Don't have a title for this one.

I love worshiping God in church.  I love singing songs of worship to him, it's one of the ways that draws me near to him.  I also love being in nature and worshiping God on a good hike.  I love sitting on the sofa with my bible in hand when a scripture jumps out at me and stirs in my heart.  These are times of worship for me.

This morning I was reading John 4, about the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus talked with her about living water, he talked with her about her life.  The Samaritans followed their own traditions rather than the Word of God.  Jesus said to her, "But the hour is coming and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."  So if the hour was here for this Samaritan woman it is certainly here for us.  What does this mean?  I am not a bible scholar but I do know this.  He wants you - just you - to come to come to him, to worship him, with all your heart.

I was imagining what this woman at the well must have felt.  After the above words she said to Jesus, "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ.) When he comes, he will tell us all things.'"  Jesus said to her, "I am who speak to you am he." I feel like I would have broke down in tears.  Now she could understand worship.  The one to worship was standing right there next to her.  And you know what?  She didn't feel condemned either by Jesus.  He knew the sin in her life but he just loved on her.  That is what he does for you and me.  Blows my mind!

Last week we were at a family reunion.  About 60 of us gathered together for fellowship, games and devotions.  If your that family reading this, I love you all.  I want to share the following clip with all of you.  This is my father in law.  One of the most humble and gentle men I have ever known in my life.  A man of God, a sinner, a retired pastor, a father and a great grandfather.  This was his time of closing for the reunion.  May you be blessed.

Keep those promises alive!

It has just been way too long since I blogged.  I've been missing my quiet time in the word lately in the mornings.  Something that had become such a part of my morning coffee for years now has started to slip.  Time to get back into the rhythm.  I love this about mistakes - we don't have to beat ourselves up about them, we just have to turn around and start over again.

Lately I have been feeling really discouraged.  Looking at the life situation around and allowing every doubt or fear from the enemy to slip in.  Sometimes we need someone from the outside looking in to speak a word that helps you put things back in to perspective.  As church had ended on Sunday, the pastor shared just a few words that I so needed to hear.  He had been in a similar situation as us before so he understood.  He reminded me/us to just - "enjoy the ride, it may feel like you are free falling, but God knows where you will land.  He is laying the foundation."  Seemed to be just what I needed.  When you are "inside" a challenge it makes it harder to see the whole picture. 

Then tonight someone had a facebook post that read, "Never ever let the words of men, steal the promises of God."  How often don't we do that?  We are walking along confident that God is leading us then - bam - somebody shuts it down, throws into question the path you are on, the job you have, the move you made and you begin to doubt that God lead you in the first place.  Makes me think of Adam and Eve in the garden.  "Did God really say?"  Satan putting the question out there.  The promises of God - LET'S KEEP THEM LIVING IN OUR LIFE.

Today I was blessed to bring a lunch meal to the volunteer workers who are working on the home for The Daughter Project.  An organization that I am volunteering with.  They are building and operating a recovery home for adolescent girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking.  I was blessed to bring them a lunch - those guys working out in this unbearable heat, giving freely of their time to build a home, a place of healing for these girls.  The many volunteers who will still give of their time blows my mind.  It is a rather emotional work site to be at.  And those promises of God - may those girls be filled to overflowing with the promise that God loves them so much and that he does and will heal their wounds.  He will heal yours too.  Just ask him!

His love is marvelous.  The following song (a demo) was written by my son (in law).  He is working on a worship CD.  Copy and paste the following link into your internet browser.  Close your eyes, listen, and meditate on the one who loves you more than you can begin to imagine. 

http://www.facebook.com/lagodmusic?sk=app_178091127385

Siblings and Heaven

So this past weekend I drove for 24 hours in 4 days.  All by myself - my niece was getting married in Omaha and we were unable to attend until a few days before I got this feeling that I really needed to get there, somehow.  Knowing that my husband and daughter both needed both of our cars I called around for a rental and a few hours later I was on the road to my brothers house, then the next day to finish the drive to Omaha.  I was so happy that I went - all 6 of us siblings were together for the weekend.  It was such a blessing.  We are all so different and some of us don't know each other that well since we haven't had much time together in the last decade.  We had time to talk and share life and relationships are growing.  I will say this - we are so nice to each other and we treat each other with respect.  I hope my siblings don't mind that I put this picture on my blog but it's just too great not to share.  My sister sent it to me and when I looked at it I cried.  I love them all so much.  Isn't God just so great?!!  I can't wait for the next time when all the in-laws are there and we can have a picture with all of our spouses too.  They are my sisters and brothers too and I just love all of them.

You know, life is short and we never know when God will bring us home to be with him.  So I treasure my family - right now.  In a blink life here on earth can be done.  I heard the most beautiful analogy last week.  Think of what it feels like when you get home after a long vacation or trip.  You walk in the door and just breathe a sign of relief or you lay down in your own bed and just breathe that sign of relief.  I usually say "wow, it feels so good to be in my own bed and to be home."  Now think of this - when we get to heaven I think we will just breathe that sign of relief, that feeling of peace and rest will overtake us.  That thought makes death seem so much more peaceful.  We will at last be really home.

So for now, as long as I live on this earth, I want to live my life to bring glory to God.  I want to love my family and tell others about Jesus.  Relationships are what will matter in the end.  It won't matter the money we made but the relationships we had, the love we shared and most importantly - Jesus my Savior!!!

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

How about some encouragement!!!

This morning in church we were asked to look at the person next to us (which is usually your family) and tell them what you are thankful for about them.  It was actually really neat to look at the person in the eyes and speak truth to them.  I happen to be in the middle of my husband and my daughter.  I looked at my daughter and told her I was thankful for her testimony of God's faithfulness, to which I then turned to my husband who looked at me with a few tears in his eyes and told me; "I am thankful that you are walking this life with me, you are so brave."  Being the woman that I am, I too shed tears, partly because of his words to me and partly because I don't feel very brave.

I have a dear friend who began going through some tough medical issues about the same time we began this unknown leap of faith we are on.  I have found that many times we have called each other, or chatted on facebook, at times when each of us needed it.  Maybe she was scared and God had given me the peace I needed that day to help her.  On rough days for me she ended up being there to encourage me.  I would be blown away that she could lift me up when she was facing upcoming surgery.  Encouragement!  Isn't it just the best?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Don't you find yourself drawn to people that just care about you or your situation without passing judgment?  There is an older couple at the church we have been going to that do just that.  We have talked maybe 4 times, they have prayed with us 3 of those times, prayed for open doors, provision and much more.  This morning we talked to them for a while and he said, "God has really had you guys on my heart this week, I would like your address so that I could send you some support."  I knew the love in his heart when his eyes filled with tears as he looked at us.  I feel drawn to people like this.  They have been such an encouragement to us and I will always be thankful for them. 

Lord, may we all be encouraging to those around us, to our family and friends and those we meet along the way.  Help us not to pass judgment on them, but to love them as they are, sons and daughters of the Almighty God.

Do you know Jesus?  He knows you by name.  He died for you and rose again to give you eternal life.  He is the son of God, your Savior!!!  He is the only way to heaven.  Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  It's as simple as that.

What are your plans?

"There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death."  Proverbs 14:12

I have learned this in many ways the hard way.  I have come to the point in my life when I don't want to plan out what my future should look like.  I have learned that it actually is a waste of valuable time.  If I took off running with a direction in my life that looks good to me it would fail miserably.  God already has a place for us - God already has our next steps prepared - God already knows what is best for me.  As soon as I begin to plan things out and try to take control is when anxiety begins to creap in. 

There is another Proverb that says "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's will that will prevail."  This brings comfort to me.  So I will continue to bring my prayers to him.  I will continue to seek his will.  Our youngest daughter is registered for her first semester of college classes for the fall.  She will live at home.  I am excited for her and it leaves me also with "God please keep us living here" feeling.  Those are my thoughts, those are my feelings, but that's all that they are - thoughts and feelings.

I can tell that my husband needs to preach.  I believe that he has been annointed for this.  So I will continue to pray for him.  Right now he is working a job at Cherry Street Missions Ministry in Toledo.  It has been a hard transition for him as it is an area of ministry that is completely different for him.  Working with the homeless, the drug addicts...etc.  This is where God has him now and I believe that he will grow in ways that will blow him away.  And when God opens up the next door - well I think that will just be fun.

Are you waiting on some life plans?  Are you wondering what might be next for you?  Wondering about a decision you have to make?  Keep praying and rest in his hands.  Just rest there.  And when you have those moments, those days when you've taken it back on yourself, give yourself some grace - and bring it back to him.  He is already holding it.

Please pray for a clear direction for us.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated.  

Don't lose heart

Sometimes I pray so long for clarity, for an answer, for a direction and when I don't feel that I am hearing from God I begin to wonder.  Not that he heard me, but if he will answer me, or how long will I have to wait.  This morning I read Luke 18 "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."  I needed to read this today.  Not lose heart.  He told the parable of the persistent widow who kept coming and kept coming with her request to the judge.  He finally gave her justice so she would stop bothering him.  Jesus said "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?  Will he delay long over them?  I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.  Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

I am reminded to just keep on coming with my prayers.  Have faith that he hears me and will act.  I can be persistent with my prayers.  I am reminded of the scripture that says "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you."  I can easily be seeking what I need in this life and forget to seek Jesus, my friend and my companion.  Just to be with him.  I am sitting here this morning and looking around outside at all the beautiful trees around my house.  So high, so deep green from the rain.  I hear the birds singing together, and once in a while I hear the sound of the Mourning Dove.  A choir of birds singing for the Lord.  Then I hear the sound of the cricket and once in a while a car drives by.  A cool breeze with some humidity is blowing.  I can't help but think about how God has all of this under his care.  It is all his creation and I matter more than all of it.  I am just a speck in this great big world but I matter to our heavenly Father.  He loves little ole me.  Hard to even get my hands around such a thought sometimes.

So today, remember to keep praying.  He hears you, he has not forgotten you.  He loves you.  Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus.

Italian night

Last week my daughter told me about a website to go to where I could get $25 gift cards to some area restaurants for only $2.  Wow, so cheap, so I bought a bunch of them.  $250 worth for only $30.  Awesome right - until I found the details.  Dumb me got them so fast I didn't even take time to read the details.  With minimum purchase of $35 or $45 - and on top of it The Melting Pot is a minimum of $75 per couple to eat there anyway.  What a waste.  We felt like eating Italian last night and started looking online for area Italian restaurants only to find that to order simple spaghetti it was $15.99 a plate.  I then suggested we have our own romantic italian dinner at home, in our sunroom, with candles and music.  So, off Tim went to Kroger for a bottle of wine while I prepared homemade spaghetti sauce.  We were home alone, so that topped it off.  Found a nice Italian music station on Pandora, and the weather was perfect.  Amazing meal, glass of wine and even a little dancing.  So much better than eating out and feeling guilty for spending $40 bucks.  My spaghetti was way better anyway.

This morning I woke up to children playing in another yard.  At first I was bummed it woke me up until I saw that it was 10:00.  I NEVER sleep that late.  I think I had some serious sleep to catch up on.

Last night we prayed and asked God to open the doors soon so we know where to step next.  Plus I let God know that I am tired of thinking about all the "what if we..." and "maybe we should..." or "let's just go to..."  After a while we can just tire of all those thoughts and a clear direction would be awesome.  Yes, in God's time - we feel ready for some clarity.  I wonder what God thinks!!!  But in the meantime - God is amazing!  The peace I feel is incredible.  He does know the plans he has for us and I cannot forget that - ever!!  Anything other than that is a lie and I will remember the truth.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.