Praying and Fasting....

Each year as the New Year begins I spend time reflecting in God's word and contemplating what the New Year will bring. Last year I completed a 21 day fast with my church. My church does the Daniel diet which is quite challenging. At some point I am sure I will attempt this diet, but with my little ones it is very hard to change our diet for 21 days without changing theirs. So I spent a few days pondering what I will fast...........Then I filled out my fast contract.


Of course this is just the beginning. As the year has drawn to an end I have been left with many things to ponder. I don't know where God is leading me. I don't know the purpose of this season. I know that God is with me, and I can see that he was with me throughout this past year. I also believe with all my heart that he will be with me as I move into the next year. In my heart I know that God is always calling. There is a work to be done and his purpose and plan is for his church to complete that work. I believe that we are the church, the body of Chirst. And if we are the body why aren't his hands reaching? What am I reaching for? What should I be reaching for?

I also ponder my purpose as a parent. Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; my purpose in leading my children? Where will I lead them? How will I lead them? My life is but a blink of an eye, but each choice and decision I make will effect them because our lives are intertwined. I also know that so many of us spend our adult lives blaming our parents for the choices they made that we feel emotionally traumatized by. In my morning devotion I found this reading which is quite interesting:

"A Great Prayer For Your Children

We need to pray for our children. For many years, my wife has prayed a prayer from scripture for our three sons. Here are some ideas for you to try:
* Pray that they will increase in the knowledge of God. Most parents' greatest hope for their children is that they will be happy, but a fulfilled life comes from knowing God. Without God, there is a nagging emptiness. Lots of people know about God, but knowing Him personally is different. We all know a lot about our nation's president but only a few know him personally.
* Pray that they live a worthy life. Pray that their lives have an impact for good, and that they will be people of trustworthy character.
* Pray that they're strengthened in God's power. The world and evil influences will seek to pull our children down. They need God's power to be strong, resist temptation, and do the right thing.
* And, thank God for each child. They are unique creations of God.

We all need to pray for our children. I hope these thoughts help."

I think that these prayers are definitely something to reflect on as I move into the New Year. What will you be reflecting on? How are you going into the New Year and how will you be growing?

Whatever it brings I know that this year will bring me closer to my Lord and Savior...............

Jars of Clay Faith Like a Child

Dear God,
Sorround me as I speak
The brigdes that I walk across are weak
Frustations fill the void that I can't solely bear
Dear God,
Don't let me fall apart
You've held me close to You
I have turned away and searched for answers I can't understand

They say that I can move the mountains
And they send them falling to the sea
They say that I can walk on water if I would follow and believe
with faith like a child

Sometimes
When I feel miles away
and my eyes can't see You face
I wonder if i've grown to loose my recklesness
I walk in light of You

They say that I can move the mountains
And they send them falling to the sea
They say that I can walk on water if I would follow and believe
with faith like a child

(Children Saying)

Be kind unto others
Call Jesus Christ Your Savior

They say that I can move the
mountains
And send them crashing to the sea
They say that I can walk on water
If I would follow and believe
with Faith Like a Child

They say that love can
heal the broken
They say that hope can
make you see
They say that faith can find
a Savior
If you would follow and believe
With Faith Like a Child

Support me or stand in the way?

With the new year just around the bend I find myself doing what so many others do.......I contemplate my life. I look at the year past. All my mistakes, all the joy, and all the pain laid out to reflect upon. As I reflect I often find myself drawn to bible verses like the one below.....

1Cornintians 3But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.


I realize that I long for control in my life. I do not thrive on the instability that this year has brought. I am troubled often by the unknown, and my fears. I want to trust God and seek him even in my doubts. I often feel alone in my fears and doubts. Is it just me? Do other Christians struggle with this? Of course I know that I'm not alone, and have never been alone. God is with me even in my fears, and sometimes we need to let go. Luke 1: 37 For with God nothing is impossible

I have to remember to surrender my life to his control. I also have to realize that I cannot control those around me, and that it is sinful of me to try. Craig Groeschel preached an amazing sermon called Those People this year. In this sermon he talked about how we can surrender the direction of our lives to someone besides God. As a wife I think this is an area I must pay careful attention to. I have to ask myself a simple question. Am I supporting my husband, or am I standing in the way?

