Pray for us dear ones

Justin and I could use prayer. Please pray for us and our family. We really appreciate you ralling for us. God will hear the cries and we thank you for the help!

Change it or forget about it!

If it is true what they say about you - do something about it. If it is not true, forget it! -Croft M Pentz
Why do we wrap so much of ourselves in what others think, why do others think they know our hearts and motives? Why when we hurt do we want fairness and justice? God loves justice, certainly but he's forgiving, too. Sometimes we forget that they go together, sometimes we just are so glad 'they got theirs,' or are still waiting for them 'to get theirs,' that we have forgotten to forgive. And we end up being the ones suffering the whole time, an injustice we put ourselves through. I spent time in this bondage and it's horrible. It made me ugly and to those that loved on me during this time, thank God for your encouragement. Thank you for not turning your backs on the monster I had become.

There is good and bad in all of us, we are all precious as we are. I'm glad that God will convict us when we are wrong and teach us, and I'm glad that his forgiveness come quickly and his love is so strong, I am blown away.

I was reading n Hosea today, chapter 11 to be exact. God's love is great, greater than I can even grasp, mind blowing depth. I cried at how much MY sin devastates him, I wish all the black parts of my heart were cut out, never to grow again. How can he forgive me after all I have done? It is more than I can understand or grasp but I feel called to try my best to extend that forgiveness to others. I know my best, isn't even close so I pray that the Holy Spirit will help me extend that grace to others.

My heart was hurt so badly then, I wasn't even letting God in to heal it. I had to keep it bound and let it hurt so I could remember the injustices done to me and in the end I suffered. I am sure God was heart sick, wanting to help me heal and desperately wanting me to forgive so I could move on.

You cannot build your mansion in heaven with mud you throw at others. -Croft M Pentz
Don't let what others have done or do to you, get in the way of the grace God extends you. Don't get caught in the trap of "do unto others as they do unto you." REMEMBER, it's is really do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Take those hurts to God, not to your friends, that is a lie the evil one feeds us, 'you have to tell someone.' If you are telling God, you have told more than someone, you have told the God of the universe and he can do something about it!

Tattletale to God...it's okay and RIGHT!

So at Bible study this past week, someone said to tattle to God. I really liked it and it seems like a great idea so I started. I just out and out whine to him. Sadly, I have learned something VERY scary about myself and for the record, I DON'T like it. I would rather call my aunt Sue or my friend and tell them what I am supposed to be tattling to God. I suppose in some sick way I think it makes me look better but it doesn't. It trashes the other person, who may have had something horrible going one, or didn't mean at all what I thought was meant by their actions and words and to top it off, lets everyone listening to me trashing that person know that I may in due time do it to them. I say 'trashing' because when you only show the negative side of others, I think that is trashing. My husband is a good man, if we have a conflict and I call my friend to share how badly he acted on one isolated occaision and she hasn't been around us to know him, I have tainted her opinion and thoughts about my husband. His goodness may not ever be able to be seen by her and I am sad just at the thought of that. I need to repent of many times I was unrighteous in this area, and I pray that others who are hearing the trashing/gossiping that we sometimes engage in will stop it by encouraging prayer at that moment. Pray for healing the hurts, letting the spirit guide our tounges and the other person, lift them up to the heavens so God will hear and help.

The bible gives clear rules on how to deal with conflict. Check out Matthew 18:15-20
A Brother Who Sins Against You
15"If your brother sins against you,[a] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'[b] 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[c]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Here is my resolution, now it's on the web for all to see and hold me accountable to.
So until I am ready to go to the person I am upset with, I will stick with tattling to God and LISTEN as he will speak to me and counsel me. I won't gossip(it can become that, especially sice we can't know anothers heart) or slander others, I will forgive and lovc. I love how easy it seems right now. I really think it is an ugly attribute and I want to change...pray for me. Encourage me.

I just read this quote and I think it is awesome! "You cannot build your mansion in heaven with mud you throw at others." -Croft M Pentz

BUY Literature written by those abiding in Christ....

Hey I needed to get up on my soap box and say(to all my book junkies out there) support the Christian authors of this world! There are so many and they are truely amazing! They write everything from mysteries, to love stories and even daily devotionals. Here are a few of my favorites:

Stephanie Cherry's Patina -Great daily wash in the word, bits to chew and savor. Love it! 40 daily glimpse of God and all his splendor.
www.stephaniecherry.com

Tricia Goyer-I really dig the Shadow of Treason Series(Historical Fiction) 3 book series. I enjoyed the twists ans turns and learning about the Spanish Civil War, which I never knew existed. I also love her GeX parenting and marriage books. I relate to the 80s music themes:)
http://www.triciagoyer.com/

Susan May Warren writes some fun romance novels and others(though I have only the romance ones) I enoyed the heart warming stories of Josie.
http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

