tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48337141486836745842024-01-16T03:01:00.089-05:00One Thing Spoken, Two Things HeardPsalm 62:11-12
Listening for God's Strength and LoveNataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.comBlogger339125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-53083255986249160622012-12-22T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-22T08:00:03.171-05:00How I Saw Eternity in 124 Days<br />
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<i>*A re-post from the archives in remembrance of my sweet "nephew" Jayden on the one year anniversary of his passing into the arms of Jesus.*</i></div>
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I hope you have seen the video my cousins made in celebration of their sweet baby Jayden, who went home to be with the Lord after 124 days of life here on this earth. If you have not, please watch it first <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2012/01/story-of-jayden.html">here</a> before reading this post.</div>
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As I mentioned in that post, there are so many things I want to say about the experience of loving and losing Jayden. God gave him to our family for a short time, but for a great purpose. Part of Jayden's purpose was surely to change me. In honor of him, I want to share with you how God used this precious baby to do that.</div>
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Before Jayden was even born, he began to change me. During Christina's pregnancy, we were made aware of some concerns the doctors had about how Jayden was developing in utero. Each time a concern was raised, we prayed and God removed the issue. At the next sonogram, the concern would be gone! <b>Through Jayden, I learned how to really pray- fervent, unceasing, faith filled and unselfish prayers. And because of him, I learned that God does still heal! </b>I saw Him miraculously heal JJ not once but twice. </div>
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When Jayden was born and all seemed well, I was overjoyed! When I saw his precious face in photos for the first time, the tears of thankfulness flowed. <b>Even now, as I look back, I thank God my cousins had a </b><b>month of typical life with a newborn. I pray that God has engraved the sweetness of that time on their hearts forever.</b></div>
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One afternoon, when JJ was about a month old, I got a phone call from Christina to let me know they were on their way to the hospital and to ask for prayer for Jayden. Once again, it was time to persevere in prayer. <b>Through the ups and downs and the lack of answers from the doctors, Jayden taught me how to press on in prayer and to trust God with the result. His life forced me to put my faith in action. Do I really believe that with God all things are possible? Do I really believe that God’s plan is perfect?</b></div>
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When God made a way for my cousins to bring Jayden home and I was able to meet him, I felt such great thankfulness for the opportunity. <b>Holding him for those brief moments were a gift I will never forget nor take for granted. I will never forget his beautiful eyes, his round cheeks, his sweet smile and of course how he looked just like his daddy. </b></div>
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During my visit, my cousins held a beautiful prayer service for Jayden. I will never forget how they purposed to keep the mood light yet prayerful and reverent. Their grace and peace spoke volumes to those of us looking on- both believers and non-believers. <b>As a believer, I was encouraged to see that God does indeed give special grace in our time of need. And those who don’t believe saw a faith that was real, and how God could be loved, honored and glorified even as one walks through pain and fear.</b></div>
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When I got the phone call I had been praying against for so long, my heart broke. But Jayden’s life and my cousins' response to his life and his death, once again taught me. <b>I learned<i>, really learned</i>, that life is a vapor. This is not just head knowledge for me anymore. Instead I feel that truth now with an ache in my heart. My eyes have been opened to see that not one of us is promised tomorrow. I have had to experience what that feels like and to watch my loved ones suffer because of it. I have been forced to acknowledge how I have taken the precious gift of life for granted. I have been inspired to change that- to become one who appreciates each moment of life- my own and my loved ones- as a gift. </b></div>
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My cousins' determination to honor God by celebrating Jayden’s life despite their pain was beautiful! Once again, I saw Him give them the special grace to do just that at JJ's Celebration of Life service. From the music they chose, to the words of the pastor, to the incredible <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2012/01/story-of-jayden.html">video</a>, to Christina’s unscripted appeal onstage to all to come to know God, to the release of 124 balloons in celebration of his 124 days of life, they set the tone of celebration and faith in the midst of suffering and sorrow. <b>They lifted God and His goodness above all else and, in doing so, set an example for all of us who believe and planted a seed in the hearts of those who do not.</b></div>
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The truth is, I wish with everything in me, that Jayden was still with us. That our prayers had been answered differently and I could have rejoiced to watch him toddling through my cousins' yard as we enjoyed our annual week together in the summer. I mourn with them. I weep with them. <b>But praise God that we do not grieve like those who have no hope! We know where JJ is- in the arms of our Jesus. And we know that he is healed and whole. We know that we will see him again- and this time it will not be for a vapor but for eternity.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I don’t know how to do this. How to grieve a sweet little cousin. How to love my cousins well. How to minister at this time. I only know this. <b>That I love my cousins and their family so very much. And that He loves them exceedingly and abundantly more than I ever could.</b> So I simply trust that they will come through this stronger and more equipped to do His will. And I ask Him to give me what I need to be there for them. </div>
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<b>Thank you, Christina and Jason, for sharing Jayden with me. I am forever changed because of him!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-56942135569700727392012-12-18T17:09:00.004-05:002012-12-18T17:09:50.387-05:00A Chasing After the Wind<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I listen to the news, scroll through my News Feed on Facebook and navigate blogs following the inconceivable evil wrought on Friday morning in Newtown, CT, this is what keeps rising up in my mind: </span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eccl-1-14" id="en-NIV1984-17330">"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. </span>What is twisted cannot be straightened, what is lacking cannot be counted." Ecclesiastes 1: 14-15</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="text Eccl-12-13" id="en-NIV1984-17537" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">Twenty fresh-faced, rosy-cheeked lives were snuffed out in an act of carnage so repugnant, one cannot bear to think on it too long without a visceral response. Six brave, selfless women- mothers, daughter, aunts, sisters, wives, friends- were prematurely ripped from this earth. Countless family members, friends and survivors have been forever marred by staggering trauma and loss. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="text Eccl-12-13" id="en-NIV1984-17537" style="position: relative;">We cry out about gun control and mental illness and prescription drugs. Politicians make impassioned promises to right all that is wrong with this world with their policies and laws. <b>But the hard truth is this: what is twisted cannot be straightened, what is lacking cannot be counted. </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="text Eccl-12-13" id="en-NIV1984-17537" style="position: relative;">No amount of dialogue or legislation or research or best practices can restrain the evil that can be borne out of the human heart. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>We are a twisted people living in a fallen world. </b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Our ONLY hope is not found in anything we can do to save us from ourselves. <b>Our futile attempts to do so are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, our ONLY hope is found in the God of the Bible. Our ONLY hope is found in the Father who loved us so much that He sent His only Son to take the penalty for our sin. Our ONLY hope is found in the Holy Spirit who gives us power to live a godly life. <b>Our ONLY hope is in the ONLY One who can straighten our twisted hearts and make our lives count despite all we lack in our own strength. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Today, we weep with those who weep. We pray and cry out to the God of all comfort to heal the broken-hearted and to be close to those who are crushed in spirit. </b>We share God's love whenever and however we can. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hslda/posts/10151274260138419">It's the only appropriate response in this hour.</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soon, yes, there will be honest dialogue about gun control, mental illness, and prescription drugs. And spirit-filled believers must enter in to these dialogues, using the principles from God's Word and the wisdom He gives us to make a difference in this world. <b>However, we must never be blinded to the truth in this process. The truth that <a href="http://www.qideas.org/blog/a-connecticut-winter-why-our-hearts-break.aspx">only God can bring the full restoration our hearts long for</a> and we must never waver in this message. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Now all has been heard;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span></span></span><span class="text Eccl-12-13" style="position: relative;">here is the conclusion of the matter: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fear God<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-17537P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup> and keep his commandments,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span></span></span><span class="text Eccl-12-13" style="position: relative;">for this is the whole duty of man. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For God will bring every deed into judgment, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span></span></span><span class="text Eccl-12-14" style="position: relative;">including every hidden thing,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14</span></i></span> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There is a day, and it's coming soon, when He will right every wrong and wipe every tear from our eyes. </b></span> </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"And in despair, I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth, I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail. With peace on earth, good will to men." from I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day</span></i></div>
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-27219394699345866772012-11-16T07:53:00.002-05:002012-11-16T07:53:48.952-05:00Wisdom from Above<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Prov-16-21" id="en-NIV1984-16862" style="position: relative;">"The <b>wise</b> in heart are called <b>discerning</b>,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span></span><span class="text Prov-16-21" style="position: relative;">and pleasant words promote instruction." Proverbs 16:21</span></span></i></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Wednesday morning during my Quiet Time, I pulled out the study cards I had created during the time I spent doing <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2011/01/freedom-road.html">Beth Moore's Breaking Free</a> Bible study awhile back. Wednesday morning followed a particularly convicting meeting I attended on Tuesday evening. The Holy Spirit just would not let me ignore some patterns I had slipped back into anymore.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I think about it, He started prompting my heart on this issue back on Saturday, actually, but I put it all together on Wednesday. Saturday was our church's annual Women's Retreat, and the topic was drawn from Colossions 1:9:</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"For this reason, since the day we heard about you,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-29459A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">we have not stopped praying for you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-29459B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and asking God to fill you with the <b>knowledge</b> of his will </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-29459C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">through all <b>spiritual wisdom and understanding</b>." </span></i></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or perhaps, He's been trying to get my attention on this subject for over a week now. Last Thursday, during my Quiet Time, He reminded me of this: </span><br />
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<i><span class="text Jas-3-13">"Who is <b>wise and understanding</b> among you? Let him show it<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30317P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup> by his good life, by deeds<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30317Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> done in the humility that comes from <b>wisdom</b>.</span> <span class="text Jas-3-14" id="en-NIV1984-30318"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30318R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup> in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30318S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Jas-3-15" id="en-NIV1984-30319">Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30319T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup>but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30319U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Jas-3-16" id="en-NIV1984-30320">For where you have envy and selfish ambition,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30320V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> there you find disorder and every evil practice. </span></i><i><span class="text Jas-3-17" id="en-NIV1984-30321">But the <b>wisdom that comes from heaven</b><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30321W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> is first of all <b>pure; then peace-loving,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30321X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> considerate, submissive, full of mercy<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30321Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> and good fruit, impartial and sincere.