You see we all have our ideas of how our marriage, lifestyle, and parenting should go. However, I see a common thread in so many marriages. When trials and struggles set in instead of turning to God we panic. There is a saying that goes something like when the mom's not happy nobody's happy. I think in many cases as a wife we can insert ourselves in a manipulative way between our spouse and God. I believe that most of us do it out of love, but it brings heartache to both our spouse and our marriage. Your spouse cannot surrender the control of his life to you, and you shouldn't ask them to. It is not your right to be in control.
Ephesians 5:23For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

In recent years I have attended a few weddings where the vows have been changed. In fact I read an article where one church was omitting the word obey from vows because they felt that today's women were equal to their husbands and it was just to old fashioned. God is not old fashioned. He sees and understands everything. He created marriage. It is his plan for men and women. He created specific roles for both men and women in marriage. Those traditional vows are based on the word of God. Isn't it interesting in today's culture how so many people feel they can pick and choose what parts of the bible to believe. (There's another great sermon on this that you should watch from the Carols series) The bible is clear though, the husband is the spiritual leader not his wife. God created marriage to be something Great. So often we confuse our roles in marriage and settle for something good. This was not God's plan for you or your marriage. If I forget who I am in my marriage I will find myself no longer supporting my husband, but standing feet firmly planted in his way. Just look at this verse from Titus:Titus 2:5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. I wonder why this verse is not read more often. An interesting message for wives, but probably considered too old fashioned for the times, don't you think?

Most of all as I look at my life and my marriage I am struck by a verse from Romans. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Who am I to try to choose a direction for my marriage or my life? Who am I to think that I have answers to any questions? Who are you? Just because I fall short does not mean that God doesn't want me, but it does mean that I need God. Without God I am nothing. I am the sand in the desert. A drop of water in the ocean. Without God we are lost, and it is only when we find God that we find life. God is life everlasting. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the light in the darkness. He is your shield against suffering. He is in control. He is........

Matthew 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Why?

It's funny as I look around at the Christmas decorations, the presents, and all the holiday stuff. Sure I love the Christmas tree, I love the presents, and I love egg nog. However, I do hate taking down the tree, putting up the tree, wrapping all those gifts, standing in line at the post office, and the chaos of Christmas.

For those people who decorate without knowing why, I just don't understand why they bother. What do the lights represent for them? If not the light of Christ in our world why take the time to put them up? What is a tree, and why decorate it? Unless you are remembering that he gave his life on a tree for all of man kind. How about those presents why even bother? We do it because the wise men gave their very best. We do it because Jesus was the greatest gift of all.

Christmas is about Christ. Not about all the other stuff. You don't need lights to love him. You don't need a tree to know that he died for you. You don't need gifts to receive the gift he has already wrapped for you.
John 3:16 ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Three Choices

If we look to the gospel of Luke this CHRISTmas season we can see insight into the birth of Jesus. Insight like none found in the other gospels. Luke, a physician, had a slightly different take on things. Luke didn't try to describe what no words could ever describe, instead he gives us facts. Plain and simple facts.
Luke 2: 6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

A baby born not even in a barn, but in a cave where animals sought shelter from the cold. It was not clean, not sanitary, and not a fitting place for a king. Sure you've heard the story right? We all have; haven't we the story of a baby born in the manger. The story of Jesus.

The story that leaves you with three choices:

1. Jesus is a liar

2. Jesus is a lunatic

3. Jesus is Lord


Really picture this a man comes to your town saying he the son of the most high. He performs miracles in the name of God. He hangs out with thieves, liars, and prostitutes. He doesn't follow your church laws. Imagine that. Was this man a liar, a person who believed he was God but was crazy, or was he the real thing.

There are no other options. If you don't believe in Jesus then you either believe the 1st or the 2nd. It is very easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this season. Easy to forget the meaning. The reason for it all is often swept away in the merriment. What are you celebrating? A liar? A crazy person? The king of kings? If you are celebrating Jesus then it may be time to inspect how he lived. Where would he celebrate? What would he want?

Todd Agnew
My Jesus
..................I wanna be like my Jesus I wanna be like my Jesus
I wanna be like my Jesus, yeah I wanna be like my Jesus
Not a poster child for American prosperity, but like my Jesus You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity I wanna be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means To be like You Jesus
'Cause You said to live like You, love like You But then You died for me Can I be like You, Jesus? I wanna be like You, Jesus I wanna be like my Jesus

well that's just not fair

I think we should take a minute and look at all the unfairness in the world. I know with Occupy Wallstreet, the economy, and the media's fixation on it; we hear this term an awful lot. Honestly I get it. It's not fair that people can live on welfare, but I have to work. It's not fair that some people get food stamps, but I buy my groceries. It's not fair that there are people in our country who don't pay the $1,000 or more that most of us pay for child care. Most of all it is not fair that I take a drug test to be employed and pay into a fund that pays for all of this, and yet these people are not drug tested or even always legally here in the US.

