Thursday, September 29, 2011

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy

I have come that they may have life
and have it to the full.



Thursday, September 22, 2011

Everything Good

This song brought tears to my eyes this morning.  
God is SO incredibly good.  All the time.  I don't have to look very far to see that in all things, each moment of my life He is in complete control. He wraps me up and holds me close. I don't see the big picture, but He does! Oh how glorious that I am able to walk in the shadow of His grace.

You are EVERYTHING GOOD LORD!!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Busted Heart

The first time I heard this song last week I was hooked right from the title.  Busted heart?  Yup, been there. Still there. Will be there again many times as I live my life out on earth, caught up in God's saving grace. I think that many people think Christians live in this bubble where life is perfect, and when it's not we certainly never dare admit it!!  We most certainly better never admit to struggling, questioning, doubting. Being angry, hurt, admitting that we are selfish and flawed.  That we struggle with the enemy every single day.

God's grace is so much bigger than all of that.  ALL. OF. IT.

The Greatness of God is so much bigger than All. Of. Me.

Today was just a weird day. I know I haven't shared many specific details of how things have been since the loss of our baby this Summer.  My body just is having a very hard time healing and getting regulated. There are several issues that are ongoing and the days are beginning to get long.  Of all things I had to go in to the Doctors office for a pregnancy test today. While I knew it would be negative I must admit I did, for a brief moment (ok...several moments) entertain the idea that maybe...just maybe it would be positive?  And wouldn't that be just like God to do something that incredibly huge in my life, because right now I sincerely doubt if we will ever be blessed with another pregnancy. Sometimes my hope just gets lost in all the stuff that cannot seem to be resolved.  Of course Satan saw it as another opportunity to get right into my head, planting thoughts that don't belong there.  Lies. Telling me that I did not deserve to have another baby because I wasn't a good parent to the 5 I already have.  Amazing how sneaky He can be. What he uses and who to try to break me. 

I know that I need to be conformed by God's will and not have my will conform to what I want God to do with my life. If His will is to leave me in this season of being unhealed then I will remain here, because it is for a purpose.  If His will is to leave my womb empty then I will still praise Him for the incredibly good things He has given.   Am I praying differently and believing that He will rescue me, of course!  Will I still struggle and cry, and at times be unsure of the path He's paved before me~you bet.  But I will take my busted heart and still give Him all the glory.

He is worthy, I am not.  Yet he gave His most precious gift~the blood of Jesus so that I may live this life with Him. 

So, in a nutshell that is where I am and what I am struggling with. If you would like to uplift me in prayer that would be awesome!! I have several Doctor's appointments coming up in the next few weeks and hopefully we can get things turned around! Also, I didn't mention this but I am having some physical issues with my hips and am pretty much unable to run. (That is just another thing the devil is using to keep me away from God.) So, if you could pray about that too and hopefully my physical therapy exercises I was given a few years ago will start helping.  Otherwise that will be another appointment to add to the list!!




For King & Country - Busted Heart (Hold On To Me)

Winter has come back again
Feels like the season won't end
My faith is dying tonight
And I won't try to pretend

I've got it all figured out
I don't have any doubts
I've got a busted heart
I need You now
Yeah, I need You now

(Chorus)

Hold on to me, hold on to me
Don't let me lose my way
Hold on to me

I am the wandering son
Your love is never enough
I keep chasing the wind
Instead of chasing Your love

I'm screaming out Your name
Don't let me fall on my face
I've got a busted heart
I'm in need of a change
I'm desperate for grace

Hold on to me, take all of me
Don't let me lose my way
Hold on to me

Broke Your heart a thousand times
But You've never left my side
You have always been here for me

You never let me go
You never let me go
Don't ever let me go

Hold on to me, hold on to me
Don't let me lose my way
Hold on to me
Hold on to me, take all of me
Don't let me lose my way
Hold on to me

Until it comes to an end
Soon this season will end
I'll surrender tonight
You meet me right where I am

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Greatness Of Our God

I'll spend my life to know, I'm far from close to all you are.  The greatness of our God.



Thursday, September 15, 2011

No Words To Share

Just letting the words of this song minister to my heart.  It's aching, and the tears oh the tears. 








Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Basket Full Of Encouragement

In 1993 while working at the Conference Grounds, I was introduced to warm fuzzies. (Wow...typing that made me realize just how long ago that was and just how OLD I am!!!) 

BEST. THINGS. EVER!!!


That is the Summer I learned what it meant to encourage someone.  Spontaneous, generous and freely given words of encouragement. A few moments taken to edify someone in Christ for the person they are, the work they do, the light they shine. What they mean in my life.

Words have an impact. They can build someone up, or they can tear them down. They can encourage or discourage. Why is it that we are constantly searching for a blessing, instead of being one?

My encouragement basket.
Warm fuzzies I collected over
the years while working at the
Conference Grounds. 


Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:8-9  NLT


Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29  NLT


Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose. Proverbs 18:21 * The Message


May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NLT


The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse. Proverbs 10:11 * The Message


Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT


We must not just please ourselves.  We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. Romans 15:1-2 NLT


So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Romans 14:19 NLT

Don't know how to encourage someone? Sit down, grab a piece of paper (or send an e-mail) and write from your heart. Tell them what they mean/have meant to you. Encourage them in their profession. Encourage them in their families. Encourage them during times of struggle. Encourage them during times of joy.  Pray for them on paper.  Many times I will pray for the words that person needs to hear and the Holy Spirit gives me the words to say.

Don't wait. Pray for God to show you someone that needs encouragement~and then go encourage. You will get blessed!!!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Remind Me Who I Am

I absolutely love the message in this song/video!

If you need a dose of encouragement as to
who you are in Christ you need to watch this!


I am God's beloved and that will be enough.


 ~BELOVED~
dearly loved : dear to the heart
Synonyms:
darling; favored; cherished; fond; precious; special


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Conference Grounds Blessings


I am blessed to have grown up camping here.
I am blessed that God grew me over the six Summers I worked here.
I am blessed to be able to share this place with my family.



Saturday, September 3, 2011

From Whom All Blessings Flow

God's amazing tapestry
Christian Reformed Conference Grounds
August 2011


Praise God!
Praise God!
Praise God, who saved my soul.
Praise God!
Praise God!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.