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30321Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup></b></span><b> </b><span class="text Jas-3-18" id="en-NIV1984-30322">Peacemakers<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30322AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup> who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3: 13-17</span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There has been much frustration here lately. My children have been argumentative, whiny, complaining, tattling, provoking one another. And I have failed to instruct them well. Instead, in my exhaustion and to be frank laziness, I have either ignored the issues or reacted out of anger. My words have not been pleasant. They have not been derived from a consistent asking for and seeking wisdom from above. They have not promoted instruction or peace, mercy or good fruit.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am praying about how to begin addressing these weaknesses in my children. I am praying that God would start this process by addressing my weaknesses. I am praying for wisdom, discernment and follow through. I am praying for pleasant words that promote instruction.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Prov-16-21" id="en-NIV1984-16862" style="position: relative;">"The <b>wise</b> in heart are called <b>discerning</b>,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span></span><span class="text Prov-16-21" style="position: relative;">and pleasant words promote instruction." Proverbs 16:21</span></span></i></span></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Give me heavenly wisdom, that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Make me wise in heart. Give me discernment. Fill my mouth with pleasant words that promote instruction. Thank You for speaking to me, Lord. I trust that You will work in me, conforming me more and more into Your image. In Jesus' name, amen.</i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-80330512686775251742012-05-10T11:54:00.000-04:002012-05-10T11:54:09.880-04:00Spilled Milk (or Water, Actually)<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4</span></i></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, I'm not a father, but I'm pretty sure that does not let me off the hook with this one. The verse popped up in my News Feed on Facebook this morning. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT1jsoq1Mh4P-PRYTgQ7vNTqOK0DGT6oSFdqkowzN7z2BBNxHBAKe0C8OxhJVng2E9nHM-imqiNG3gQ37edX7dW4z7qMlep0yBYJpwazM7DeYH4UHqPkfHozdj0me2x9CihebVsSDvPfY/s1600/facebook+feed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT1jsoq1Mh4P-PRYTgQ7vNTqOK0DGT6oSFdqkowzN7z2BBNxHBAKe0C8OxhJVng2E9nHM-imqiNG3gQ37edX7dW4z7qMlep0yBYJpwazM7DeYH4UHqPkfHozdj0me2x9CihebVsSDvPfY/s320/facebook+feed.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right after I yelled at my poor oldest boy for spilling a glass of water all over the homeschool table and the pile of paperwork that I am working through today, even as he was already trying to mop up the mess.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*Sigh* </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was thankful for His reminder. It helped me to quickly repent and ask for forgiveness. While He was quick to forgive, my boy took a little longer. I understood why, I was out of line. So I gave him the time and space he needed and before long we reconciled. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The papers dried quickly, but the wound to his heart might take longer. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZs2yOgHqXyBYbP5E14DNda_Helso9O4mFs4Zwf9QOfmU9K4TWrkNHRuIpkvLCAhADDj8CvkWcl_0e9c58Sv-TedpnkapPqF5IGBiOxQm93yvbGu7fDgBviHS2cpj3k5OnVshFNrdFiVw/s1600/wet+papers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZs2yOgHqXyBYbP5E14DNda_Helso9O4mFs4Zwf9QOfmU9K4TWrkNHRuIpkvLCAhADDj8CvkWcl_0e9c58Sv-TedpnkapPqF5IGBiOxQm93yvbGu7fDgBviHS2cpj3k5OnVshFNrdFiVw/s320/wet+papers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord, give me grace to raise my children with patience and gentleness. Help me to see what is truly important in each moment and to respond to that. Give me self-control to push down frustration and anger and to respond with the love and grace You show me. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">***It's been a long time since I last posted here! Life as a homeschooling mama is busy and full. I miss this space, but seldom have time to post here. I do update our homeschooling blog fairly regularly, though, and I'd love to see you there: <a href="http://ourgreathomeschoolexperiment.blogspot.com/">Our Great Homeschool Experiment</a>***</span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-4947161503131692842012-01-17T06:00:00.000-05:002012-01-18T13:04:12.502-05:00How I Saw Eternity in 124 Days<br />
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I hope you have seen the video my cousins made in celebration of their sweet baby Jayden, who went home to be with the Lord after 124 days of life here on this earth. If you have not, please watch it first <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2012/01/story-of-jayden.html">here</a> before reading this post.</div>
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As I mentioned in that post, there are so many things I want to say about the experience of loving and losing Jayden. God gave him to our family for a short time, but for a great purpose. Part of Jayden's purpose was surely to change me. In honor of him, I want to share with you how God used this precious baby to do that.</div>
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Before Jayden was even born, he began to change me. During Christina's pregnancy, we were made aware of some concerns the doctors had about how Jayden was developing in utero. Each time a concern was raised, we prayed and God removed the issue. At the next sonogram, the concern would be gone! <b>Through Jayden, I learned how to really pray-
fervent, unceasing, faith filled and unselfish prayers. And because of him, I learned that God does still heal! </b>I saw Him miraculously heal JJ not once
but twice. </div>
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When Jayden was born and all seemed well, I was
overjoyed! When I saw his precious
face in photos for the first time, the tears of thankfulness flowed. <b>Even now, as I look back, I thank God my cousins had a </b><b>month of
typical life with a newborn. I pray that God has engraved the sweetness of that
time on my cousins' hearts forever.</b></div>
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One afternoon, when JJ was about a month old, I got a phone call from Christina to let
me know they were on their way to the hospital and to ask for prayer for
Jayden. Once again, it was time to
persevere in prayer. <b>Through the
ups and downs and the lack of answers from the doctors, Jayden taught me how to
press on in prayer and to trust God with the result. His life forced me to put my faith in action. Do I really believe that with God all
things are possible? Do I really
believe that God’s plan is perfect?</b></div>
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When God made a way for my cousins to bring Jayden home and I was able to meet him, I felt such great thankfulness for the opportunity. <b>Holding him for those brief moments
were a gift I will never forget nor take for granted. I will never forget his beautiful eyes, his round cheeks, his
sweet smile and of course how he looked just like his daddy. </b></div>
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During my visit, my cousins held a beautiful prayer service for Jayden. I will never forget how they purposed to keep
the mood light yet prayerful and reverent. Their grace and peace spoke volumes to those of us looking
on- both believers and non-believers.