On the other hand it is not fair that I make the salary that I make while some big banker, doctor, lawyer, sports star, or politician gets to bring home 2-5x my salary. Its not fair that they live in a big house; even though they paid for that house with their money. It's not fair that they get to have nice things and go on nice vacations that I cannot afford. It really isn't fair that some people have wonderful health benefits while others have none.


I guess I have to agree it's just all so unfair, that I am upset. In fact if I sit and dwell on it I might get even more upset. So who do I complain to? Should I protest in the street? Should I turn to God? Where should you put in your two cents at all this unfairness? Lets stop a minute in our quest for fairness, and ask an important question. Do I really want life to be fair?

If everyone has the same amount of money that means no one can be rich. So what would I work hard for? If everyone has the same everything how would I be different? Sure it would be fair, but would it make me happier? What would this do to the American dream? What does this mean in light of what I believe about God? What does the bible say about fairness?
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Not one person is good enough. In all fairness we fall short, and we deserve nothing. If God were fair he would look at us and say you don't measure up. My standards are high and you my friend fall short. Look at your own life are you good enough for heaven? Have you ever lied, stolen, had angry hate filled thoughts, looked lustfully at a woman. If you have lied you are a liar. If you have stolen you are a thief. Hating someone is as bad as committing murder. John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Looking lustfully at a women is as bad as committing adultery. Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Now that you have examined your heart how do you feel you measure up? Would it be fair to say you don't measure up? Would it be fair to say the standards are set and you can't walk through those gates. Thank God that he sees better than to treat us fairly.
Romans 5: 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
Death is what we deserve. Death would be fair. We don't deserve anything eternal. Our works could never be enough.
Romans 5: 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. A pretty powerful gift. Something undeserved, and unfair. Offered freely to all who will accept it. Whether you or I deserve it or not. God gave us life. Not only did he give us life. He gave it through his son. He allowed his son to experience pain and death so you and I might have life.

So I guess in the end life isn't fair and I am so glad it's not. Because if life were fair I wouldn't get the most amazing gift of all. The gift I could never earn. The gift I could never pay for. The gift I would never be worthy of. A gift that will last longer than this short lifetime. I hope the next time you are pondering fairness you will remember to be thankful for unfairness!

Charmaine Not Fair
Why do You love me, why are You here?
You know my intentions, are never sincere
My heart is unfaithful, I'll do it again
But Your words are like fire that burns through my skin, and it's

Not fair
It's not fair
It's so not fair
How You love me
You love me
You so love me
And it don't seem right, that Your love has never been fair

I've covered the Basis, I know who I am
I've chased every treassure still covered in rags
I'm a thief and a liar, my names in the sand
But that doesn't phase You, You pull me back in and it's

Hoopne

Steadfastness, Patience, Endurance, Hoopne


Linclon Brester
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

James 1: 1-15 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:Greetings. ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Trials are something we all experience. One minute we are going along and things are great, then wham God throws us a trial. The bible says consider your trials pure joy. What does it mean by that? I am supposed to be happy when everything falls apart around me? To understand what that means we need to know something about joy:
Joy is supernatural delight
Joy is found in the person of God
Joy is found in the purposes of God
Joy is found in the people of God...............
Joy is not just happiness, but instead an experience of supernatural delight in the purpose, person, and people of God. If you believe that God has a plan then you can find joy.
^{James 1:2} Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
God leads us into a trial with a purpose. All of God's children are being tested and if you feel that you have never been tested you may need to examine your heart. Everyone experiences times of trials. God shapes us through these trials. God wants to change something in our character through this trial. In these times of trials our greatest problem is our need to control things. Our need to feel that in some way we have a say in what happens to us. If you feel like your life has been a repetition of the same trial over and over again you may be missing something. You may be missing the lesson over and over again. The thing is that in every trial we should approach the situation by asking ourselves some questions:

Examine your heart:
What has happened to me?
Why am I here on this Earth?
How can what's happened to me advance the purpose for why I am still here?
^{James 1:3} because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

You are still here and while you walk on this earth God has a purpose for you to be here. You have to ask yourself why am I here? If you are still breathing, standing, and living God has a purpose for you. In times of trial we also need to ask ourselves some faith questions.

Do I believe God is in control? Imagine driving down a road without holding a steering wheel. Imagine flying a plane with your eyes closed. How helpless would you feel as traffic is coming at you? How helpless would you feel as the winds buffet your craft? This really is how we are in life. Those of us who truly surrender to the will of God find ourselves heading into oncoming traffic and itching to grab the wheel.

