend $40 on a shirt my daughter would outgrow after she wore it 3 times (though I did notice that all of their clothes were very age appropriate now... Dallas will be thrilled!) so I decided to get the high dollar CD. I felt good about spending that money though!

I went to pay and invited her to church. I wrote down all the info., our phone number, the name of the church, and introduced myself. Her name is Robin. I don't know if she will call or not, it may have just been a test from God to see if I would obey.

It brought this verse to mind:

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver
Psalms 66:10

What I do know is that God was there with me...He was watching! I do hope she calls, but if that was not his plan then I will still be joyous, because I did what he asked me to do. There have been times I have not obeyed..read this and it has cost me dearly.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to serve you. Please continue to refine me like silver. I pray that you will find me fit enough to use me anytime and every time. I am listening, Lord. In Jesus' name and all according to your will, Amen.

God Has Blessed Me!

Come join me in my new venture! I have been asked to write devotions for 2 Christian websites.

One is at Faith Lifts, where you will find me every other Wednesday. The other is at Writer....Interrupted, where you will find me the 2nd Wednesday of every month.




Whenever it is posted on their website I will give you a link to it from my blog. I do hope you will join me on these days. Today they are both posting my first devotions and they are different. So I hope you will take a few extra minutes and stop by to read both.





I pray you will be blessed!

Click here to read at Faith Lifts and then click here to read at Writer....Interrupted!

Does Anybody Hear Her?

The front of the letter says: "I'm Sorry Dallas."

What first captured my interest was a face she had drawn on the front. It was a circle with 2 dashes for eyes and a frowning mouth. There was a teardrop coming out of her eye. The inside read:

Dallas I'm sorry for shoving you into the lockers. I know how it feels I have been pushed a lot of times. I did not mean to push you like I said I have anger issues. I hope nobody was hurt especially you. So I hope that your okay. I hope your back feels better soon. Really soon. But anyway I'm sorry!

from Ashley

P.S. I will try to make my anger issues go away. Well I hope you feel better.

This was a letter that Dallas had gotten today from a bully at school that she has had a little bit of a problem with lately. Dallas stated that Ashley doesn't have many friends because she is so mean. I had tears in my eyes as I told Dallas we needed to pray for this girl.

Instead of being angry about what she had done to my daughter, God had shown me the heart of a girl in pain.

I told Dallas that there may be some issues for her at home that no one knows about, so we needed to pray for her. Dallas said, "I know what's going on...I asked her the other day when I saw her crying."

I have to say here that I am proud of my daughter for taking the time to ask Ashley what was wrong after this girl has been so mean to her.

I guess Ashley's parents have just recently divorced and she is being passed around to relatives that live close by. Right now she is living with her grandparents. While I don't know the whole story, I know enough to say that this little girl needs some prayer.

Dallas and I talked and decided that we would write down a scripture on a piece of paper for Dallas to give to her tomorrow.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Dallas is going to give it to her tomorrow and tell her that Jesus is always listening. She is going to hopefully get her phone number so we can invite her to go to church with us.

Please pray for this girl, Ashley. It appears that she is going through a lot right now and possibly has been for quite some time.

Thank you friends, in advance, for your prayers.

Then Sings My Soul

My friend Amy is hosting "Then Sings My Soul Saturday!" You can read all about it by clicking on her link. Basically what you are to do is share a song that has touched your soul in some way.
The song I chose to share is a new version of an oldie that we sang at church today. Since Easter is just around the corner...watch and remember what He did for you!

Don't Forget

Reminder
Daylight Savings begins Sunday, March 9th at 2am.
Don’t forget to set your clocks forward before you go to bed Saturday night!

And God said, " Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he seperated the light from the darkness. He called the light "day" and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day.

Genisis 1: 3-5 NIV

" Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV

The sun no more will be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be you everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.

Isaiah 60:19-20 NIV

She thinks I smell good!!....Updated

Note from Kimberly: Sweet and wonderful and creative Mary Lu made an actual graphic for this award! I thank you, Mary Lu! I am just so not computer savvy!!! So here it is....the "Pleasing Aroma" Award designed by Mary Lu! Thank you so much! It is wonderful! :)

My sweet friend Kimberly at A Planting of the Lord passed on an award to me and a few other girls today. This is what she said:

"Instead of passing out three different awards this morning, I am going to pass out one. One that is just on my heart this morning....the "Pleasing Aroma Award." I have no cute picture or anything you have to link to. (I looked around on photobucket, but nothing caught my fancy.) You don't need to pass this on. I'm not trying to create a new award to circulate the bloggy world. This is just from my heart to yours."

I wanted to say thank you Kimberly for passing such a wonderful award to me....one that came straight from your heart. You have no idea how much your sweet words mean to me.

