"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30
When times get hard, I sometimes think that life can't get any worse. I forget that the trying of my faith worketh patience. I think that my life is horrible (wow, I know I know). I fight really hard to not go into a depression or a "funk" but sometimes I cannot help it. I give in and cave right in there. These last two weeks have been very trying for me. During these trying times, we are easily acceptable to have a party - a pity party. "Oh poor me. Why does this always happen to me," and so on.
But then here comes God. He gets frustrated or annoyed with us I think. Because He says, "YOu think you got it bad? Come on." Then our eyes are opened to other people who we think have it all together. We see people are being unfairly accused, or mistreated, or abused, or so poor they can barely eat. We see things that we KNOW we could not handle in life. We thank God that our crosses are easier to bare. But are we really thankful? Are we really thankful for the things in our lives that God has blessed us with? Are we thankful for the little things? Are we thankful for tests and trials because they make us better? Are we thankful for the darts of the enemy because we know we are doing something right in the Lord? In general, instead of whining and having pity parties, shouldn't we be thanking God for the air we breathe and the life we have?
Well, I for one am tired of being inadequate and unthankful. I'm very tired of my whiny ways. I think I am an Israelite. I want the promised land and the blessings, but I whine and complain. So here is my goal for the next week. I am going to be thankful in all things, and I am going to not complain.
I know, my friends, that sounds like a hard thing to do, but I believe that God can help me to achieve it. He has good plans for me. He has plans to prosper me. I will think and speak what God wants for me to do. I will no longer look at my problems, but instead the fixer of the problems. I will no longer worry about things beyond my control and give it to the Lord. I will be thankful in all things.
God help me achieve this goal. Thank You Lord. To You be all glory and honor forever.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
When life gets us down
"So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
What a week! Sometimes we think we can become invincible and that nothing can get us down. Who are we fooling anyway? Certainly not ourselves - because even an idiot would know that when we think we become invincible either the Lord or Satan will knock us off our pedestal to show us how little we really are. The Lord will use it to shape our character, and the enemy just wants to knock us down.
My brother-in-law was in a terrible car accident on Thursday evening while driving to town. They tried and we all prayed, and unfortunately they had to take his leg yesterday. When my husband told me about this, all I could think of was how sorry I felt. I cried, and I felt so bad for Nanu. My husband was happy. I couldn't believe it.
Why? Nanu is the epitomy of energy. Whenever my kids have a birthday party (almost always held at Lisa's Gymnastics), the adults sit around, drink coffee and hang out. Nanu? No. He's with the kids and jumping on the trampoline. He jumps so high, and to impress us he does flips. I've never seen a man in his mid twenties be able to do flips on a trampoline. Besides the parties, Nanu is always going to the gym, playing basketball, playing the drums on the worship team, helping people move, drives everywhere, and helps out whenever anyone asks. So when many of his dreams have been shattered due to this loss how can my husband be so happy about it?
I didn't ask him point blank, I didn't want to seem rude. But I sat back and I pondered his words for awhile. When we got the call late Thursday night and were woken up, we did not know what happened or the extent of the injuries. You see, I laid in bed all night long trying to sleep while my husband was quietly interceding next to me on the bed. He was trying so hard not to worry, but worry crept in and claimed him anyway. Don't get me wrong, I prayed too. But I felt that at 1:30 in the morning, God knew my heart and had heard my prayers, and I went back to sleep while Ruben charged on in the spirit realm. It wasn't until Friday morning before we heard anything, and we found out Nanu was still in surgery. The doctors were trying to save his leg. Ruben was relieved. So as I am looking with the natural eyes of what Nanu cannot do, my husband is looking with spiritual eyes as to what God can do.
Nanu should have died in that car. More than once the enemy has come to try to steal his life. My husband sees a life that was saved! My husband sees a testimony of how God can make the impossible possible. My husband is just so happy that he still has his brother here on this planet for a little while longer. Sure, life will be tough for awhile as Nanu recovers and learns how to maneuver without his leg. But he will be reminded how God loves him, and spared him. He still has work to do on this earth and his time is not up yet.
I am reminded of Jacob here. I know it is not the same thing. I know Nanu wasn't phyically wrestling with God. But, Jacob had a purpose, and even though he was lame in his latter life, he knew he had a purpose for God. His limp reminded him of his purpose and the blessings which were to follow him. I know God has a lot instore for my brother-in-law. And I know that blessings will pour down on him. I think we can all thank God for the miracles so far in this situation.
As for us, I thank God he has brought us through this week. This has been a tough week. I mean we all speed, and we all make minor mistakes while driving. This could have happened to anyone. We all hurt when a family member hurts. But I know I do not need to fear life because God is with us and will strengthen us. Thank you, Lord for Your promises.
Have a blessed week!
