Walk by Faith

I was doing some reading last evening and came upon this poem which I thought I would share with you:

WE WALK BY FAITH

AND NOT BY SIGHT

By Henry Alford (1845)

We walk by faith and not by sight;
No gracious words we hear
From Him who spoke as never man,
But we believe Him near.

We may not touch His hands and side,
Nor follow where He trod;
But in His promise we rejoice,
And cry, "My Lord and God."

Help Thou, O Lord, our unbelief;
And may our faith abound,
To call on Thee when Thou art near,
And seek, where Thou art found:

That when our life of faith is done,
In realms of clearer light,
We may behold Thee as Thou art,
With full and endless sight.

Thankful Thursday

I'm joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey for Thankful Thursday!! Please stop by and visit her and all the other participants to see what we're thankful for this week. Maybe you'd like to join in!! It's simple to do. Just list 5 things that you are thankful for this week, and then link back to Sonya's.

Here are my 5 "Thankfuls" for this week:

• I am thankful for my son who made homemade chicken noodle soup for me during my recent illness with strep throat. It soothed my throat as well as my heart to know that he was concerned and caring for me. I didn't even know he knew how to do this! (I did offer a little help with the list of ingredients, but after that he was on his own!).

• I am thankful that despite the snow and then ice we received yesterday everyone I know arrived safely to work and then home again.

• I am thankful that I am loved unconditionally by my God. He has led me to places in my life that I never would have discovered if not for Him working in me and through me.

• I am thankful for God using the internet as a way to learn more and more about Him, drawing closer to Him each and every day through others and their insights. I still stand in amazement of how God is using this medium to bring me and others closer to Him.

• I am thankful that our new blog, "The Lighthouse of Prayer" is up and active. God pressed this issue hard upon my heart for many weeks. I prayed and prayed about this--how to even begin this, how to find the time to fit this into my schedule, and God has led and directed me and others through this process. Now, I pray that He will lead others to "The Lighthouse" so that we may intercede with them through prayer.

• I know this is more than 5, but I have to say that I am thankful for the hot cup of coffee that I am now drinking before my work day!

Be sure and stop by and visit Sonya today, and most of all, be thankful!!

The Breath of Prayer

I'm reading a book I've recently purchased called "The Power of Praying Through the Bible" by Stormie Omartian. I'm taking this book slowly--not rushing through this--because there is a lot to learn and absorb in this book. The author starts in Genesis, going through the Bible through to Revelation--a little excerpt on a verse with a portion of the Bible to read and ends with a prayer.

I thought I would take a few minutes to share the first few pages of this book with you.

The first prayer study is called "God's Connection with Us". The portion of the Bible to read is Genesis 1:26-2:7, and the particular verse to focus on is Genesis 2:7:

"The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."

As God created the world into being, He didn't remain impersonal in His creation. He became personally involved with human beings, breathing the very breath of life into us. By doing so, He gave us the ability to speak. Without breath, we wouldn't be able to perform this feat.


We breathe in and out, and we speak with the inspiration and expiration of our breath.

I remember each of my children's first words--how thrilled I was to hear them speak!! Even their first sounds which I had to deciper to understand!! But, I understood what they were saying and was awed when they began to verbally communicate with me and others.

God gave us these abilities. He bestowed them upon us--the ability to breathe and the ability to speak. When I think of how thrilled I was to hear my own children's first words, I am just wondering how thrilled God must be when we speak to Him through prayer. He is waiting there, listening for us to speak to Him, utilizing the ability that He Himself gave us.

I remember when I first re-turned to God. I was hesitant to pray because I really didn't know how. I heard others praying, and I was just amazed. I had never heard prayer before. This wasn't something we did in my home during our growing up years. In church, only the Pastor of the church prayed--no one else.

So, I was at a loss as to where to begin.

If you are like I was and feel hesitant to speak to God through prayer, Stormie gives a little hint in her book. Start small. Breathe a prayer to God. Say "Thank you for" slowly, breathe in slowly using this time to think of what you are thankful for. Then breathe out saying the words to express your gratitude to God.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? So, start praying today to thank God for whatever you are thankful for in your life at this given moment. It doesn't have to be something big.