I smoked for about 10 years. As of January 31st I haven't touched a cigarette in 3 years. I know that is not what you mean by the pleasing aroma award, but if someone tells me 'I smell good' it just reminds me of a bad habit I concurred.

I am so thankful that God has chosen to use me in this way and it is so nice to hear that someone thinks I permeate Jesus. How awesome! Thank you Lord!

Go to Kimberly's link above and find out what this award is all about and check out the links she has provided to all those that touch her heart. I am sure you will be blessed.

I so wish I could meet you dear friend- I would give you a great big hug and tell you thank you. I am blessed by you EVERYDAY!

A Man in Uniform

I woke up with such a heavy burden on my heart today. It was for my brother-in-law Marc who is now deployed in Iraq. I couldn't get him off my mind. It just kept coming at me. I prayed for him.

Later in the day while still feeling this way, this verse came to mind:

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

The sacrifice these men and women make for you and me seemed so overwhelming this morning. They love their friend ( country) enough to die for it. How awesome is that?

I am guilty of not always taking the time to remember the sacrifice. The HUGE sacrifice they make. My heart is overflowing with gratitude. Thank you could never be enough. So I will do the best thing I know to do...PRAY!

Dear heavenly Father, I come to you today and ask that you put your arms of protection around these men and women. We don't know what they are doing right now, but you do. Watch over them and tug at the hearts of the ones that don't know you. Whisper to all of them how much you love them. Bring them home safely to their families and fill their loved ones with a peace that surpasses all understanding. Help me to remember their sacrifice on a daily basis so that I never again become so lax with the freedom that they are fighting for. In Jesus' name, Amen

Another disaster averted

My husband whisked me away this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary. His parents came to watch the kids for us. Thank you very much Gary and Cheryl-- we had a great time!

Upon our arrival home our kids came rushing us with gifts they had picked out for us. They didn't want to wait, we had to open them right then. Justin handed us his first. It was beautifully wrapped and inside was a candle. It was one of those that has 3 layers, a light color, then medium, and then the darker color at the bottom. We gave him a kiss and told him thank you.

It was time for Dallas to give us her gifts. As she passed them to me she said, " I have 2 so that each of you can open one." Justin, feeling sad now because he didn't get 2 for us, said " See how rude she is?" He looked so sad. I instantly said what God put on my heart, " Justin but your gift is special, it has 3 layers- one for me-one for daddy- and one for Jesus, who holds us together.


A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12


It was just what he needed to hear because his face lit up. He now knew his gift has special meaning. Thank you Jesus for just the right words at just the right time. You never fail me.

Dallas had gotten us a jar candle and a box of milk duds! Aren't kids just so cute?

I put the candles on the mantle and they gave us a wonderful aroma that evening. The 2 of those candles together smell awesome!

The year 2000!

Dear Kyle,

We have been married for 8 years today. What a journey it has been.

I wanted to tell you what made me fall in love with you....you bought me flowers. It was just a simple thing like that. I know that may seem silly- but it's true. I had never had anyone treat me with such care. You loved me from the start, I have no doubt.

The first couple of years we were married you really had to put up with a lot from me. And for that I want to say thank you. Thank you for sticking around and not giving up on me. No other man ever took the time.... the time to show me what love is really all about. You opened my eyes to see and my heart to feel.

Just a few weeks ago you had brought flowers home to me. There was no specific occasion, as usual, you just brought them home. I know you didn't hear this because you were downstairs, but Dallas said, " I sure hope I marry a man like that." Our daughter wants to marry a man like her father. What more could I possibly hope for. I will never forget her saying that. She is watching you and she is going to be a teenager very soon. It is so exciting for me to know that she has such a great man to look up to.

Not even a week after that our oldest son, while sitting on the couch with me, said " I want a wife like you." "What kind of wife is that I asked?" "One that cooks good food and keeps the house clean and takes good care of her kids." My little mommy heart melted.

After hearing all of that, it is evident to me that we must be doing something right. Our children want what we have in our marriage. How special is that? How could we ask for more?

Happy Anniversary!

I LOVE YOU!!

Passin' on the love...

My real life friend Carol, at sheep to the right, gave me this award quite some time ago. First, I would like to say thank you Carol for giving this to me. It has taken me some time to pass this along because everyone I would have sent it to already had it. So, I took awhile, waiting to find just the right person.




I did! I am passing on the love to my new friend Laurie. You can find her over here at Women Taking a Stand. I came across her blog by way of her CWO interview this past month. What I love most about her is the way she takes a certain point and follows it through to the end. Her words are wise and I learn something every time I go to her place. So, here you go Laurie... I just wanted to say thank you.



Don't forget to pass on the love when you find something good to share!