This leads us into the next question, do you believe God is good? If God is good you don't need to grab the wheel or tear off your blind fold. Your car will not crash; your plane is not going down. If God is good this trial is for your benefit not to harm you. If God is good he will show you a blessing through what you are experiencing.


Which of course leaves us with a final question: How long are you willing to wait by faith to see his blessing? Do you have faith enough for a week? How about a month? A year? A lifetime? Every trial is a test of our faith. You must ask yourself that question and pray that you have enough faith.

Sadly not everyone has enough faith. In fact many of us react in the same way time and again. The #1 reaction to trials is lashing out. We lash out at those close us, we lash out at God, and sometimes we lash out at anyone who will listen. This lashing out usually leads to the second reaction. We bail out. We give up. We turn to God and look him straight in the eye then grab the wheel. I am giving up, I am getting out, and God I am taking control. I just don't have the faith to wait...................Sound familiar............Sound like something you have felt.......................

When you decide that you are done waiting patiently for God's work to be done in you. The moment you decide you will fix this yourself; is when you get in between the hammer and the work. If you have ever hit your thumb with a hammer you can imagine the pain that follows!!!
^{James 1:4} Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

What do we get if we wait in faith? What will we experience at the end of this trial. The Greek word is Hoopne. It means to remain under. It is translated as steadfastness, patience, and endurance. What we get is simple and powerful we remain under God. We gain faith in his amazing work. We learn as we experience that God is good ALL THE TIME!

Distractions

Nehemiah accomplished something that seemed impossible and he did it in 52 days.
Nehemiah 6:2 that Sanballat and Geshem tsent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.
Nehemiah did not allow them to distract him. His response:
Nehemiah 6:3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
Everyone is called to a great work. God is calling you as you sit here reading this. Whether you realize it or not God has a purpose for you and your life. So often we get wrapped up in worrying about that purpose. If you turn to your bible you can find any number of people who were called to do great things, but didn't feel worthy. From Jeremiah to Moses we can see our own doubts. With Jonah we can discover what happens when we run from his call, and with Nehemiah we can see what God can accomplish.

God likes the little guy. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The devil on the other hand would like to destroy anything and everything God cares about. The closer you are to God the more the devil would like to see you fail. The closer you get to doing a GREAT WORK the more the devil will try to stop you.


The easiest way for him to stop you is distracting you. Just like Nehemiah was tempted by the distraction of a meeting you will be tempted. Sometimes the distractions are big things, but most often they are little things. A good book, going shopping, a few minutes on facebook, football........ Each person has their own Tailor Made distractions. The things that will tempt you away from what God wants you to be doing. All of these distractions are a waste of time, and any of them might be harmless in moderation. The problem for us is the moderation part. You see the devil doesn't tempt us with moderation he tempts us with something that will fully absorb us. His goal is to pull us completely away from whatever God has planned.

From the outside looking in others can easily see our distractions as they eat up our time. The distractions that consume our lives. However, on the inside we are so distracted that we miss it all. Some of us go through life so distracted that when the end comes we haven't even started the work yet. You may be one of those people. The bible says your work, God's Work, is more important than all the distractions on this earth. To a starving orphan in a third world country spending 5 minutes drinking a cup of coffee that costs the same amount as a week's worth of food is frivolous. To the person who is working every minute of the day to finish the construction of a shelter before the storm sitting in front of a television watching football is frivolous.

It may be time to search our own lives and purge the distractions..................That book you are reading while good might just be a waste of time.................That game you are watching..............That hobby..........The game of golf..........

You must, You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through
Well, forgive me, forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do on my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up, I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy, won't You cover me?
Lord, right now I'm asking You to be
Strong enough, strong enough
For the both of us, yeah

Well maybe, maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up
'Cause when I'm finally, finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up and reaching out

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up, I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy, won't You cover me?
Lord, right now I'm asking You to be
Strong enough, strong enough

'Cause I'm broken, down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God and You are strong
When I am weak

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
I don't have to be strong enough
Strong enough

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be strong enough
Strong enough, oh, yeah

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up, I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy, won't You cover me?
Lord, right now I'm asking You to be
Strong enough, strong enough
Strong enough

Dry Bones

Ezekiel 2: 4-5The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.'5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Imagine God saying to you, " I have a plan for you and it's big." Picture yourself in Ezekiel's shoes. God tells him, " I am sending you on a mission, but it won't be easy." "Go speak to stubborn people who probably won't listen." If I were Ezekiel I think I would have asked. Why me Lord? I can't do this Lord and if they won't listen what is the point?