Breathe in--"Thank you, God"........Breathe out........."for your unfailing love."

A simple prayer to God that He is waiting to hear. He's there waiting for each of us to speak to Him. just as we waited for our own children to speak to us. Start simple by just breathing your prayers to Him. He gave us the breath of life. Breathe back your thanks to Him.

Please be sure to visit "The Lighthouse of Prayer" and breathe your thanks to the LORD.


Beth

Weekly Memory Verse

Before we begin our Weekly Memory Verse, I want to draw attention to the fact that "The Lighthouse of Prayer" has moved to its new home. Please drop by and visit us there!!


Our verse for last week was a long one. How did everyone do? I have to admit that my mind was on a lot of other things last week. Let's see how well I did:

Everyone must submit themselves to the governing authorities for there is no other authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God....Romans 13:1

Looks right to me!! Now, how has this verse spoken to me through this week:

This has been a week of change in our country with the inauguration of our new President and staff. A lot of people are placing their hopes in this man. The responsibility he is feeling at this time must be overwhelming.

What I (and everyone) must remember is that he is a man--a human being just as the rest of us are. This verse says that God has established the governing authorities and that we must submit to them.

We must remember that God is still in control of our entire universe. We must pray the President Obama and his staff seek God's Will for our country and then follow His decisions.

I know as I visit others posts that a lot of people are praying for our new President and staff. Let's continue to pray that he will seek God's Will in each and every decision made. And let's also pray for the President's family--their safety and protection of God during his time in office.

I cannot even imagine being the President of this country. This is a responsibility beyond any concepts I may even have. So, please continue to pray for President Obama, his staff, all of their families.

Our hope is not placed in this man. Our hope is placed in him following God in whom we have placed our hope.

Now for next week--a little change up here:

I received a surprise in the mail last week. This is a deck of playing cards--not an ordinary deck of cards--but a deck of Scripture playing cards. There are the usual aces, kings, queens, jacks, etc., but each card has a Scripture written on it instead of the usual markings.

So, I was thinking....Hmmmmm....thinking--52 cards in a deck--52 weeks in a year--

What we're going to be doing is going through the deck of cards--week by week--using the verses on these cards.

The first card is the ace of spades. Here is the verse written upon it and your weekly memory verse for next week:

But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.....Matthew 6:33

How did last week's verse speak to you?

Beth

The Lighthouse of Prayer

"The Lighthouse of Prayer" has been moved to its own site. We felt that this needed a separate home.

Please stop by and visit us at our new site. We are interactively praying for each other every day.

Beth

The Lighthouse of Prayer--Second Posting

This is a second posting of the original introduction to "The Lighthouse of Prayer". Please visit the previous post to view others' prayer requests and prayer responses here.

If you've already visited and read the introduction, the prayer requests, praises and responses. please scroll down to January 24, 2009.

First, I want to share with you a little, so bear with me:

When I see a lighthouse, I think of God--standing tall, firm, faithful, always there, never failing in His love for us. He is a never wavering fortress in our lives--the good times when the seas are calm and also when the storms coming beating down upon us.

He is guiding the light for us to follow, even through the fog and mist when we cannot see or hear Him clearly.

How do we communicate with our God? Through prayer.

How many times do we say to others, "I'll keep you in my prayers".

Do you have people in your life who are actively praying for you--for your needs, for your requests to God, rejoicing with you in your praises to God?

Jesus came to this earth not only to show us how to lead and conduct our lives, to sacrifice Himself so that we could have forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with Him, but to bridge the gap between man and God. He intercedes for us with God. His ministry on this earth lasted only 3 short years, but He is still interceding for us some 2000+ years later!!

Praying is our means of talking with God-- just like we talk with our friends--telling them what is going on in our life--what we're joyful about, what we're sorrowful about, what's happening with our friend that we're concerned about.