<b>As a believer, I was encouraged to see that God does indeed give special
grace in our time of need. And
those who don’t believe saw a faith that was real, and how God could be loved, honored
and glorified even as one walks through pain and fear.</b></div>
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When I got the phone call I had been praying against for so
long, my heart broke. But Jayden’s
life and my cousins' response to his life and his death, once again taught me. <b>I learned<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, really learned</i>, that life is a vapor. This is not just head knowledge for me anymore. Instead I feel that truth now with an
ache in my heart. My eyes have
been opened to see that not one of us is promised tomorrow. I have had to experience what that
feels like and to watch my loved ones suffer because of it. I have been forced to acknowledge how I
have taken the precious gift of life for granted. I have been inspired to change that- to become one who
appreciates each moment of life- my own and my loved ones- as a gift. </b></div>
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My cousins' determination to honor God by celebrating Jayden’s life
despite their pain was beautiful!
Once again, I saw Him give them the special grace to do just that at JJ's Celebration of Life service. From the music they chose, to the words
of the pastor, to the incredible <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2012/01/story-of-jayden.html">video</a>, to Christina’s unscripted appeal
onstage to all to come to know God, to the release of 124 balloons in celebration of his 124 days of life, they set the tone of celebration and faith
in the midst of suffering and sorrow.
They lifted God and His goodness above all else and, in doing so, set an
example for all of us who believe and planted a seed in the hearts of those who do not.</div>
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The truth is, I wish with everything in me, that Jayden
was still with us. That our prayers
had been answered differently and I could have rejoiced to watch him toddling
through my cousins' yard as we enjoyed our annual week together in the summer. I mourn with them,.
I weep with them. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But praise God that we do not grieve like
those who have no hope! We know
where JJ is- in the arms of our Jesus.
And we know that he is healed and whole. We know that we will see him again- and this time it will
not be for a vapor but for eternity.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I don’t know how to do this. How to grieve a sweet little cousin. How to love my cousins well. How to minister at this time. I only know this. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">That
I love my cousins and their family so very much.
And that He loves them exceedingly and abundantly more than I ever could.</b> So I simply trust that they will come
through this stronger and more equipped to do His will. And I ask Him to give me what I need to
be there for them. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thank you, Christina and Jason, for sharing
Jayden with me. I am forever
changed because of him!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div><center><a href="http://canvaschild.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmNYzPvsXJBD0zcEUlwNJEg_1CPuXlIgQPKsHiPuRGDP5xEknRpaoHEj4R_USilx5RoLWskQ2rqWp3BRePNm4l0uayqfxwfp3rAAkj9drUt6vk7oXnzCeBEVjEoHnarC46qAmc4l53h4/s1600/blog+button.jpg" /></a></center>
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-33500979952386012932012-01-12T09:45:00.001-05:002012-01-12T09:45:12.574-05:00By Faith<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may remember that last January I started the Bible in 90 Days challenge with my friend, <a href="http://flourishingmother.blogspot.com/">Andrea</a>. It was a wonderful experience, and one I hope to repeat in the future. However, in keeping with my mission of limiting as much pressure as possible from my daily schedule to focus on this <a href="http://ourgreathomeschoolexperiment.blogspot.com/">first year of homeschooling</a>, I decided to take on a less daunting but hopefully just as fulfilling task this January. While Andrea reads the Bible in 90 Days again, I am reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-NIV-Bible-Continuing-People/dp/031095097X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326330313&sr=8-1">The Story</a> in 90 Days. We started on Monday and are holding one another accountable for keeping up with our daily reading through regular texts and encouragement. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you are not familiar with <i>The Story</i>, it is basically a chronological compilation of all the major stories, prophecies, psalms and proverbs of the Bible. It does not include every scripture verse in the Bible, but all of the prose in <i>The Story </i>are word for word verses from the NIV Bible. The purpose of <i>The Story</i> is to tell the narrative of God and His people, making "the insistent claim that a loving God has sought you and provided a way of redemption- a way for you to enter a relationship with Him." (p. ix)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning as I began reading about Abraham, these verses really ministered to me and where I am in my faith journey right now:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Hebrews 11: 8-10</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"Abram</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">believed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">LORD</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15: 6</span></i> </span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"Against</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">all</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">hope</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, Abraham in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">hope</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be." Romans 4:18</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." Romans 4: 20-21 </span></i> </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Biblical faith is not mere head knowledge. It is not intellectual assent to the existence of God. After all, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2:19&version=NIV1984">even the demons believe- and shudder! </a> Biblical faith is obedience no matter the cost. It is going where you are called, even when you do not know where you are going. It is living as a nomad, never setting down immovable roots, so as to be ready to go when called at a moment's notice. It is believing with hopeful expectation in the promises of God, even when the circumstances look to be against all hope. It is unwavering. It is being fully persuaded in His power. It gives glory to God in the midst of pain, fear and confusion. It is looking forward to that city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abraham and Sarah had reason to fear, but they had bigger faith. <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2012/01/story-of-jayden.html">My cousins</a> have sorrow and pain, but they have bigger faith. I have had times of fear, sorrow, confusion and pain. And I am learning to walk by bigger faith. A faith that is bigger than all these feelings. A faith that is hopeful, expectant, ready and willing, and glorifies God. A Biblical faith. As I journey, I am thankful for the examples of faith from the Word and from this life. And I am thankful for my God who is always FAITHFUL to nudge me along in my walk of faith, bringing me ever closer to that city with foundations. </span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-88265476463349584392012-01-04T13:51:00.000-05:002012-01-04T13:51:10.927-05:00The Story of JaydenI have many of my own thoughts and feelings about what I am posting here today but for now I'll let Christina and Jay tell the story in their own beautiful words:<br />