Now Ezekiel does what God asks him to do. In my eyes I see him as a great pastor. You know the type: You are breathless with wonder as they breath meaning into the word of God. This was Ezekiel. He left the people in awe. Day in and day out he told them of how angry God was with their rebellion and faithlessness. Then after a time:
Ezekiel 37:1 The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones.2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.
Imagine that God brought him to a place full of dry bones. A place of death. Creepy right?

Ezekiel 37: 3 3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”

Wow what a question. It is sort of like when m son Xavier drops a glass and it shatters. Millions of pieces all on the floor. Of course he starts crying at this point. The next words out of his mouth are so like this question. "Mommy can you fix it?" Of course some things are not in my power. I am not God. Ezekiel has exquisite faith. He believes without a doubt that God can do anything. Do you believe this? If we read further God tells Ezekiel to speak life into the dry bones.

Ezekiel 37: 7So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.
I can't even imagine how Ezekiel felt. Standing there speaking to dry bones. Looking at a valley of skeletons Ezekiel preached a good sermon. He stood there praising the power of the Lord, when suddenly those bones started to rattle. Then they attached themselves together. I am pretty sure at this point Ezekiel had to have said, "That's some good preaching, can I get an Amen?" Of course this is not recorded in the scripture. What is recorded is the further miraculous work of the Lord. Ezekiel continued preaching and soon there was muscle and skin. Finally God gave them breath! An army from dry bones, isn't it amazing what God can do?


Now I'm no Ezekiel, but I know there are times God has asked me to speak and to act. God calls us each to a purpose. You don't have to be an Ezekiel to be the person who speaks God's word. You don't have to be Ezekiel to breath life into something that has died. So many people in this world live as if they are already dead. Day to day and hour to hour living without hope. There are those who would call it depression. There are those that would say some things are hopeless. That marriage can't be saved. That illness is terminal. That man is evil. That woman is just no good. However, the scripture clearly shows us that God can bring new life. God can knit together any broken bone, cure any illness, and fix any marriage.

God's love can fix anything. In an instant he can bring all the pieces together and breath life into anything. So the question is why hasn't he done it for you yet? Why do so many marriages fail? Why do people die without finding God? Why do so many people find themselves in horrible circumstances? I think the answer is simple. Without God our lives are empty. We are like the dry bones laying useless in that valley. Without God healing a marriage seems impossible. Without God finding our way seems hopeless. Without God we are alone in the dark. Whatever you are going through is not too great for God.

What if................................

Have you ever had an idea that wouldn't leave your head? A book that someone should write. A ministry that someone should start? Someone's got to do it! Have you ever felt like that?

Nehemiah felt that way too!

Check out the the link above to find out more about how he felt and open your bible to find out what he did about it!

He makes beautiful things

Beautiful Things
All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new
You are making me new

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

Do you remember where you were 10 years ago? I don't think any of us will ever forget that day. I can't help but think of the heroes who stood tall that day. So many who gave some, and the many who gave their all. We remember today all those who died on that day and fighting for our freedom since. Deuteronomy 20:4For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." God is and was with us that day and he is with us now. Remember no matter what you face this week God will be there.

What the heck am I doing

A question for a lifetime. The question of a lifetime. What are you doing? What are any of us doing? Maybe it is time to ask the really important question, are you doing what God has called you to do?

Take a minute and think about your schedule this week. What does your life look like? Are you busy doing God's work or just busy work? This is a hard question that many Christians do not ask themselves. The thing is your life is but a blink of an eye. One day you are here and the next you are gone. You have no idea how many days you have left on this earth. When they are over what will you be remembered for?
Luke 4:18-19 ¹⁸ “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; ¹⁹ To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
God has chosen you, he has chosen me. I am to carry on Christ's mission. Before I can do that I need to check my schedule. I might need to prioritize because my time is so precious I will not waste it.

The time has come for all of us to really look at our lives and ask are you Christ aware? Do you see his presence and purpose in the choices you make? We all know those people out there who are very Self Aware. These Self Centered people are prevalent through history. We remember them in fact many of them are unforgettable. They arise throughout history with a purpose. They strongly believe in their purpose and dedicate their lives to it. They change the world. Who you ask am I referring to?
Adolf Hitler
Attila the Hun
Osama Bin Laden
Ruhollah Khomeini
Ivan the Terrible
Vlad the Impaler (the legend of Dracula is based on this guy)
Josef Stalin
This list is incomplete and only made up of men, but you get the idea. They all stood for something. They believed it to their core. Some of them died for what they believed. However, the difference between them and I is not believing strongly in something. It is not my passion about what I believe or even that I am willing to stand for something no matter what the consequence. It is simply that I am Christ Aware not Self Aware.