What a week! Sometimes we think we can become invincible and that nothing can get us down. Who are we fooling anyway? Certainly not ourselves - because even an idiot would know that when we think we become invincible either the Lord or Satan will knock us off our pedestal to show us how little we really are. The Lord will use it to shape our character, and the enemy just wants to knock us down.
My brother-in-law was in a terrible car accident on Thursday evening while driving to town. They tried and we all prayed, and unfortunately they had to take his leg yesterday. When my husband told me about this, all I could think of was how sorry I felt. I cried, and I felt so bad for Nanu. My husband was happy. I couldn't believe it.
Why? Nanu is the epitomy of energy. Whenever my kids have a birthday party (almost always held at Lisa's Gymnastics), the adults sit around, drink coffee and hang out. Nanu? No. He's with the kids and jumping on the trampoline. He jumps so high, and to impress us he does flips. I've never seen a man in his mid twenties be able to do flips on a trampoline. Besides the parties, Nanu is always going to the gym, playing basketball, playing the drums on the worship team, helping people move, drives everywhere, and helps out whenever anyone asks. So when many of his dreams have been shattered due to this loss how can my husband be so happy about it?
I didn't ask him point blank, I didn't want to seem rude. But I sat back and I pondered his words for awhile. When we got the call late Thursday night and were woken up, we did not know what happened or the extent of the injuries. You see, I laid in bed all night long trying to sleep while my husband was quietly interceding next to me on the bed. He was trying so hard not to worry, but worry crept in and claimed him anyway. Don't get me wrong, I prayed too. But I felt that at 1:30 in the morning, God knew my heart and had heard my prayers, and I went back to sleep while Ruben charged on in the spirit realm. It wasn't until Friday morning before we heard anything, and we found out Nanu was still in surgery. The doctors were trying to save his leg. Ruben was relieved. So as I am looking with the natural eyes of what Nanu cannot do, my husband is looking with spiritual eyes as to what God can do.
Nanu should have died in that car. More than once the enemy has come to try to steal his life. My husband sees a life that was saved! My husband sees a testimony of how God can make the impossible possible. My husband is just so happy that he still has his brother here on this planet for a little while longer. Sure, life will be tough for awhile as Nanu recovers and learns how to maneuver without his leg. But he will be reminded how God loves him, and spared him. He still has work to do on this earth and his time is not up yet.
I am reminded of Jacob here. I know it is not the same thing. I know Nanu wasn't phyically wrestling with God. But, Jacob had a purpose, and even though he was lame in his latter life, he knew he had a purpose for God. His limp reminded him of his purpose and the blessings which were to follow him. I know God has a lot instore for my brother-in-law. And I know that blessings will pour down on him. I think we can all thank God for the miracles so far in this situation.
As for us, I thank God he has brought us through this week. This has been a tough week. I mean we all speed, and we all make minor mistakes while driving. This could have happened to anyone. We all hurt when a family member hurts. But I know I do not need to fear life because God is with us and will strengthen us. Thank you, Lord for Your promises.
Have a blessed week!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Children!
My how our children make our days - or not. I love my children with my entire being. I really do. There is nothing to remind how much you love them as finding out one of them fell off one of those moon walk slides and you have to take her to the ER to make sure she's okay. (Thank God it was just a sprained elbow.) Or when you take your daughter to the doctor for a cold and find out she's been suffering from asthma attacks (she's fine too), or finally, having your baby sent to a hospital in Chicago because the doctors can't help her go to the bathroom and she's in misery (she ended up healed as well).
Whew, why do these kids try to cause us so much worry when the Lord specifically said to not worry in the new testament? Is it a test? Is it a trial? Is it for the shaping of our character? Or maybe, just maybe God wants us to lean on Him and trust in Him. I for one must really need to learn to do that. My oldest was diagnosed with Asthma, and she has barely suffered at all this year. My middle child, Gabby, fell off the moon walk on Friday at a birthday party, and only sprained her elbow. Thank the Lord for that because we all (including the doctors) thought it was fractured. And Elis had a long time battle with her bowels -from the time of birth - and has some how miraculously overcome it.
So I am learning to lean upon the Lord without much understanding because His ways are not my ways, and they are past my understanding. All I know is through every trial and test that I have gone through, I have come out of it. Some I won, and some I didn't come out so well in. However, I have come out none the less. I would have won them all if I obeyed the Word each time and trusted in my God without worry. Worry just seems to follow some of us.
I started to worry a little on Sunday about this house hunting thing. It's taking so much longer than I anticipated. But a wonderful, wise woman (my pastor's wife) reminded me that I know better than that (to have that attitude). She reminded me that God knows what is best for me and He has everything planned and picked out. I just need to (ugh) WAIT on Him and put my trust in Him.