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<br/>If you have ever prayed for this sweet baby at my request, thank you! Will you continue to pray now for Christina, Jay, Alex and Mya?<br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-77270384927898364182011-11-30T23:32:00.000-05:002011-11-30T23:32:07.555-05:00Sowing in Tears<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" Ps 126: 5</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've written here before about a <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2011/11/jenny-on-journey-of-praying-her-way.html">very special baby</a>. We have received some devastating news about his diagnosis and prognosis. We are sowing in tears right now. I am not free to share the names of the baby and my cousins but God knows. And if you would be willing to lift them up in prayer, I would be truly grateful.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sweet friend, <a href="http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com/">Mary</a>, posted this song on her blog tonight. It so ministered to my broken heart this evening. Maybe it will to yours as well?</span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-48961528768521331612011-11-27T08:50:00.000-05:002011-11-27T08:50:11.889-05:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 94<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a>.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2094&version=NIV1984">Psalm 94</a></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"When I said, “My foot is slipping,”<br /> your love, O LORD, supported me.<br />When anxiety was great within me,<br /> your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94: 18-19</i></span> </blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This psalm is so full of truth. Choosing a verse or two on which to meditate and pray is difficult. It speaks of God, the avenger of all wrongs. It warns of the coming judgement of the evildoers who seem to be flourishing everywhere. It reminds that God sees, hears, knows all things and is still in control. It exhorts us to see His discipline as blessing. It demonstrates how God is our fortress and rock. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I read and re-read this psalm, though, the words of verses 18 and 19 continued to jump out at me. Because, these words, I have lived. There are times when my foot is slipping and whatever I do, I cannot seem to regain my footing on my own. It is in those times, when His love has supported me. It is then when I am sure that I am <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2010/10/caught.html">caught</a> in His grace. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when anxiety threatens to overwhelm my peace. When the circumstance of our life seem insurmountable, it is only His consolation given to me through His Word, that brings joy to my soul.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, thank You for Your love that supports me and Your consolation that brings me joy. On this Thanksgiving weekend, I am thankful most for You. I am thankful for the fact that I have been restored to relationship with You. I am redeemed! And to that, You add innumerable blessings. Thank You, Lord! May I retain my gratitude and awe for You during this holiday season. Help us to keep You at the center of all our celebrations!</i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-6474998913384752622011-11-21T06:45:00.001-05:002011-11-21T06:51:46.365-05:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 93<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a>.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2093&version=NIV1984">Psalm 93</a></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,<br /> mightier than the breakers of the sea—<br /> the LORD on high is mighty." Psalm 93: 4</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mightier also than my wandering heart. And than my weak flesh. And than my broken promises. And than all the ways I fall short. <b>The LORD on high is mighty.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, thank You for this reminder of Who is in control. No matter what the season in my walk with You or in my relationships with loved ones or in the circumstances of life, You are mightier. I pray that You would revive me in my spirit, change me in the areas of my failings and work together for good those life circumstances that look bleak and scary. In Jesus' name, amen.</i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-53407540626422947172011-11-18T07:05:00.001-05:002011-11-18T07:15:08.675-05:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 92<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a>.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2092&version=NIV1984">Psalm 92</a></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"<b>It is good</b> to praise the LORD<br /> and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning<br /> and your faithfulness at night," Psalm 92: 1-2 (emphasis mine)</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a slow learner. It is good- <b><i>for me</i></b>- to praise the Lord. When too much time goes by, I am lonely and empty. <b><i>Nothing</i></b> can give me what only He can- not more "me" time late into the night, not more sleep in the mornings, <b><i>nothing</i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. So why don't I learn?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Father, forgive me for forsaking our time together. I miss waking up to Your voice. I am dry and empty. And it impacts not only me, but everyone around me. Revive me, by Your Spirit. Give me self-control to get to bed on time and get up on time to meet with You. Thank You for Your grace. In Jesus' name, amen.</i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-88364514287813114962011-11-14T06:34:00.001-05:002011-11-14T07:03:05.859-05:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 91<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2091&version=NIV1984">Psalm 91</a></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"If you make the Most High your dwelling—<br /> even the LORD, who is my refuge—<br />then no harm will befall you,<br /> no disaster will come near your tent." Psalm 91: 9-10</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only way I can see to make sense of these verses, this psalm, when I see Godly people suffering what appears to be harm, disaster, tragedy is to believe that He will use even these circumstances for good. As it turns out, <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2011/08/praying-psalms-psalm-83.html">a baby very dear to us</a> continues to need a healing touch from the Lord. For the past two of his three months of life, he has been in and out of the hospital with frighteningly serious medical issues. My cousins are walking the road marked with suffering again- concern for their little one, being separated from their older two while in the hospital, severe sleep deprivation, pressures from work, and the list goes on. I have two choices: I can look at the situation and call it a disaster and wonder where God is or I can believe He is right there in the midst of it, allowing it and using for some good we cannot yet see. I choose the latter.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Father, we trust You. Amidst the pain and the exhaustion and the fear, we trust You. We put baby J in Your hands. Show Your glory, Your healing, Your power in His life. Strengthen his parents, physically and spiritually. Give us eyes to see and a heart to believe that You are working in this situation. In Jesus' name, amen.</i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-16045291259890899622011-11-08T06:55:00.004-05:002011-11-08T06:55:37.304-05:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 90<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2090&version=NIV1984">Psalm 90</a></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,<br /> that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90: 14</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many things have been put on pause as we got started on <a href="http://ourgreathomeschoolexperiment.blogspot.com/">Our Great Homeschool Experiment</a> this fall. Most of these things were necessary and wise. At least one was not. I have neglected my morning Quiet Times in favor of 30 minutes more sleep for about a month now. I know that God is gracious and compassionate and I do not feel guilty. <b>But I do feel lonely.</b> I miss Him and the daily, intimate interaction we enjoyed. I miss the peace I received when I laid my burdens down at His feet each day. So, here I am again... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, thank You for the strength to get up this morning and meet with You. Thank You for Your grace on all those days when I did not. Satisfy me in the morning with Your unfailing love, that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days! In Jesus's name, amen.