I've said it before and I am sure I will say it again. Some things are worth dying for. In this country where we take our very rights for granted it is very easy to become complacent. I refuse to go with the flow, because I am not a dead fish. If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything. I refuse to be naive or misguided. When I center myself on the one who truly matters I realize that not every fight is worth fighting. Not every battle must be won. However, his battles and victories I will celebrate to the depths of my soul!

In final consideration God did not call everyone to the same purpose. Honestly I love to sing. I would sing in choir, on stage, anywhere; but I am tone deaf to the core. God did not call me to sing. I also love to speak in public. I enjoy working at seminars and conferences. I know that I have a stage presence and I am not boring to listen to, at least not all the time. However, if this were God's plan for me I would be given opportunities to do this. God doesn't always give you the purpose you want. Being Christ centered means you have to set aside what you want for the purpose God has. Do not be caught up thinking I wish I could serve God in the way _____________ does, but instead serve him in what he has called you to do with your whole heart and mind. God doesn't call the worthy, but instead he makes worthy the called.

God has Chosen Me
God has chosen me, God has chosen me
to bring good news to the poor.
God has chosen me, God has chosen me
to bring new sight to those searching for light:
God has chosen me, chosen me:

Refrain
And to tell the world that God's kingdom is near,
to remove oppression and breakdown fear,
yes, God's time is near, God's time is near,
God's time is near, God's time is near.

God has chosen me, God has chosen me
to set alight a new fire.
God has chosen me, God has chosen me
to bring to birth a new kingdom on earth:
God has chosen me, chosen me:

God is calling me, God is calling me
in all whose cry is unheard.
God is calling me, God is calling me
to raise up the voice with no power or choice:
God is calling me, calling me:

Bold Obediance

Being obedient to God is very important, but scary. Acts 5: 19-20 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.
Picture it you were thrown in jail for speaking to the people. Your life has been threatened and you know that you are in a bit of a bind because of the way you have been preaching. An angel has come to you freeing you from prison, but told you to continue on the path that got you into trouble. What would you do?
Acts 5: 21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.
Bold Obedience requires faith. The disciples had to have faith enough to face going straight back to jail. They had to have faith enough in God to do exactly what they were told not to do. Notice they did it at daybreak. They didn't wait till noon, or the next day. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

Imagine saying to God, "Yeah I know you told me to preach your word, but I think I will go play golf today. Tomorrow it's going to rain so that will work better for me. You understand right God?" What do you think God would say?

Or maybe I'll just kind of obey. If I go early enough in the morning no one will be there and if no one is there then I can leave right? Partial obedience is still disobedience. The disciples knew this, and so they didn't partially obey.

I can tell you for a fact that when you are obedient to God people will question you. You will face opposition. Sometimes people you trust will break your trust. Those who love you will stand against you. They will question you when you are following God. I know this because I have experienced it.

When I tell people God brought us to Oklahoma I sometimes get funny looks. Often people question me. Why Oklahoma? I don't know why Oklahoma. God didn't tell me his entire plan. If he had revealed it to me it probably would have been too frightening. It really doesn't matter to me why God chose Oklahoma. The results are amazing. It transformed our lives one step in faith at a time. First we had jobs. Then we found an amazing church. Next we discovered lifegroup and forged a bond of friendship. Step by step life has changed. I can't say where the road leads tomorrow, but I know that the blessings along it are nothing short of a miracle. I can also say without a doubt that had I partially followed God, or not gone at all my life would not be the same. When you walk in obedience with God you are blessed. God uses you to bless others, and there will be miracles.

Question me anytime in my obedience to God. I am not ashamed to say I trust him and even though it didn't make sense and sounded crazy I was willing to go where he led. Are you willing to go? Are you answering his call? Are you obedient?