God is the source of change in our lives--only He has the power, might and strength to change the future. He is the sole history maker. But, we can be an active part of this history change through prayer to God. He hears us. He is just waiting for us to come to Him, to talk to Him.

This is going to be an interactive prayer request-comment conversation with God.

All you need to do is post a comment with a prayer request--something that is pressing in your life, whatever has been imprinted upon your heart that you feel the need or want others to pray along with you, a praise of whatever has made you joyful that you would like to share so that others can rejoice with you, an answer from God for something that you have been praying about.

Now, here's the really important part--those who stop by and read your prayer request will leave a PRAYER for you--not a comment--the specific PRAYER that they have said for you. And you have the opportunity to leave a comment as a PRAYER for others.

Jesus intercedes for us, and we will be interceding for others!!

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited about this!!

January 24, 2009

I received a gift yesterday in the mail--one that I didn't see until this morning because I forgot to pick up the mail. This was sitting on my dining room table when I awoke this morning. This is a deck of Scripture playing cards that was gifted to me through a friend by someone I don't even know.

I randomly picked a card this morning, and here is the verse displayed on the jack of diamonds:

And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."........Matthew 22:37-39

I have to ask myself, what better way is there to show our love for God and for others than through prayer? Please continue to leave your prayer requests, praises and responses in the form of a prayer. Let's lift up our praises to God and intercede for others!

Abba,

As I begin my day, I lift up my praises to You--You are my King, my all. I worship You for being who You are, the great I AM. I realize that I can do nothing, be nothing in this life on earth without You by my side, guiding and directing me. Help me to always hear Your voice clearly so that I may know and follow Your will and plans for me this day.

I again lift up my children to You asking that You bring them to You so that they may know the full extent of Your love, Your sacrifice for us and accept You as their Savior. I ask this with full confidence that this is Your will for them, trusting and knowing that You will use others in their lives to plant the seeds of life in them. Help me to always be a living example of You to them by my daily words and actions.

I thank you for the opportunity this afternoon to gather with two close friends for conversation, lunch and laughter. How much we need laughter in our lives!! Thank you, God, for laughter and placing this emotion into us during our creation.

Thank you for my tears of joy, tears that I could not cry for so many years. Now they flow freely, not in sadness but in my joy of knowing You, knowing of Your love for me and Your great sacrifice for me. Am I deserving of this sacrifice? Are any of us? We are still sinners, Lord, still in our sinful ways . And yet You still urge us to come to You, to seek forgiveness.

I come to you this morning asking forgiveness of my sins--some that I have committed knowingly and others that I have committed unknowingly. Please forgive me of gossiping. How easy it is to get caught up in the talking about others when we are more than likely doing the same thing. Help me to stand tall and walk away from conversations that are degrading to others, Abba, and instead seek Your attitude in loving them.

Show me how to love the "unlovable".

I thank you, Lord, for all you have provided for me on a daily basis. I have my job while others have none. I have food while others have none. I have a place to live while others are homeless.

You have given me a mission, Abba, a mission to help others who have less than me. Please guide and direct me and the others involved in this mission so that we may bring Your mission to fulfillment to help those in need.

All of this I bring to You in the Name of Your Son, my Savior--Jesus Christ.

Amen.

THE LIGHTHOUSE OF PRAYER

We're introducing a new segment to "The Power of Your Love" today!!

First, I want to share with you a little, so bear with me;

When I see a lighthouse, I think of God--standing tall, firm, faithful, always there, never failing in His love for us. He is a never wavering fortress in our lifes--the good times and when the storms coming beating down upon us.

He is guiding the light for us to follow, even through the fog and mist when we cannot see or hear Him clearly.

How do we communicate with our God? Through prayer.

How many times do we say to others, "I'll keep you in my prayers".

Do you have people in your life who are actively praying for you--for your needs, for your requests to God, rejoicing with you in your praises to God?

Jesus came to this earth not only to show us how to lead and conduct our lives, to sacrifice Himself so that we could have forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with Him, but to bridge the gap between man and God. He intercedes for us with God. His ministry on this earth lasted only 3 short years, but He is still interceding for us some 2000+ years later!!