</i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" /><br />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-21059936749727733942011-10-08T22:00:00.000-04:002011-10-08T22:00:51.031-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 89<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2089&version=NIV1984">Psalm 89</a></span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;<br /> love and faithfulness go before you.<br /> Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,<br /> who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD." Psalm 89:14-15</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is One who does not change. When our circumstances change. When it feels like the rug has been pulled out from under us. When we suffer (or watch loved ones suffer) under tremendous stress or pain. There is One who does not change.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Love and faithfulness go before Him. He who has started a good work will bring it to completion.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those who have <b>learned</b> to acclaim this One are blessed. No one is born with a heart for God. We must <b>learn</b> to praise Him- in times of rejoicing and in times of sorrow. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, I am watching loved ones learn how to acclaim You in times of suffering. I am praying for them as they learn to praise You in the midst of confusion and debilitating stress. I am thankful that in the midst of our suffering and confusion and stress, You never change. You remain righteous and just and loving and faithful. And ready to bless us and strengthen us as we learn to love You through our pain. Strengthen my loved ones who are reaching through the dark, through their pain for Your hand. In Jesus' name, amen. </i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-67948079571071160702011-09-26T07:04:00.003-04:002011-09-26T07:05:22.959-04:00Faithful Over a Few Things<blockquote>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">His lord said to him, ‘Well</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">done,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Matthew 25: 21</span></i></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Sunday, our dear pastor and his lovely wife and son had some much deserved R & R. A brother from the fellowship delivered the message on Sunday. He taught on the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25. It was a message I needed to hear.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since we <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2011/02/decided.html">decided</a> to homeschool, I purposed to put aside <b>all</b> my ministry roles outside of the home so that I could focus on homeschooling. For a season, I decided, I would pour <b>all</b> my gifts into my family and home. This decision was practical. It made sense. The only problem was that it just never felt right. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As wives and mothers, are our primary callings in the home? Yes! However, there are other needs (both within and outside of the Body of Christ) that each one of us may also be called to meet. I've always been convicted that we can never convince our families and neighbors of God's goodness and love if we never step back from our own (many) responsibilities as wife and mother to show them His love. I believe in stepping away to minister to others, we not only bless those who are outside our home but those inside it as well. It reminds our family- especially our children- that there are times when our own desires must be put aside for the needs of others. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God gave us our gifts to be a blessing. When we use them, it should not be a burden but a joy. The servants in this passage were entrusted with a gift from the master. When he returned to settle accounts with each, he expected that they had been not simply good stewards of the gift, protecting it from destruction. <b>He expected that each had used the gift to bear fruit. </b> It was only in those cases that the master uttered the words we all long to hear: <i>"Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."</i> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not a preacher or a prophet. I'm not an evangelist or a teacher. I do however have a gift from the Lord. He has given me the analytical and organizational skills of administration. I can take what might seem like a dry and daunting task to others and break it into small, manageable parts and bring order to a situation. I have used my gift as secretary of our church, an event coordinator for our Women's Ministry, to organize rides and other help for <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2011/09/praying-psalms-psalm-84.html">a friend in need</a>. Please know that I am not bringing glory to myself at all- <b>God has entrusted me with this <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:%2028&version=NIV1984">gift of administration</a> and I want to use it to bring glory to Him alone! </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that we are homeschooling, do I need to step back from some of these roles to pour my time and energy into this calling? Yes! Are there ways that I can still use my gift to bless others outside the home as well? Yes! God confirmed this to me in Sunday's message. There are opportunities to minister with my gift that He is bringing to me. When I know He is calling me outside the home to use my gift, I must follow. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have heard Him already. It is a little thing He asking. I want to be faithful over it. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linking up to <a href="http://www.michellederusha.com/">Michelle's</a> Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday meme:</span></div>
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<a border="0" href="http://nebraskagraceful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/mderusha/UseitonMonday.jpg" /></a></div>
Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-68483690708943802122011-09-24T07:02:00.000-04:002011-09-24T07:02:06.214-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 88<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2088&version=NIV1984">Psalm 88</a></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">This psalm opens with the following words:</span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"O LORD, the God who saves me,<br /> day and night I cry out before you.<br />May my prayer come before you;<br /> turn your ear to my cry." Psalm 88: 1-2</i> </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And ends with these: </span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You have taken my companions and loved ones from me;<br /> the darkness is my closest friend." Psalm 88: 18</span></i></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The entire psalm is an honest, heartbroken lament. A reverent "Where Are You, God?" There is no neat ending, no pious but empty praise here. Just a soul poured out before Him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I watch <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2011/09/praying-psalms-psalm-84.html">my friend </a>walk a painful road without her loved one, I am grateful for this psalm. I am grateful to know that it is ok to lament. He is big enough to hear our pain and to listen to the depth of our despair. We do not have to hide it from Him, to try to pretend that we are ok when we are most definitely not.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Father, I thank You that You are big enough to handle our pain, grief and despair. That we can cry out honestly and lay bare our souls before You. I pray, Lord, that You do as You've promised and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+34&version=NIV1984">draw near to my friend who is brokenhearted and save her now as she is surely crushed in spirit</a>. Help me to minister to her in the midst of her pain and despair. In Jesus' name, amen.