Consider the ravens: 
Here is the update on the teen girl...
K has been diagnosed with Polyarteritis nodosa. Basically, it is an infection or inflammation of the small or medium arteries in the body that results in weakening and damage to the arteries involved. Often, clotting occurs in addition to the bleeding.
We should continue to pray for wisdom for the medical team and give praise to God for revealing the condition so quickly to the physicians. This quick diagnosis (although I am sure it has not been quick for the family) will allow appropriate treatment to begin immediately.
Thank you so much for your prayers... and please continue to pray... She has been moved out of ICU to the step-down unit. Hopefully, tomorrow will be in a room.
Still a very sick young lady and still a very serious condition.
Your concern, prayers and emails have blessed me and I will be passing them on to the family.
Prayer Warriors needed...
A young teen girl from our church needs your prayers today. Seriously.
I will update when I can.
Thanks so much!
You Never Know How God Will Use You Until You Let Him
This week we studied chapter 4.
And once again I have a quote from Lysa to share with you:
(pg 70) "I am a woman on a journey of learning how to make sure my reactions don't deny Christ's presence in me. I am a woman who says yes to God not because my emotions and reactions are always perfect. No, I say yes to God because He is perfectly able to forgive me, love me, remind me, challenge me, and show me how to weather trials in ways that prove His Spirit resides in me. I remind myself often that people don't care to meet my Jesus until they meet the reality of Jesus in my life."
Anyone who has ever been in one of my classes for any length of time has heard me say that I really believe that the World is looking (longing) to see that Jesus makes a difference. A difference in our lives, in our homes, in our relationships, in our attitudes, in our dress, in our choices. "...the reality of Jesus in my life."
So, we say Yes. Not on our own strength... (Ps 84:5) Blessed are those whose strength is in YOU. We take HIS hand... and we choose to obey. Obey the whatever that HE is calling us to do. What is He speaking to you about? What is He compelling you to do? To obey?
So, we say Yes. No Matter What. Just like Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego. We know our God is able to deliver... to save... to heal... to mend... to "whatever". BUT IF NOT, I will still serve Him, BUT IF NOT, I will still Praise Him. (Ps 84:4) Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing YOUR praise.
How will God use you? How will God use me?
OH, that the world around us may truly see the reality of Jesus in our lives....
as we say YES, GOD...
And we have just recently found out that it is a boy...
Here are the results from my first survey.
What says "I love you" to you? Your top three needs...
69 % --Communication (Talk to me)
65 % --Acts of Service (Help me PLEASE!)
48 % --Physical Touch (Hold me)
43 % --Sincere Praise (Words of Affirmation)
35 % --Security
7 % --Gifts
4 % --Quality Time
I am not sure that the quality time is accurate since I forgot to add it to the list... and then had to ask you to respond by comment if that was one of your top three. Since many come and read, but do not comment - this may have been a higher percentage if I had originally added it to my list. (Sorry)
Regardless, I am a little surprised by a couple of these... and not so surprised by others.
With all of the counseling that we have done over the years - it is no surprise that Communication is on the top. So often that is the first thing the wife will say. She needs her husband to talk to her ... and then to LISTEN. Communication. So vital to a relationship.
Then look at this comment... "It is interesting how few are motivated by gifts - or they are just not being truthful. A tiny little (I was just thinking about you today) gift tells me so much." I personally knew this would not be the top one, but I am really surprised that it is so much lower than all of the others.
Another cute comment ... one who said that quality time was her top need... said, "acts of service is for the birds." LOL.
I must respond to that one - since this is very high on my list - It means sooooooooo much to me for my husband to help me. And he knows it. :)
Which leads me to the next thought - it is so very important that your husband knows. And that brings us back to the top on our list - COMMUNICATION. So tell him, wives. It will be good for you both. Plan a date and talk about your needs - both of you. (Then go see the movie)
Interesting stuff...
Thank you all for responding. I am adding these results to my notes for the Marriage/Parenting Seminar that we are preparing.
And I will have another survey posted soon... but just do not have it ready yet. Life really is too busy, isn't it?
We went to see this movie this past weekend. We both highly recommend that you go see it. I am not one who buys very many dvd's but this one is on my list to purchase as soon as it comes out.
If you have already seen it too - leave a comment and let me know what you think about it.
Go to http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/ for more information.
Oh, and by the way...I will be posting about the first poll results tomorrow. And I am working on the next poll. Thanks to all of you who responded.
When Obedience Becomes Radical
So, after teaching this chapter 3 times (remember we have a Sunday night class, a Wednesday Lunch time class, and a Wednesday Evening Class)... I just wanted to share a couple of things that jumped out to me. (and others in the classes)
First, this quote by Lysa (TerKeurst) on page 45, "We need not fear what obedience will cause to happen in our life. We should only fear what our disobedience will cause us to miss."
So, the question to me and to you....
What is the area in our lives that God wants radical obedience? What is keeping you/me/us from doing so? Fear? That was the common answer from my sweet ladies. (the other was lack of discipline - ouch!)
Secondly, look at this passage of scripture. Let it sink in. Read it. Digest it. Meditate on it...
Isaiah 41:13, "For I, the Lord your God hold your right hand. It is I who says to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you."
He calls us to RADICAL OBEDIENCE - but He... the I AM that I AM is the one who is holding our hand and helping us.
That is awesome.
I am basking in this for a while. Seriously.
P.S. - Make sure you participate in my poll for wives on the right side bar - if you have not already. Thanks-sweet friends :)
"...and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. "
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