Praying is our means of talking with God-- just like we talk with our friends--telling them what is going on in our life--what we're joyful about, what we're sorrowful about, what's happening with our friend that we're concerned about.

God is the source of change in our lives--only He has the power, might and strength to change the future. He is the sole history maker. But, we can be an active part of this history change through prayer to God. He hears us. He is just waiting for us to come to Him, to talk to Him.

This is going to be an interactive prayer request-comment conversation with God.

All you need to do is post a comment with a prayer request--something that is pressing in your life, whatever has been imprinted upon your heart that you feel the need or want others to pray along with you, a praise of whatever has made you joyful that you would like to share so that others can rejoice with you, an answer from God for something that you have been praying about.

Now, here's the really important part--those who stop by and read your prayer request will leave a PRAYER for you--not a comment--the specific PRAYER that they have said for you. And you have the opportunity to leave a comment as a PRAYER for others.

Jesus intercedes for us, and we will be interceding for others!!

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited about this!!

I can't think of anything that would be more appropriate than to start this with my prayer:

Abba,

I love you and praise Your Name always. You are the most high, always there for us, never wavering in Your love for us.

There are many issues upon my own heart as well as the hearts of others. Please lead us in prayer to You for You are the sole source of our hope in this life. Let us learn to depend upon You more and more until we are totally dependent and fully surrendered to You.

Today I come to you with my children upon my heart. They know You, Lord, but they have not accepted You as their Savior. I pray that You bring them to You, show them the full extent of our love and be a life-changing force for them.

My work situation is also on my mind. You know how overwhelmed and stressed I feel there. Is this the place You want me to be? Lead me in Your wisdom, guide me through my day no matter what the situation is. Let me lay my stress upon You for Your shoulders are much broader than mine and able to bear the weight of this.

I thank you for always being there for me, always loving me even when I don't feel deserving of this love.

I humbly ask that You bless this day--each and every moment. Let us feel Your presence in our lives and be a shining light to others to guide them to You.

In Jesus' most precious name,

Amen.

Weekly Memory Verse

How's everyone doing with the weekly memory verse? I've memorized this one--not too long or difficult to memorize:

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and He will reward them for what he has done....Proverbs 19:17

When I first read this Scripture for memorization, some other verses came immediately into my mind:

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"

The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."....Matthew 25:37:40

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."....1 Samuel 16:7

As I memorized the weekly memory verse and added these few verses in to ponder upon, I searched further into my Bible. And I came to Philippians 2:5-11:

In your relationships with one another, have the same ATTITUDE of MIND Christ Jesus had:

Who being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be used to His own advantage;
rather, He made Himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a human being,
He humbled Himself
by becoming obedient to death--
even death on a cross!

Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in Heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD,
to the glory of God the Father.

This one verse from Proverbs, a verse that was easy to memorize, speaks volumes. It speaks of our need for humility, our need for discipleship, our need to strive to become more Christ-like in attitude and mind every day, every moment of our lives--and most of all the need to put aside our own wants and needs and to develop the heart of a servant.

Jesus did not come to be served as most kings of this time. He came to show us how to be effective servants. He did not come to make more laws and rules for us to follow, but to change the condition of our hearts.

Our hearts--that is what the LORD is looking at! He is not looking at our clothing, our cars, our homes-- He is looking into our hearts and seeing what is truly there.

Are we feeling kindly towards others? Are we helping those in need? Are we available at times when we are being called by God to be His hands and feet?

I know that in our area we have had quite a cold snap. One day the temperature didn't rise about 10 degrees. I heard on the radio that 65 homeless people had willingly come into a local shelter that evening, and there were people on the streets looking and gathering more to come to the shelter. This is servanthood. This is having the heart of Jesus.

Then, of course, all these people needed to be fed, needed a place to sleep, needed extra blankets and pillows.

