There Is Healing

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
(Proverbs 4:20-22 * NLT)

I was listening to this song yesterday while out for my run.  I listened to it over and over for 40 minutes and just let the words sink in to my soul.  I've listened to this song so many times over the years, but yesterday it took on a whole new meaning.  I can't even explain it, and for what it means to me, it will mean something entirely different to each one of you.  

Maybe you think of physical healing when you hear this song, or maybe emotional. Maybe you are thinking you don't even know the healing that having Jesus as your personal Saviour can bring. Maybe you're thinking you don't know what kind of healing you need...but you know that you need something. If you need prayer or want to know more about a personal relationship with a loving, living God leave me a comment and I will be in touch with you.

 ~Healing~by Iona

You've returned like some unsung hero
With nothing in your hand
How can a flower grow in the desert
How can a boy grow in a wasteland
There is healing

A time will come when the pain will go
A time will come when love will flow
A time will come when your heart will know
Healing

Someone paints you a view of Heaven
Someone touches your hand
There can be life for your warrior spirit
There can be freedom in this wasteland
There is healing
There is healing

A time will come when the pain will go
A time will come when love will flow
A time will come when your heart will know
Healing

I watch you wait for the pain to go
I watch you wait for love to flow
I watch you wait for your heart to know
Healing

A time will come when the pain will go
A time will come when love will flow
A time will come when your heart will know
Healing



Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke:
You're blessed when you've lost it all.
God's kingdom is there for the finding.
You're blessed when you're ravenously hungry.
Then you're ready for the Messianic meal.
You're blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.
(Luke 16: 17-21 * The Message)

Just The Right Words

Answer To Prayer ~ Trace Balin

So many people
Will be down on their knees tonight

Seeking directions
For which road to choose
Or strength for the fight
And when they rise up
Trust in His word
Standin', believin'
Their prayer has been heard
Their eyes will open wide
For a sign they may see

Like a light in the darkness
A song in the night
Just the right words
At just the right time
Tomorrow, today
You may be someone's answer to prayer

The very moment
We are willing to say "here I am"
We step out of our happenstance world
Into His perfect plan
Where nothing's left
To chance or to whim
People to people
Is where it begins
To be His voice of hope
Or the touch of His hand

So when I'm out of touch
I'm missing twice as much
The blessings He has for me
That keep me true to His will
Always faithful and still
Somebody waits for me

Chosen to carry anytime, anywhere
A message from heaven the Lord has prepared
Tomorrow, today
You may be someone's answer to prayer

People to people is where it begins
Today, right now you are their answer

Because Love Never Fails
Sometimes The Answer Comes When You Let Go

Pushed To My Knees

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 * The Message)
 
God, I am on my knees because that is the only place left for me to go. Why does it always take so long and so many issues happening in life to get there?  Thank you for your constant pursuit of me and for allowing me to be weak so that I may find strength in you.  Lately it seems to be an almost daily fight but I am not going to stop.  Realizing that I was created an imperfect human who will get it wrong most days but thankful for the grace and mercy of the cross. Even in those moments when there are things coming at me from all sides, I will keep running for the prize~living to glorify you.
 
I am on my knees, in awe of your infallible love for me.  

Our annual camping trip to Ludington State Park

Well, this camping trip went much better than the last one.  Nobody got food poisoning and with the exception of a few cuts, bumps and bruises we all were relatively injury free.

We were very, very busy during our 5 days there.  From swimming to floating down the river to riding bikes, hiking, visiting the lighthouse, more swimming, fishing.  We did not sit and relax much...of course with 5 kids is there ever a time we relax?  =)

I had hopes that I would be able to get away to think and have some much needed quiet time but that did not happen.  I didn't even have a chance to run.  I felt like we were in constant 'go' mode!  The boys had an absolute blast!!

Let Go and Let God

"If it isn't broken, don't fix it". So, what do you do when something is broken, you've tried to 'fix' it but it just isn't working? A friendship that has been such a big part of my life is broken, to be quite honest it's dead. Over the past many months I have just kept putting my blinders on. Day after day I would keep telling myself that "they're just really busy right now". "They will call to get together" but no phone call has come. I have tried to 'fix' things but apparently my 'repairs' are futile.

I don't know why it is so hard for me to let it go. Maybe because I went through one of the deepest, darkest times in my life with these people and I thought they were really some of the best friends I could have ever been blessed to have. Maybe because they have been a part of my life for so long. First as amazing friends doing things together with just us adults, and then adding all of our children into the mix. Maybe it is because I need them, and want them to be a part of my life but they're not interested and I just have such a hard time believing we're done.

The signs have been there for a long time, I have just been unwilling to admit to them.  To realize I am no longer a part their lives, no longer needed as a friend breaks my heart. I will just be a causal acquaintance saying a sweet 'hello' as we pass in the halls at school, or in the aisles of a neighborhood store.

I don't know what God's plan is for the future but I need to give the control up to Him now. I realize the joy has been in the journey shared with these wonderful people over these past many, many years. To know that loving is Never for nothing. I need to rest assured that I love them, I was blessed to have them be a part of my life and the life of my family. I won't ever give up on them, but I will let go and let God because I think that is the only way my heart will heal.

The vacation that was not a vacation...

So, after being so excited for our 1st camping trip of the season we were all never so happy to be home. The weather was cool and rainy at times.  We easily could have been in jeans most days but instead opted for shorts w/sweatshirts...after all it is Summer!  If that was the only down side to our week away we could have dealt just fine with that!  However, on day 5 of our trip we left Platte River to head up to the Soo.  We stopped for gas and a bite to eat at Wendy's...BIG mistake.  Let's just say food poisoning in a 26 foot 'tin can' (our name for our trailer) was about the worst thing that could happen hours from home.  I will spare all the terrible details.

We did manage to take pictures of some happy memories that took place on a few of the days.

4 minutes 11 seconds...

Perspective...what's yours?  I know mine could certainly use adjustment on any given day.  Satan's attacks can be strong.  Telling me I'm not good enough, I don't matter and I'm not loved.  Then I see Nick full of GLOWING JOY when he could be at the bottom of a hole.  What an encouragement and a reminder to check our heads, our hearts and to really seek an answer to the question: What and who are we living for?