If I take her advice, then He takes the worry away and He takes my cares upon Himself. So I will trust in the Lord with all my heart, and I will not lean on my own understanding. I will not worry about what I cannot accomplish today - because if He can take care of a little sparrow, then I know He can take care of me.
Gina
Whew, why do these kids try to cause us so much worry when the Lord specifically said to not worry in the new testament? Is it a test? Is it a trial? Is it for the shaping of our character? Or maybe, just maybe God wants us to lean on Him and trust in Him. I for one must really need to learn to do that. My oldest was diagnosed with Asthma, and she has barely suffered at all this year. My middle child, Gabby, fell off the moon walk on Friday at a birthday party, and only sprained her elbow. Thank the Lord for that because we all (including the doctors) thought it was fractured. And Elis had a long time battle with her bowels -from the time of birth - and has some how miraculously overcome it.
So I am learning to lean upon the Lord without much understanding because His ways are not my ways, and they are past my understanding. All I know is through every trial and test that I have gone through, I have come out of it. Some I won, and some I didn't come out so well in. However, I have come out none the less. I would have won them all if I obeyed the Word each time and trusted in my God without worry. Worry just seems to follow some of us.
I started to worry a little on Sunday about this house hunting thing. It's taking so much longer than I anticipated. But a wonderful, wise woman (my pastor's wife) reminded me that I know better than that (to have that attitude). She reminded me that God knows what is best for me and He has everything planned and picked out. I just need to (ugh) WAIT on Him and put my trust in Him.
If I take her advice, then He takes the worry away and He takes my cares upon Himself. So I will trust in the Lord with all my heart, and I will not lean on my own understanding. I will not worry about what I cannot accomplish today - because if He can take care of a little sparrow, then I know He can take care of me.
Gina
Monday, April 2, 2007
Weekly Courage
Another Monday morning. I can't believe how fast time flies. Spring break was fun but not nearly long enough. I loved not having to run my kids and the kids I watch everywhere. It was nice to get caught up on other things and go on outings.
However, vacation time is over. It is time for life to present itself and there is much to do. Thankfully, I can face this Monday knowing my God is with me. I can face this week knowing that my God is giving me strength and courage. He tells me in his Word that He is with me with each step I take. He is with me with each cookie I bake. He is there to watch me make a mistake, and to guide me to fix it. He is there to forgive me when I sin, and to love me inspite of all of my faults. He is there at night when I go to sleep. I love that. My Lord is always here.
I better make sure I am always aware of Him being there. Sometimes we can forget that. When we forget that He is always there, we open doors to make decisions that will affect us and can possibly hurt us and Him as well. By remembering that He is ALWAYS there, we can make better decisions. If we still make the wrong ones knowing He is there, then there is still rebellion in us and we need to check ourselves.
But I am encouraged because His Word leaves us with some encouraing scriptures to guide us and to help us remember that He is always there:
"So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strenghten you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous hand." - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Wow. Praise the Lord for that. He will strengthen me and help me. Thank You, Lord for that promise I intend to make sure I receive!!! I can be strengthened any time I need it by remembering this verse.
He also says:
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27 (KJV)
Thanks for Your peace, Dear Lord. I thank You for leaving it with me. Thanks for telling me I do not need to be afraid of anything life throws at me, because You are leaving me with peace. I love this peace and I take it with me as I go through this day. To You be all glory and honor!
Have an awesome week! I love you all!
However, vacation time is over. It is time for life to present itself and there is much to do. Thankfully, I can face this Monday knowing my God is with me. I can face this week knowing that my God is giving me strength and courage. He tells me in his Word that He is with me with each step I take. He is with me with each cookie I bake. He is there to watch me make a mistake, and to guide me to fix it. He is there to forgive me when I sin, and to love me inspite of all of my faults. He is there at night when I go to sleep. I love that. My Lord is always here.
I better make sure I am always aware of Him being there. Sometimes we can forget that. When we forget that He is always there, we open doors to make decisions that will affect us and can possibly hurt us and Him as well. By remembering that He is ALWAYS there, we can make better decisions. If we still make the wrong ones knowing He is there, then there is still rebellion in us and we need to check ourselves.
But I am encouraged because His Word leaves us with some encouraing scriptures to guide us and to help us remember that He is always there:
"So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strenghten you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous hand." - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Wow. Praise the Lord for that. He will strengthen me and help me. Thank You, Lord for that promise I intend to make sure I receive!!! I can be strengthened any time I need it by remembering this verse.
He also says:
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27 (KJV)
Thanks for Your peace, Dear Lord. I thank You for leaving it with me. Thanks for telling me I do not need to be afraid of anything life throws at me, because You are leaving me with peace. I love this peace and I take it with me as I go through this day. To You be all glory and honor!
Have an awesome week! I love you all!
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