I don't have a lot of extra financial resources that I can go and buy new items to donate. But, surely in my home I have an extra blanket and pillow, some canned goods that can be donated to this mission to help feed the people who came seeking shelter from the freezing cold.

This is what this verse has spoken to me this week:

Use what you have. Use the resources that are at your own fingertips. If I don't have any items to donate to others, I have some time. I can use that time to go to the shelter, help prepare and serve meals.

There is a church in the city that is closest to me that serves a hot meal to the homeless every evening. They are always looking for people to come and help prepare and serve the meals, clean up afterwards.

Doing these things not only helps others, it helps us. We learn to be humble, have the heart of Jesus. There is nothing different between the rich and the poor except for our circumstances. We are all unique, but we share one quality: We were all created by God. He loves each of us--regardless of our circumstances.

This is what is meant by being "kind to the poor". For in doing these things for others, we are doing the same for Our God, and our reward will be great--an eternity spent with Him in Heaven.

What did this verse speak to you this week?

Now, we'll move on to next week's verse:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have
been established by God.....Romans 13:1

A little more difficult to memorize, but appropriate for this coming week.

I'm looking forward to reading what last week's verse spoke to you as an individual.

Beth

Super Sunday

A friend sent me this as an e-mail, and I thought I would share this with you today:

The Holy Alphabet

Although things are not perfect

Because of trial or pain

Continue in thanksgiving

Do not begin to blame

Even when the times are hard

Fierce winds are bound to blow

God is forever able

Hold on to what you know

Imagine life without His love

Joy would cease to be

Keep thanking Him for all the things

Love imparts to thee

Move out of 'Camp Complaining'

No weapon that is known

On earth can yield the power

Praise can do alone

Quit looking at the future

Redeem the time at hand

Start every day with worship

To 'thank' is a command

Until we see Him coming

Victorious in the sky

We'll run the race with gratitude

Xalting God most high

Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Please be sure to stop by and visit Peggy at Amazing Grace~~Mazes, Messes, Miracles to view more participants of Super Sunday. Why not join in? It's super, it's simple, and it's Sunday!

Beth

Simple yet profound

No God -- No Peace

Know God -- Know Peace

Thankful Thursday

I'm joining with Sonya for "Thankful Thursday". Be sure and stop by and visit her to see what everyone is thankful for this week. Maybe this will be the week that you decide to join and list just a few of the things that you are thankful for.

My thankfuls this week:

• I am thankful that God is opening doors for me in a mission that has been placed in my heart for quite a while. The doors are beginning to open in this direction, doors that only God could open. He has a plan for this mission. I feel this in my heart. Lord, help me and the others involved in this ministry to hear Your voice and follow Your Will for this mission. Guide and direct us as to Your plans, Your purposes in this. Use us as Your hands and feet to bring guidance, warmth, comfort and Your Word and peace to others. This mission is all for Your Glory.
  

• I am thankful for the new books that I received in the mail yesterday so that I may dig deeper into God's Word and increase my prayer life with Him.

• I am thankful that my son, Andrew, has taken the steps to further his education. In the turmoil of our lives when he was younger, he did not graduate from high school. He started taking classes last week to prepare for his GED so that he may attend college. This first class was basically placement tests. Last night, the teacher at these classes told him that he is already at college level, does not need to take the additional preparation classes and is ready to take the test. He was so excited that he called me on his drive home. What a boost in his confidence and the knowledge that yes, he does have the ability to accomplish this goal in his life. Yes, I am thrilled with this knowledge, also!!

• I am thankful for my job. Yes, that was a hard one to even write. My job is mentally taxing and stressful from the minute I walk in the door to the minute I leave to come home. I have questioned whether or not this is the place where God wants me to be. But, I have come to realize and understand that God will use me wherever I am. I just need to be more conscious of His voice speaking to me through my day as to how to respond to certain situations--showing His love for others instead of my own frustrations. And in the state of our economy where many do not have work, I am thankful that my job is secure.

• And lastly, I am thankful for God's creation. Did you see the moon last week? It was spectacular!! God in all His Glory shining His evening light!! And God saw that it was good!! If you didn't see the moon, check it out here. I "just happened" to have my camera with me and was able to catch a picture on my way to work.
  