Lisa Tawn Bergen She has a delightful childrens books series called God gave us. The stories are endearing and my boys love the story and the illustrations...These are some of our favorites.
http://www.lisatawnbergren.com/

Justin's Pick:
Ed Dunlops The terrestria Chonicles. He says he can't wait for the boys and he to enjoy them together. In this series the reader catches a glimpse of the almighty power of the King emmanuel and the wondrous future that awaits his children in the Golden City. It is meant for ages 10 and up! Justin read all 7 boom, boom, boom! http://www.dunlopministries.com/

Faith Driven Family by Voddie Baucham Jr very inspiring to see the truth told and so bold! May this book bless your the way it is ours...http://www.familydrivenfaith.org/Home.html

This a short list. I am beat and there are SO many to choose from. From God all Good things come...Psalm 1. I believe whole heartidly that buying books written by those who are striving to walk with God and fulfill his calling in their life, you will read richer material and be entertained and feel the presence of God and walk away feeling good about what you read(whether it for enjoyment or information) and you will be satisfied knowing you are helping God's people. You are helping to support their families and their missions. The more we encourage Christian authors to write by purchasing, the more Glory God gets....and praise be to the the king!

The shame of it

Don't you hate it when you know what you should be doing , and what to do but don't? Okay so maybe that's only me...continulously! The lousy thing is right now my quiet time with the Lord is getting jilted and I need to take it back!

One thing I notice in the abscense of my quiet time is my black, black heart is wicked and how much I need the mercy and grace of Jesus and his truth to wash over me and cloak me. I am a very good sinner as most of you know. The real actualization God has given me in the abscene of quiet time is that I actually don't feel as secure in anything, having those guidleines or plumb lines(Justin will like that) is actually a better feeling. Sure sometimes they are uncomfortable and as the Holy Spirit reveals more and I gain more understanding the less uncomfortable those truths feel. The world can get more uncomforable and I feel a bit feakish even now as I write. WithoutGod's truth you wrap yourself in the worldly lies and CAUTION dear ones, how deceitful and easy to convince ourselves that the lie is really okay.

Our life group is reading, Faith Driven Family by Voddie. It has been a challenge for Justin and I and has given us many bits to chew, try to swallow and chew some more. Each chapter and even sometimes page after page I am convicted(just when I thought I may be good too!) My point in throwing this in here is, our kids do better when they have guidelines and consistancy. Don't let the world tell you it's to harsh to: say no, not buy every toy they want, to spank . You are doing your kids a favor whne they are walking between the lines. The bible puts things in black and white, we see the grey and those are the lies of the world. The world has greyed things up but I believe with all my heart that the Bible sets easy to follow guidelines that everyone can read and understand. If I am learning anything at all, it's I am going to be saving a LOT of money on book buying. I have the number 1 best seller for all the life situations right here beside me, well it's probably not the best seller and that really is the shame of it. Run out get yourself a Bible if you don't have one and if you do start using it! It has the answers to life in it, so now I should practice what I preach and take 10 minutes just me and God to catch up. His love be on you!

Write it down Right Now!

How many times have you told someone that you would pray for them, but didn't write it down and in turn forgot to actually pray specifically for them? Well I am guilty on all counts. I have thrown up the, "And God, please remember those people whom I pledged prayer but can't actually remember who and for what. Just work in thier lives, Father so they see you and love you." I want to encourage you to do better than this! Allow God to work in amazing ways for you and through you and how you might be asking, pray for it!

Get something to write in that is compact enough you can always have it with you. When you tell someone you would like to prayer for their situation or need, write it down so you can focus your prayer. When someone asks you for prayer, write it down so that you can remember their specific needs and lift them up to God. Make it part of your daily prayer time and create a habbit of lifting someone up while waiting at the drive thru for your coffee or other times where their is spare moments(could become the most meaningful bowel movements you have had:))

I remember learning that when some people say, "I will pray for you," they actually mean they are going to ask God on my behalf about a specific situation, and not just some random, 'and bless all my friends, help them find the strengths in their struggles(which I think is better than no prayer at all).' It happend two Octobers ago. I was telling the women in Bible study, that we needed prayer for our home to sell in SD, all these women whipped out paper, journals, pens and sticky notes to write down my request. They were all committed to my prevailing prayer. The Women's bible study ladies even included it in our opening and closing prayer each week, reminding me that my request was on their hearts and minds and they were lifting us up. I remember being a bit awstruct at the whole idea that people were repeatidly praying for our needs. It wasn't just something someone said, they would open their journals and remember me each time they prayed. God heard our names so much, he mercifully delivered us from that house and our prayer was answered.