Chris Tomlin

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow

Talking to Myself

We speak Boldly about what we believe deeply. Sometimes I find myself in a conversation with someone where we don't agree. These very conversations are the test of how I feel on any given subject. If I can let it go then obviously its not that important to me. However, there are some issues that I will not stand down on. These conversations often make people feel uncomfortable. These are the conversations that can become heated. We've all had these conversations. They are the conversations about what we believe deeply. In these conversations we find BOLD words. We are inspired by our feelings to speak boldly in the face of those who would disagree with us.
In Acts in the bible the disciples spoke boldly about Jesus. They believed deeply in him and they were willing to put their very lives at risk to speak boldly about him. They were not politically correct. Politically correct living is not BOLD. You can't do it. If you want to be like the disciples; then you are going to ruffle some feathers. If you don't it's not BOLD. Just remember what are you speaking boldly about?
If I am speaking Boldly about myself; then I believe in my own importance. It may be a sign that I believe to much in my own importance. If I am speaking Boldly about politics; then I believe the way our country is run is important. If I am speaking Boldly about education; then I believe that being educated is important. All of these things are fine, but truly do they further the kingdom of God? What I speak Boldly about reveals what I feel is deeply important. As a Christian, I need be speaking boldly the gospel. I need to be speaking boldly the message of Jesus. My values and the biblical principals that these values are built upon should be my BOLD message. In fact if I'm not speaking Boldly; I may not believe deeply.

I'm sure you've heard the saying that it's not crazy to talk to yourself, but answering back is not okay. I'm going to take it one step further. I believe that just as our Pastor preached this Sunday; when we believe deeply we will speak boldly to ourselves. We are all faced daily with opportunities to uplift our own minds and hearts through the Bold messages that we tell ourselves. Cause lets face it there's not always someone right there when you need them and even if they are there they may not have the BOLD words you need to hear.
1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
Sometimes it is okay to encourage yourself. Just like David we may find ourselves in a situation that we don't like. We can find ourselves in a place that is unpleasant, or even a predicament that seems unsolvable. At times like these we need to preach ourselves a sermon.
Phillipians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength
We all need these sermons from time to time. Life is hard the trials before us seem to be more than we can bear. Sometimes we are so close to the problem that all we can see is our weakness. At these times we lean on God and let him give us strength.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
I don't know why my 4 year old has seizures. I don't know why bad things happen to good people. I'm not certain that it is fair the way people are treated. I really want things to happen in my timing not his. Just when I think I have figured out God's plan things start to unravel. I can't ever get it all figured out, but that's when I need to preach myself this sermon! Because when I am reminded of Proverbs 3: 5-6; I start to feel better about my own incomprehension.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
There are plenty of things that are beyond me. Beyond my strength. Sometimes I am overwhelmed and afraid, and at these times there is soo much power in his great name! The Lord has many names in the bible and each one describes an aspect of who he is. When you call upon the Lord acknowledging his attributes and his nature you are inviting him to be those things for you. My restorer, My helper, My strength, My redeemer, My hope, My patience, My truth, My counselor, My rewarder, My shield, My healer, and so much more. Jesus is all these and more. Sometimes we just need to preach a cry out to him sermon! Because once you say his name your heavy heart will be lifted.
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
It is easy to get frustrated with the day to day struggles of our lives. It is easy to overlook God in our business. The bible clearly says that we will struggle, but most of my struggles are not nearly as hard as those Jesus faced. I do not have to make the hard choices he made, or sacrifices that he did. Because of what he did for me; I am saved.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
How easy it is to grow weary. Worrying about all the things that might happen or could happen. What does all this worrying really achieve. The only way to know what will be tomorrow is to live through today. There is a saying, "Do not let the worries of tomorrow rob you of the joys of today." Instead cast your cares upon the Lord he will not let you fall.

Psalm 119: 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
I feel lost and just don't know where to turn. These are the times that I have to remind myself. "You already have the roadmap." The bible, God's word will lead me. It will light my way in the darkness. All I need to do is turn to it and open my heart.
Psalm 126: 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Not every day is perfect. There are times of great sorrow. Times where the way is so unclear that we must trust in the Lord even though we cannot see the way. In these times I remember that I cannot stop on this path. Where God leads me I must follow, for in the harvest my basket will be full.

Phillipians 4: 6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Easier said then done. Worrying, anxiety, stress....it's so overwhelming. At times I find myself worrying about the silliest things. Sometimes I need a little perspective. Sometimes I need to count my blessings as I humbly hit my knees and cry out to God. There is so much peace in those moments of prayer. I feel his presence and all my fears seem to slip away.
Psalm 7: 1O LORD my God, in You I put my trust;Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me,
Its hard to know why people do the hateful things they do. Gossip, Cruelty, Disrespect.............the behaviors that run rampant through our society. You can find people who act this way in every workplace. I sometimes wonder if they get a kick out of making others suffer. It is easy to think that nothing you can do will ever make a situation better. This kind of thinking is right and wrong. There is something you can do when faced with persecution. In times when the world seems to be against you put your trust in God he will deliver you. Hit your knees and ask him for deliverance.
Romans 8: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
God uses what was intended for evil. God uses all things. Every bad thing that happens to you God can use. We just have to be open to understanding that there is a purpose. God has a plan. I don't know his plan, but that doesn't mean it's not there. This plan is so much greater than anything I could hope to achieve, and if I just acknowledge his plan and purpose it will change everything. When I trust him completely; life as I know it is transformed.
1Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.(The Greek word for temptation can also be translated as tested. Red portion of this verse is my emphasis)
You will be tested. You will face trials and situations that you believe you cannot bear. There will be times that you will want to throw yourself to the ground and cry. There will be times that you think, "I cannot go on." I know that you feel hopelessness. Nothing you could ever do will change that. These are the times that you must remind yourself, you are not alone. God walks with you. He will not allow you to be tested beyond what you can bear. He will help you to endure. Cry out to him and lay all your burdens at his feet.