So, tell me--what are you thankful for this week?

Beth

Weekly Memory Verse

Here we go!! I'm going to type out last week's verse from memory (you'll just have to trust me on this!), and we'll see how well I did!!

So I say live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature......Galations 5:16

Not too bad--no punctuation, but that is okay!!

Now, how has this verse spoken to me this week:

This is the time of year when I look back at the previous year and see what I want to change during the coming year. These are what are usually called resolutions. Many people make these "resolutions" on New Year's Eve with a determination to follow through with them during the coming year.

Are we more or less setting ourselves up for disappointments in the new year?

A week or two into the new year, and I have realized that I have already forgotten or missed the mark on what I "resolved" to do during the coming year.

The Apostle Paul in writing this verse in Galatians has given me a very important insight into this and what it takes to truly make changes in my life:

I need to change my focus!!

Instead of focusing so intently on what I want to change--what I consider to be a "desire of the flesh", "a sinful nature" which are basically negatives, I need to place my focus on the Holy Spirit and make the decision to live by the Spirit guiding and directing me.

Only by focusing and living by the Spirit can these changes come about. Instead of eyeballing the negatives and weaknesses in my life, I'm going to zero in on where the Spirit is leading me.

Then changes will come--the changes that God is wanting me to make--from the inside out.

What do you think? Place our focus on Jesus--I'll be willing to say that more changes will come about in our lives than we can ever dream of in our "own resolutions".

How has this verse spoken to you this week? Please share with me either here in a comment or on your own blog.

And here is our verse for this week:

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and He will reward him for what he has done....Proverbs 19:17

Beth

Super Sunday

It is time for Super Sunday!! Be sure and visit Peggy at Amazing Grace~~Mazes, Messes, Miracles to see more participants and join in !!

Okay--I'll admit it. I'm in a kind of funk here. I've had difficulty sleeping lately, then sleeping too much. The madness of the world is beginning to bother me quite a bit. I want to cocoon myself from all the hurts and pain.

Is this realistic? Is this even possible?

Where do I turn? Where do I go?

JESUS

"Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid nor dismayed for the Lord is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9


"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid...The Lord is with me; He is my helper." Psalms 118:6-7

"You, Lord, give perfect peace even in turmoil to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." Isaiah 26:3

"I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:3-4

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like an eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. -- Isaiah 40:28-31

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25-26

My precious Jesus,

You are my strength, my strong deliverer. Come to my rescue and lift this from me--this feeling of oppression. Help me to focus on the positive instead of the negative. Show me, lead me, direct me, guide me. Wrap your arms around me and let me be so aware of your loving embrace. This world has nothing for me. You are my all, my everything..............


Beth

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

"As much as we complain about it, we are drawn to hurry. it makes us feel important. It keeps the adrenaline pumping. It means we don't have to look too closely at the heart of life".......John Ortberg

Ouch!! I know that I can be guilty of this!! So much to do, so little time!! When am I going to do this? What am I going to that? Lists made of all the "important" things that I need to do.

Where is our solitude? Where is our quiet time with God? When are we going to slow down and celebrate God's joy in our lives--our everyday life?

Yet the news about Him spread all the more, so that the crowds of people came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed......Luke 5:15-16

With this video, I'm inviting you to take 4 minutes of your busy day in order to slow down and celebrate the heart of your life--The Great I AM.

Please be sure to visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders for more participants of Then Sings My Soul Saturday!!

Beth

He Knows My Name

What an awesome reminder of the truth that God knows and loves each of us as His unique creations! Be blessed as you listen.

HisFireFly

Thankful Thursday

I'm joining with Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey for "Thankful Thursday". All you need to do is list 5 things that are you are thankful for during the past week. Surely, we all have at least 5 things that we are thankful for! Just click on the picture above and you can see who is participating and read all of their thankfuls, too!