Before October two years ago, I often told people, 'you are in my thoughts and prayers' but what that really translated to was, "God bless all my friends and family I am praying for, you know their hearts and needs, please help them." But now I sincerely try to remember by writing down others needs and lifting them up daily. My new problem is when do you stop praying for someone? Well when it prevails and God answers like Heather Linde's pregnancy!!! Now I will switch gears and pray for healthy pregnancy and delivery!

I must praise God for the many blessings he has given me. I notice a difference in my connection with the spirit. My relationship and my need for God has deepened and I feel him speak to me more readily or is it that I am listening? I think he and I have grown to be wonderful friends these past two years and most of that is because of prayer. It doesn't feel dutiful but delightful to have the maker of all things console me, laugh with me, speak to me and validate me. Paul says, in 1 Thessolonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. I get that now. I used to think how could you do that? Well instead of reading the tabloids, pray for those people on the covers, intercede for them and allow God to do amazing works. Instead of gossiping, ask to offer prayer up for those who are struggling and having diffidculties(Matt 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.") WE should bite our tounges instead of letting it bite others. You might feel weird in the beginning but the holy spirit is there and there is no feeling better than that of worshipping the Lord. Praise God for all that you see, thank him for the beautiful trees, flowers and buildings. I often talk to God(prayer) outloud so my kids can hear and I try to openly model my thoughts, and it works! Leaving bible study a few weeks ago, Steven offered up, "Hey! look at that squirrel in the tree! thank you God for the trees." I added, "yes, God than you for the beautiful trees and my beautiful boys!" Amen

Last weekend, Justin and I prayed together about a specific situation that I was feeling much anguist and saddness over, with in 15 minutes God answered that specific prayer with a specific answer!

God bless the intercessors of this world, for they are amazing! They devote hours a day to praying for needs of others, both those they have been asked to pray for and those they haven't(which I believe is the coolest thing ever!) In the book of Nehemiah it talks about how he,Nehemiah, identified the people's sins and prayed prayers of repentance for the people, asking for the Lords mercy and forgivenesss all without being asked. Even cooler is what happens, check it out in your Bible!

The Southern word for 'go potty, pee pee, or bathroom' is 'tee tee.' Yes I typed it correctly. All my northern friends and family are having the same reaction I did, "What?" with a confused, furrowed brow. So. I have been wondering where the weird word came from and thanks to Stephanie Cherry and the urban dictionary for this:
Here's what Steph found in the Urban Dictionary:
tee tee
(verb) A very genteel southern term for urination. Used for both sexes in childhood, used by women throughout their lives. Tee tee comes from the tee-hiny. A person who would use this term would never let the coarsely vulgar "pee" ever cross their lips.
tee-hiny
(noun) The tee-hiny is the nether region of the body, particularly for women and girls. I have never heard this term in reference to males, but that's not to say it doesn't exist. It isn't just the vagina, it's the "bottom" plus any other places "down there." This term is used almost exclusively in the south by the very genteel but anatomically disinterested. Its origins are unknown, but it's common in South Louisiana, where "Tee" is a French/Cajun term meaning "little." So it could be translated as "little hiny/hinie/hiney."The main product of the tee-hiny is tee-tee. No nice lady in the south would ever say "pee." It is considered extremely vulgar, probably worse than the "F" word. Again, it's not just the vagina because everybody knows you don't tee-tee from your vagina. You tee-tee from your tee-hiny.

SO I guess if you hear 'pee pee' come flying out of my mouth it may be to make someone upset:) FYI I have asked everyone I have heard used this term over the past 2 years and not one person had any idea where it came from. I have potty on the brain as Steven should be but he isn't, he told me today, "I yike diapers, I pee, you change it." I think it's time to take some serious action with the potty training. He was doing so good for so long. We have been using disposables now since we went on our trip, I think when we go back to cloth that will help.

Okay now for a bit deeper thought. I continued reading in Matthew today and read through his crucifixion. I wept thinking about how terrible Peter must have felt after betraying Jesus. I too have betrayed him a in different ways and how easy to say if I had been in his Peter's shoes I would not have faltered but I can think of times where I have. I have been in similar shoes, and how my heart breaks at the realization of it. My first thoughts of this day were focused on Matthew 40-41.
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep
watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Oh how I can relate especially right now as I struggle with my weight and overall health. All the more reason to pray without seizing!

My thoughts today are centered around this thought as a whole. Christ came here for ME(and YOU!), a broken person, with a messy life. Christmas is a time to remember the gift God gave us. A perfect God giving his perfect LOVE to this imperfect world! Which makes me want to conclude this with prayer because I am moved again just typing this thought.

Thank you God for sending your son, our savior to heal our broken hearts and help us clean up our messy lives. Help us to learn from Christ's life and example and help us to open our hearts and have faith that you will heal our broken places. Thank you for this life, thank you for my many blessings and thank you for Jesus. In Jesus Christ name, Amen!