</i> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-61552972386946685252011-09-22T10:18:00.001-04:002011-09-22T10:18:08.717-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 87<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2087&version=NIV1984">Psalm 87</a></span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>The LORD will write in the register of the peoples:<br /> “This one was born in Zion.” Psalm 87: 6</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feeling grateful this morning that for all my weaknesses and failures, I can know that my name is written in his register. It is recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life. Not because I deserve it. Not because of anything I have done. Simply because I was born again. <b>When I believed the Truth about who I was and who He is and how I need Him, I was born in Zion. </b>And no matter what evil I do or say, though I try each day to honor Him in word and deed, this assurance cannot be taken from me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Father, thank You. Thank You for the indescribable gift of salvation and eternal life! May I walk worthy of Your calling in my life. In Jesus' name, amen. </i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-73886756320921188092011-09-21T06:59:00.000-04:002011-09-21T06:59:16.918-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 86<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2086&version=NIV1984">Psalm 86</a></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Teach me your way, O LORD,<br /> and I will walk in your truth;<br />give me an undivided heart,<br /> that I may fear your name." Psalm 86: 11</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, to have an undivided heart! In this day and in this culture where speed and multi-tasking are the goal, I have been a full participant. My heart is often divided. My life compartmentalized into neat little boxes and divided up into a daily to do list- Quiet Time at the top of this list with its own little box to check off. Is this what I want from this life? No! I want a life that flows from an undivided heart that is staid on Him and His plan for me. But a divided, compartmentalized walk is often what I see in my life. Only He can give me an undivided heart. I cannot conjure up this level of devotion to Him on my own. It is a gift from Him, so I pray... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Father, give me an undivided heart, one that always holds You in first place. Help me to allow my life to flow from a love for You. Show me how to be a good steward of my time without planning so much in my own strength that I make no room in my life for Your plan for me. In Jesus' name, amen. </i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-88469726167200819332011-09-08T06:00:00.000-04:002011-09-08T06:00:05.970-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 85<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2085&version=NIV1984">Psalm 85</a></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Love and faithfulness meet together;<br /> righteousness and peace kiss each other.<br />Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,<br /> and righteousness looks down from heaven.<br />The LORD will indeed give what is good," Psalm 85: 10-12</i> </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On dark days like this one, when a shocked and grieving community gathers at a funeral home to comfort the family of a young husband and father whose life ended sooner than anyone might ever have imagined, I have to force myself to meditate on whatsoever is true. When friends congregate in the corners of a quiet room, eyes brimming and voices cracking to wonder aloud why God would allow this, I struggle to give a gentle defense. The truth- that God will work <i>even this</i> for the good of His children and His own glory- is not one that I can see with my human perspective. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so I rely on faith- the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen- to get through these moments. And I pray that her faith is strong enough to endure this kind of pain, that He would stick closer than a brother to her and their two boys, that the community of believers who know them would be His hands and feet. And I remember that in this fallen world <i>we will have trouble</i>. But there is a day coming in which love and faithfulness and righteousness will be restored on earth. The broken will be made whole and the old, fallen earth will be made new.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Father, this is so hard. We are all in shock. My dear friend is so very sad. She needs You now more than ever. The boys need You. I need You. Help me to be a friend, a comfort, a help to this family. Use even this tragedy to strengthen her faith. In Jesus' name, amen. </span></i><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-84724907700782603982011-09-06T06:00:00.000-04:002011-09-06T06:00:01.615-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 84<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3fa8a1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Jenny</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2084&version=NIV1984">Psalm 84</a></span></span></span></i></span></div>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Blessed are those whose strength is in you,<br /> who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.<br />As they pass through the Valley of Baca,<br /> they make it a place of springs;<br /> the autumn rains also cover it with pools.<br />They go from strength to strength,<br /> till each appears before God in Zion.<br />
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;<br /> listen to me, O God of Jacob." Psalm 84: 5-8</i></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our school community has been shocked and devastated by the sudden and unexpected loss of a husband and father. With mind and heart reeling, I am begging God to give strength to <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2010/06/never-thirst-again.html">my friend</a> as she endures this unspeakable grief and seeks to help her young boys navigate it as well. They have all endured so much as it is. I am fighting against the "why, God?" and trusting Him and His plan. I am praying for her relationship with Him that was growing through the weekly women's Bible study she and I attended together all last year. Asking him to strengthen our community to rally around this family. Will you join me in praying for this family?</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;<br /> listen to me, O God of Jacob." </div>
</i></span></blockquote>
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" /><br />
<br />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-88584391568339631832011-08-25T07:53:00.000-04:002011-08-25T07:53:10.860-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 83<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jenny</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2083&version=NIV1984">Psalm 83</a></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—<br />
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth." Psalm 83: 18</i></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We welcomed, this week, a new member into our extended family. A healthy baby boy. A joyous occasion for every family, of course. But for us, it spurred more than the usual fanfare. You see, this little one already has a <a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2011/04/praying-psalms-psalm-65.html">testimony of God's healing power</a>. One that started as he was being formed in his mother's womb. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The doctors made many frightening pronouncements over this baby in the womb- sending family members and friends to our knees in intercession for this babe. Each sonogram showed healing in one area but questions in another until my cousins bravely decided, "no more tests, we will simply trust God with this baby." </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I prayed for this little one, I often closed with the petition that He show His glory, His power, His healing in the life of this child. When I got the text early Saturday morning, that he was here and seemed completely healthy, chills covered my body and shouts of thanksgiving poured from my lips. It's five days later and many doctors and nurses have examined this baby and pronounced him healthy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God has shown that He still is the Most High over all the earth. I pray now that the miracle He worked in this baby's life will serve to bring those who heard of it- doctors, nurses, unsaved friends and family members alike- into a saving knowledge of God. And that this little one will live out the rest of his days in awe of the God who formed him in his mother's womb and brought him forth as a testimony of His power, His faithfulness, His goodness.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, thank You for this wonderful baby boy. Thank You for answering our hearts' cry for his healing. Thank You for showing Yourself mighty to those who don't know you through this circumstance. May the trials, the fear, the suffering my cousins endured as they waited for Your plan to unfold be used to encourage others and to glorify You. I pray for this baby that he will come to know you as his personal Savior at a young age and walk in the Truth all his life. And I pray for those who heard this amazing story, from the confounded medical professionals to our unsaved loved ones, that they would believe. In Jesus' name, amen.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-69238445691369770672011-08-17T06:33:00.000-04:002011-08-17T06:33:59.956-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 82<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jenny</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2082&version=NIV1984">Psalm 82</a></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;<br />
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.<br />
Rescue the weak and needy;<br />
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.<br />
They know nothing, they understand nothing.<br />
They walk about in darkness;<br />
all the foundations of the earth are shaken." Psalm 82: 3-5</i></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are times in our history when truths like these seem more obvious than ever before. <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/food_crisis_in_kenya/">While millions suffer and perish in the Horn of Africa</a>, pundits and self proclaimed experts work themselves into a frenzy over our economic woes. One has to <b>search out</b> a news story on one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history but <b>cannot escape</b> the constant panic over the stock market plunges. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Yes, Lord, we know nothing. Our rulers and judges understand nothing. We are walking about in darkness while the foundations of the earth are shaken. I look forward to Your return when all the wrongs will be righted and this earth and everyone in it will receive Your righteous judgement and Your indescribable mercy. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! In Your name I pray, amen.</i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-53127819555511349292011-08-15T19:05:00.000-04:002011-08-15T19:05:08.611-04:00Multitude Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /> </a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some of the things I was thankful for this week:</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1351. A week-long wild celebration of God's unconditional love at Panda Mania VBS</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1352. A beautiful VBS Finale presentation</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1353. The privilege to serve at VBS</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1354. Serving alongside joyful servants of God whom I call friends</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1355. The opportunities my children have to learn about God and His Truth in a safe, appropriate and even fun way!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1356. Seeing the boys happily lend a helping hand when breaking down VBS</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1357. An afternoon and evening spent at a local amusement park with family</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1358. Our admission and dinner- all a treat by my dad</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1359. All of us sleeping in on Saturday morning</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1360. Serving together as a family to help friends move</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1361. A peaceful Sunday afternoon spent with family after a wonderful yet busy week</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1362. Remembering my mother-in-law through pictures and stories on the anniversary of her passing</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1363. A day to plan and prep for <a href="http://ourgreathomeschoolexperiment.blogspot.com/">our great homeschool experiment</a></span><br />
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</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-size: small; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">You can read why I got started counting the gifts </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://onethingspokentwothingsheard.blogspot.com/2010/01/1000-gifts.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">here</a>.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />
<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-32033563074211517022011-08-11T06:49:00.000-04:002011-08-11T06:49:38.878-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 81<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jenny</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2081&version=NIV1984">Psalm 81</a></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Sing for joy to God our strength;<br />
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!<br />
Begin the music, strike the tambourine,<br />
play the melodious harp and lyre.<br />
Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,<br />
and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast;<br />
this is a decree for Israel,<br />
an ordinance of the God of Jacob." Psalm 81: 1-4</i></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I love how joyful singing and shouting to God is a decree and an ordinance. I have been serving as the worship leader at VBS this week at our church and boy, have we been doing lots of singing and dancing and shouting aloud to the Lord! To see a sanctuary full of children, youth and adults all letting go of inhibitions and social norms to lift high the name of Jesus together just fills the heart to overflowing. It doesn't seem fair that I signed up to serve because I wanted to be used to bless the kids but He has seen fit to bless me so completely too as I serve. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Lord, thank You for the privilege of serving at VBS. It is a joy to live out Psalm 81 with the children- to bring you praise and honor with our singing, dancing, music and shouting. Go before us the rest of this week as we continue to bring Your Good News to these precious little souls. In Jesus' name, amen.</i></span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833714148683674584.post-88175955164707829482011-08-10T06:57:00.000-04:002011-08-10T06:57:21.915-04:00Praying the Psalms- Psalm 80<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jenny</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jennysminute.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookmark-or-share.html" style="color: #3fa8a1; text-decoration: none;">Praying the Psalms</a></span></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #502e1c; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2080&version=NIV1984">Psalm 80</a></span></div></div><br />
<blockquote><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"Then we will not turn away from you;<br />
revive us, and we will call on your name.</i></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;<br />
make your face shine upon us,<br />
that we may be saved." Psalm 80: 18-19</i></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The summer, with all it days packed with outdoor fun that stretch into later bedtimes, is a time when I often struggle to stay spiritually awake. I am often so tired in the mornings that I hit snooze one too many times and sleep my Quiet Time away. Days turns into weeks and before I know it I have not sat before the Lord into too long. My soul runs dry. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, I purpose to get up early each morning and meet with Him. My prayers echo the psalmist from those thousands of years ago. Revive me, Lord, restore me. Sometimes the Enemy succeeds in getting me to swallow the lie that He is tired of my faithlessness and of this pattern in my walk. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4:4&version=NKJV">But He who is in me in greater than He who is in the world. </a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And He reminds me of His GRACE and no matter that I am faithless, He is faithful. His grace and His faithfulness cover all my weakness and sin.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Father, thank You for Your grace, Your faithfulness and Your long-suffering toward me. Revive me and restore the intimacy of our relationship and my joy in You. In Jesus' name, amen.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/nattyloo_2007/sig.png" />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02568583187756261273noreply@blogger.com1