Here are my 5 thankfuls for this week:

• I was ill last weekend. While lying in bed on Sunday morning, feeling like a load of bricks had been dropped on me, I rolled over and looked out my window. There was the most beautiful sunrise I have seen in a long time. All colors--orange, red, yellow, purple and a little blue just peeking through. I am thankful for seeing that sunrise. I was feeling lousy, and this lifted my spirits beyond belief.

• I was leaving work one day last week when a flock of geese came flying overhead--honking noisily. They were completely out of their usual "V" formation. I stood and watched as they maneuvered themselves into position--with one flying at the head, all the rest falling in behind in their typical formation of a "V". And I marveled at this--how do they know who gets to lead and who is next and who is at the tail end? Or do they take turns? I am thankful that I was in just the right place at the right time to see another of God's great creations, how He has created them to know exactly what to do, when to fly south, and the formation in which they are to fly.
  

• I am thankful for my Small Group--my very close spiritual family. We had a time off during December and had our first meeting of the year on Monday evening. It was wonderful to be together again after this break--the renewing of each others' spirits by being with one another and studying God's Word and His plans and purposes for each of us.

• I am so thankful that my son is beginning to realize his potential in his life and has made the decision to return to school. YEAH!! GO, ANDREW!! I'm so proud of you!!! God is working in his life whether he realizes this or not.

• I am thankful for the hope that I have in my life. Everyday I see others with no hope--feeling discouraged, downtrodden, beaten. My hope lies in Jesus Christ, and there I will stay. Lord, please use me however You wish to show others the hope that lies in You.

And there you have it--my 5 thankfuls for this week--although there are many more!!

Please visit Sonya and see what we all are thankful for this week. I know that everyone can find at least 5 things that they are thankful for--great or small. Maybe you'd like to join in with us and share them!!

Beth

Weekly Memory Verse

Last week our memory verse was Psalm 30:5:

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

We were to memorize this verse, then come back next week and comment on how God spoke to you through this verse and then move on to a new verse.

So, I will share with you how God has spoken to me through this verse:

I know that I have done, said and even thought things that have made God angry with me. I know that I can go to Him for forgiveness and repent of these things--asking Him for help in battling particularly my thought processes that will sometimes lead me to say things that I really do not mean.

In going to God for forgiveness and beseeching Him for help with whatever issues I am facing, He then smiles upon me. He is always there for me, always--forever and ever--for my lifetime. And His anger has turned to joy in my coming to Him.

I cry in my sin--tears of sorrow, tears of self blame. I also cry when I truly have something mournful occur in my life. But, God is there to comfort me, to lead me onward, to help me see the way.

And then there is rejoicing--not only in myself--but in God and all of Heaven joining in! For the lost has once again been found.

I don't know about you, but every time I miss the mark, I feel as though I have let God down--once again. I feel as though I have stumbled and fell, slipped off my rock of Salvation for just a brief time. And then I have the feeling of being lost.

Where do I turn? Where do I go? What direction am I to take?

Turn to God. He always has the best answer. He will guide and direct me to the straight and narrow once again.

What are your thoughts on this verse? I really would like to read what you have thought about this week while memorizing this verse.

Next week's verse is:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature....Galatians 5:16

Beth

Laced With Grace

The team at "Laced with Grace" is starting the new year with a wonderful giveaway. This is one that I think we all could use in our day to day lives.

They are offering Tara Barthel's Peacemaking Church Women's Study: "Living the Gospel in Relationships."

This includes a DVD set as well as study guides filled with peacemaking principles on responding to conflict biblically. I think we could all use this!

Stop by Laced for Grace and see how you can enter to win this wonderful study.

Beth

Internet Cafe Chat

It's time to begin another new year with the Internet Cafe Chat. And here is Kim's question to start 2009:

What is the most important truth/lesson you feel God taught you in 2008? How will that truth change your life in 2009?

I read this question earlier this morning, and then spent some time in prayer and thought before answering. God has taught me a lot of truths regarding Himself this year, a lot of lessons--some of them through some rather painful pruning.

As I prayed, the answer that God gave me is that I am worthy, valuable, unconditionally loved by Him, and that my identity is in Jesus.

The enemy knows my weaknesses all too well. I have been feeling tired, drained, worn out and just plain exhausted for well over 2 months. What a better time to plan an attack--when your defenses are down and you are vulnerable?

Those old tapes began playing in my head because satan always begins in my thought processes. The tapes that said, "You are nothing, you will never do anything right, you will never succeed enough to please me, you must do _________(fill in the blank of the many things I was expected to do in my life) in order for me to love you" and the list could go on and on.

I have replaced those old tapes with video images of God--through His Word. I know that I am a true daughter of the King, and He loves me, cares for me, I am valuable to Him. Why? Just because I am HIS CHILD, a child that HE created out of love. He loved me first without me even knowing Him. How can I not return that love?

With a friend's help, we have personalized many verses to help me through these times of self-doubt, and I would like to share some of them with you:

John 1:12 BETH is God's daughter.

But Beth received Him, and to Beth He gave the right to become God's daughter, because Beth believes in His name.

John 15:5 BETH is a part of the true vine, and a channel of Christ's life.

I am the vine. Beth is a branch. If Beth remains in Me, and I in her, she will bear much fruit, for apart from Me, Beth can do nothing.

Rom. 8:17 BETH is a joint heir with Christ, she shares Christ's inheritance with Him.

And if a daughter, then an heir; an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ; if indeed Beth suffers with Him, that Beth may also be glorified with Him.

Col. 2:6-7 BETH is firmly rooted in Christ and she is being built up and established in Him.

As Beth received Christ Jesus, her Lord, she must walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, even as Beth was taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.

Col. 2:10 BETH has been made complete in Christ.

And in Him, Beth is made complete, who is the head of all principality and power

John 15:16 BETH has been chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.

Beth didn't choose Me, but I chose Beth, and appointed her, that she should go and bear fruit, and that her fruit should remain; that whatever Beth will ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to her.

Titus 3:5 BETH is washed and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Not by works of righteousness, which Beth did herself, but according to His mercy, He saved Beth, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

Eph. 1:7-8 BETH has been redeemed and forgiven and BETH is a recipient of His rich grace.

In Him Beth has her redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of Beth's trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward Beth in all wisdom and prudence.

Eph. 4:32 BETH has been forgiven in Christ.

And Beth is to be kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving others, just as God also in Christ forgave Beth.

There are many more--these are just some of the verses that we have personalized to help me through these times of old tape playing.

This year I have learned through the study of God's Word, applying His Word directly to myself, that I am indeed worthy, valuable, loved, chosen by God and forgiven by Him.

In this coming year, I intend to review these and many more verses, immersing myself in God's word and completely erase those old tapes--never to hear them again.

Stop by the Internet Cafe Chat and see others' responses for what is their most valuable lesson this year. In fact, why don't you join in and share? I'd love to read your response.

Beth

Living and Learning

Marsha at Marsha's Musings is hosting a chronological Bible reading. I had made a commitment to myself to read the entire Bible through this year, something that I have started and stopped in the past.

This reading will be of the Bible in the order of which events occurred. I don't own a chronological Bible, so I'll be jumping around a bit. If you'd like to join in, visit Marsha where she has the readings listed for each day. Be sure to leave her a comment if you're joining her.

As an update on the Weekly Memory Verse--how are those that decided to participate doing? Do you have the verse from Monday committed to your memory yet?

My thoughts on this: I have the verse committed to my memory. When Monday rolls around, I'll be posting on how God has spoken to me through this verse. I would really appreciate it if each of you would do the same in a comment and perhaps on your own blog also.

Then, we'll be given a new verse to memorize, study and hear God's voice speaking to us.

Hopefully, by Monday I'll be able to figure out Mr. Linky, and we can all link up together.

Now, I'm off to read my assignment for today!! I really hope you'll be joining in with both of these ventures. This is a wonderful way to start the new year--steeping ourselves in God's Word.

Beth