I'm sure you can think of a few verses and sermons of your own. Living BOLD, will change your life. With every step you take God will mold you and form you. He is the Potter and we are clay.When you are discouraged lift yourself up. I encourage you no matter how crazy it sounds to preach yourself a sermon!

Michael W. Smith
Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I'm your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
Cause nothing else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to you

You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
Help me know you are near

Things that Amaze me

There are parents out there who have never had a baby in the NICU. Parents who have never had a child who has had an MRI, CAT SCAN, EEG, or even a blood test. There are parents out there who take for granted everyday how blessed they are. Am I jealous? Absolutely not!

Why you ask? Because I am a parent whose children have never undergone open heart surgery. My children have not had chemotherapy. I have never watched my child fight to breath, or live. I have never held my baby in my arms for the last time.

It amazes me how blessed I am. How blessed you are................

Now let me tell you about my day. For an EEG Xavier was allowed 3 hours of sleep. The sleep must be in the middle of the night with no naps after. We were scheduled for a 1:00 EEG. So at 3 AM he went to bed and at 6 AM we were up and running! Literally he ran all day everywhere! We spent the morning and most of the night watching one movie after another. I hate it, but tv was the only guarantee he would stay awake. Hailey woke up in the middle of the night and was fussy so that kind of interrupted our 3 hours of sleep! At 12:00 we headed to the hospital to find out that while we were plenty early the doctor's office had not authorized the EEG with insurance. Oh yeah did I mention the whole office was out to lunch! The lady at the hospital went all the way up to administration pulling strings, but when it came down to it they could not seem to get the woman in charge of sending the paperwork off excited about calling. She said she would call the next day. Now of course at this point I am about to unravel! I can't go without sleep again, and I have had a bit too much coffee so..................... I took the phone and spoke my mind. I did not cuss, but I was not kind. When I was done she agreed to call the insurance company. My insurance company was amazing they managed an approval and got it all faxed over in 20 minutes. With 1 minute left till they could no longer fit us in they ran us up to the EEG floor!

I was soo grateful I could have cried. We got the EEG done without tears and readjusting wires! He hates the wires and has trouble sleeping when they are behind his ears! I had to go pee the whole time and thought I might pee my pants! Seriously too much coffee and no time for the toilet because of all the crazy stuff!!! We don't know the results yet, but every EEG reminds me how blessed I am.

It doesn't matter if you have perfectly healthy children, or children who drive you crazy with all their medicines and tests each day is a gift from God. Don't forget they will grow up before you know it!

Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

What are you praying for?

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

What did you pray for last week? Think about it, because "what you pray reflects what you believe about God."-Craig Groeschel This week I prayed a lot of the prayers. Prayers that I pray every week. The same tried and true prayers. Lead ME God. Protect MY family God. Help ME to better serve your will. This week at church we heard an amazing message on BOLD prayer. I never really thought about the way I was praying, or what I was praying for. In Acts Peter and John prayed a bold prayer together to God. Acts 4: 29-30 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
Have you ever prayed to be Bold? Do you believe God is in charge? What do your prayers say about you. Well self centered prayer says that you believe God exists to serve you. Imagine how God feels hearing our same old same old prayers. Our lukewarm prayers. God Be with us today..............God thank you for this................ How about if you don't pray unless times are really tough. Are you one of those who says well there's nothing more we can do so I guess now we pray. Is God your last resort?

What are you afraid of? If you pray big/BOLD prayers you can expect big/BOLD results. Is your faith strong enough that you can handle God saying, "no." God doesn't always say yes, but he will hear your prayer. Pray for Boldness, pray for miracles, pray for things that would change the world.
Acts 4: 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
If you pray Bold prayers you may find that God will answer them as he did for Peter and John. What are you waiting for, your prayers could change the world.

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here


And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand


All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship


This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow