Pray-ers Needed...

I could tell you what all is happening - but our daughter says it well on her blog. Could you go and visit here... and let her know of your prayers.

Thanks so much!
You all are blessings to me!

Tuesdays Together (#21)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.


This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Psalm 46-49; Philippians 1-4; and Colossians 1.

It was really hard to decide which passage I wanted to share with you this week. But I kept coming back to this one... and for a reason:

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always;

again I will say, Rejoice.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

The Lord is at hand;

do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God,

which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.

We begin here with the command to Rejoice in the Lord...

And then verse 6 is a very familiar verse for us all: "Do NOT be anxious about anything," I really think a key word here is ANYTHING. We are not to be anxious about anything. You fill in the blank. Your anything... don't be anxious about it. Period.

Then as we move on in the passage, we see the how - to. We are to pray and with THANKSGIVING give our requests to our God. And the result of doing so? THE PEACE OF GOD - which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

There are many things in our world that can make us anxious. Just watch the news - for a few minutes. There is the crime in our own particular state or county or city. There are new threats from Korea. Then there are those of us who have soldiers currently serving... news daily about Iraq or Iran or Afghanistan or Pakistan. And what about the economy? Could you be anxious about that? Your IRA (or lack thereof?). The recession that could easily become a depression. Jobs or no jobs? Children who may be making wrong decisions. And the list could go on and on and on. That is what is meant by anything. We are not to be anxious about ANYTHING.

A time to take it to the alter and leave it there - with thanksgiving - I remind you. And see what our anxious thoughts are replaced with... PEACE. Peace. Real peace.

I needed this passage this week. I am writing this on Monday night. Memorial Day. I needed it today. It was a good day. A good lunch. And then taking Aubrey for her first swim of the season. Such fun. Hal and I got flowers planted... :) And even had our Monday evening "Starbucks" time.

But my heart was heavy. You see last year on Memorial day, we were at the lake with our family rejoicing that Jonathan was at home from war. Such a sweet memory. This year the dull ache is back. And I must say it is too soon for me. Today that is my "anything".

So, I needed this passage... I must take my anxious thoughts... straight to my Father. And leave it there.... with thanksgiving. And let Him wrap me up with His Peace. Oh, God, I want Your peace to guard my heart and my mind. Peace...


Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Tuesdays Together (#20)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from I Thessalonians 4-5; Psalms 4-5; Proverbs 11; and II Thessalonians 1-3.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

When our children were little, we would have a "theme" verse (or passage) for each summer. Of course it would be put to memory... but also we would refer back to it for reference/ encouragement/ meditation together. This was the passage one year.

I would ask, " Are you being joyful?". "Have you prayed about that?" "Is that a thankful attitude?" You get my point. And I felt good that I was really teaching the children to apply scripture to their lives.

It took on new meaning a few years later.

You see, the first year of homeschooling was terrifying to me. I felt so inadequate. I had no support group. I did not know ANYONE who had traveled this road. And I nearly killed us all.

But I remember one day, walking down the road behind our house praying about MY attitude and my fears and wondering if there was ANY way that this could possibly be God's will for our lives.

I would tell you that I was crying, but that would not be accurate. I was sobbing. Uncontrollably.

And God reminded me of this passage that had been our "theme passage" a couple of years previous.

And in the still small voice that spoke so loudly... I was reminded that it was God's will for me to be thankful in all things. I may not know other things about God's will for me, for my children, for our family, for our schooling. But this one truth was written for me in black and white.

"in EVERYthing give thanks, for this IS THE WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus concerning you."

I had not been thankful for this opportunity to teach my children. I had been focusing on the fears, the work, the change...

So, what did I do? I began each day (for weeks) praying this prayer...
"Dear Lord, by choice of my will, I choose to thank you for this opportunity to teach my children. And I trust you to change my emotions." And literally it tooks a few weeks, for the emotions to begin changing... but as I was obedient in being thankful ... I began to view the role as a wonderful opportunity rather than a dreaded responsibility. God changed my heart. But I had to begin by being obedient and choosing to thank Him.

I learned a big lesson that year. Not only about our homeschooling experience...but also about God's will in my life. And even when I have questions.... I can know one thing... I am to be thankful. And as I told my children numerous time in their lives... Obedience always brings blessings.

So, can you apply this to any area of your life? Maybe have questions about what is or is not God's will? One thing I hope you will remember... it IS God' will for you to thank Him. This my friend is written in black and white.

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Speechless...Wordless...

Jon loaded the bus this morning...

Hal has a short blog here...

Jen has a pic here...
(if you click on her picture - it enlarges - and you can get a small glimpse of the emotion... )

We all HAD it...

We all HAVE it...

Overflowing...

I will try to express more later.

Tuesdays Together (#19)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Galatians 4,5 and 6; Psalm 42-43; and I Thessalonians 1,2,3.

Here is the main passage that I want to share with you today:

Galatians 6:2
"Bear one another's burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ."

I just want to take this time to tell you all thank you so much for bearing my burden with me during these heavy days. Many of you - my internet chums (I picked up that term from Lynnette) have prayed, and emailed, and messaged on FB. And it has really meant so much to me.


Then those of you who I know in the flesh :) - have hugged, cried, prayed, emailed, and messaged on FB. And it all has meant so much to me also.

So today, as we travel to visit with our Son and Daughter-in-love...

and then as we watch him load his bus on Wednesday...

We will wave. We will cry. We will wave our flags. We will blow kisses. We will take pictures. We will watch as long as we can see the bus travel down the road with our arms waving...

Then we will get in our cars and drive home. A long quiet drive home...

I know already that you will be praying. Today and tomorrow. Bearing my burden. All I can say is thank you. As you help bear my burden ... you are fulfilling the law of Christ. You are loving your neighbor (or friend - or blogging bud) as you love yourself. You are trying to put yourself in my shoes... and praying for me.

I need it ... and I feel it. Your words/comments bless me and wrap the Love of Christ around me! Thank you so much!

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.

Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

P.S. Hal has posted a blog about departure too. You too can help bear his burden. Visit with him here... and maybe leave him a comment too. Thanks!

Mother's Day Meme

Angie at The Knightly News is hosting this meme for Mother's day...

Since it is such a busy weekend - I want to share with you about my MOM from my post last year... and then see pics and updates on her Cancer from earlier this year here.

I hope that the other moms that read will join in ... link to Angie's blog so we can all visit together during this next week.

Being a mom is a high calling. I am blessed to have a Godly Mom... and I am blessed to be a Mom.

Look forward to visiting with you all!
Sweet Blessings...

A Baby and A Warrior...

Emotional. That is the only way to describe me today.

I just finished rocking and feeding my 2 month old grandson.

But my mind and heart was in Cleburne, Texas. 27 years ago. Rocking and feeding my 3 month old son.

It really was just yesterday.

This morning my son left to start the preparations for deployment. He has 3 Days at Drill. Then gets to come home for Mother's Day. Then a few days at his Unit before leaving state. One month (or so) before the flight overseas. My heart aches.

Oh, I have been here before in this particular mixture of emotions. (You can see my previous post on the last deployment here.) On one hand.... I am SO proud of him. For his willingness to serve our country. I am so thankful for what God has done in his life and what he has been brought THROUGH. But I am reminded of the saying, "Freedom isn't Free."

Then on the other hand, I am so sad for him to leave. Like I said last time... a year is short on the other side of it. But when you are facing a year knowing that your son is going to war... it is a long time.

Oh, you all know me. My faith is still strong. I know he is in God's hands. I believe I previously worded it this way: Times like this make me believe what I say I believe.

But I don't even have to tell you that my emotions are weak. And once again, the blackberry is glued to my hand.

So, I come back to the present in the mix of emotions and praying... back and forth between these two... a son facing war... and a grandson facing life.

I pray constantly for the son and his precious wife and all that this next year will hold for them.

I pray for the little one in my arms today. Where will he be in 27 years? What will he be doing?
Only God knows... but one thing I do know for certain...

It will be here tomorrow.

Tuesdays Together (#18)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.


Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from 2Peter 3, Psalms 39-41, Proverbs 10, Galatians 1-3

In the midst of this week, with all that it held for our family... I was able to talk. Just not normal. And it was an effort to talk. So, I thought about what I wanted to say before I said it. Since it was such work.... I intentionally made the words count. Does that make any sense at all?

And I have to admit - that many times I did not say anything, just because it was not easy. Which means that I also had a lot more time to think - even in the midst of an extremely busy weekend. An extremely emotional weekend. More about that later.

Here is the passage I share with you today:

Psalm 39: 4-5

O LORD, make me know my end

and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting I am!

Behold, you have made my days

a few handbreadths,

and my lifetime is as nothing before you.

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!

So, during my quiet moments... whether in a crowd or not. I have been thinking about my life. My days. I am 50 years old. Life is fleeting... a few handbreaths. I want my life to count for the Lord. What is the measure of my days?

This goes along with my previous post about pruning. I want to be pruned. Because the end result of pruning, is more fruit is produced. There are many things that can really consume my time and energy that will keep me from doing the "best" things. Many things can keep me from becoming all that God wants me to be. Many things will keep me from doing all that God wants me to do. I am seeking to be sensitive to the Spirit as He speaks to me about each area.

I have edited this post several times to take out the "our" and the "we". This is about me. If it applies to you... you will have to make the application.

Do I dare even try to list a few? This is not to say that any of these things are bad... just that they have the potential of pulling me away from the best. (I almost said "us")

Computer time...Television... Books...Friends... and the list could go on... but you get the idea.

If I truly want to be mindful of my days, and how fleeting they are... I need to examine how EACH day is spent. I need to evaluate. I need to prioritize. I need to pray.

And I intend to...

Once again I say... "Speak Lord, for your servant listens!"

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.

Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Quiet...

My voice problem --Update -- Better but not well yet.

What a precious time sitting at HIS feet on Wednesday. Really desiring to listen. Hearing the still small voice of My Savior speaking directly to me.

As I sat back in my chair, praying... I even said, "Do I dare ask You to keep my voice till I hear what You are saying to me?" Or maybe I should say, "Lord, help me to hear you, even when I can speak!" Regardless, the prayer of my heart is to hear Him. Really Hear Him.

And then to follow...where He leads...

I have been reading "The Secrets of the Vine" again. And to be perfectly honest, I truly believe this is a time of pruning for me. For Hal. For our ministry together.

I do not have all my thoughts clear on this subject yet. But I know that God is dealing with me about several different issues here.

I am sure that I will share more in the days to come about this journey.

So... what are you dealing with lately? Anyone care to share?