Saturday, September 24, 2011

I love Jesus. And Zig Ziglar.



You are the only one who can use your ability.
It is an awesome responsibility.
-Zig Ziglar


You are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which He prepared in advance for you to do.
Ephesians 2:10


You.

You are the only person gifted with your talents, knowledge and experiences.
You are  a completely unique creature in Jesus Christ.

Me.

It seems obvious to say that my path is mine and no one else's.

The work that God created me to do is mine alone.
If I don't get it done - eek.

But good news!

Whenever God commands us to do something
He gives us the strength to do it.

Right now I'm praying for the power of the Holy Spirit to give me the strength.
I'm praying that the Holy Spirit will fill me up so that there is room for nothing else inside me.

And I'm praying the same for you.


Friday, September 2, 2011

Well, Hi there!

I hope you haven't just been sitting around waiting for me to pop in and blog.

Sorry, I'm a little... how-you-say? Inconsistent.

A few exciting things have happened around here:

14 years ago
My little husband and I committed to a dating relationship.
We both knew that we were going to be together forever at that point.
God has blessed our marriage in so many ways!!!


11 days ago
My little daughter started 3rd grade!



Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) starts in a few weeks!! I cannot wait to start The Acts of the Apostles study. So much to learn! And I really thrive in an study that has structure and expectations and accountability. So, yeah! I hope to blog again before the start of BSF but if not you can count on LOTS of posts then.

Happy Labor Day weekend, y'all! Stay safe!!




Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Suffering bites... or does it?

Today I'm thinking a lot about suffering.

It started with the phone call that woke me up. Someone I love dearly was suffering. Financial struggles were the beginning but those often lead to relationship struggles and fear and suffering. We prayed before I got off the phone and I conveniently pointed her to yesterday's blog post on Philippians 4:8. I love how God steps in and provides the tools and resources for those still half asleep.  :)

After I had my coffee and my head was clearing I prayed for a young friend who was having her uterus removed today. No doubt some suffering there.

Then I thought back to my own suffering. And my husband's.

I flipped to the concordance in my bible and started to search though scripture on suffering. And there are many. In light of Philippians 4:8 and looking to the good and praiseworthy things let's focus on the scriptures that talk of the benefits of suffering. Wait, what?! Benefits?

Yep, you know the old saying that God can use evil for good? It's still true.
  • Suffering destroys counterfeit faith - Job 1:9
  • Suffering drives us back tot he basics of faith, Job 3:11
  • Suffering cannot destroy life's purpose, Job 3:23-26
  • Suffering tests our values, Job 14:22
  • How you react to suffering reflects what you believe, Job 21:22, Philippians 1:12-14, Job 32:2
  • Suffering demonstrates our loyalty to God, Psalm 44:9-22
  • Suffering will end one day, 1 Corinthians 15:50-53, Revelation 7:17
  • Suffering brings rewards, Mark 8:32,33
  • There are benefits of suffering, Philippians 1:29
  • Suffering may be a sign of effective living, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3
  • Sin loses its power when we suffer, 1 Peter 4:1,2
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of suffering. It's not fun and it's really tough to experience gracefully. But, His grace really is sufficient for us and is made perfect in weakness.

Please join me in prayer for those suffering. Prayers that God will be glorified and will provide His grace and peace through their struggles.


Luke 21:36
 Be always on the watch, 
and pray that you may be able to escape 
all that is about to happen, 
and that you may be able to stand 
before the Son of Man.”


**if you are suffering and would like others praying for you please feel free to ask in the Comments section**

Love,
Denise

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Rescue Ops



Have I told you that my husband is not only my personal hero but he actually saves others too?  He works for a rescue team that evacuates people from natural disasters, swift water and hurricanes.  He's also a firefighter, arson investigator, paramedic and a peace officer.  All around rescue hero.  (And yes, that is him hanging from the helicopter.)

July marks one year from the rescue operation to remove me from the pit.  I won't call it an anniversary.  Hell, I don't even want to remember it.  But I will look at the past 12 months and praise the Lord who saved me and my husband who allowed the Lord to use him in the most painful way.

As I look back over all that has happened over the year I can't help but want to share the parts that might actually be helpful to someone else.  I had no idea that I was on the brink of destruction and maybe you're there but don't know it.

Hindsight is 20/20.  Of course it is.  It's a cliche but it's true. 

I can look back and see exact moments when I turned from God and point exactly to the scripture I was disobeying and show the outcome of my disobedience.  Ah, hindsight.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, 
whatever is noble, 
whatever is right, 
whatever is pure, 
whatever is lovely, 
whatever is admirable
—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things. 

This was my favorite verse of scripture for years.  I'm a bit of an optimist (when I'm not clinically depressed ;)) and have always felt that if you look at what is true and right and pure you can avoid heartache.  I didn't do this, however, I chose to look to prayers that weren't answered rather than what is true.  I chose to question the goodness of God.  And I started to believe the whispers of the Evil One.

God doesn't always (in fact almost never) works in ways that we can understand or would prefer. 

Isaiah 55:8
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD. 

Friends, we need the full armor of God to protect us from the Evil One and to keep our spirits and our minds focused on the Lord at all times. 

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.   
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world 
and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, 
you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.   
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, 
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.   
In addition to all this, 
take up the shield of faith, 
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, 
which is the word of God.
  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

My only hope in writing these truths and scriptures on this blog is that they will glorify God and help someone else.  Use the tools He has given you.  I'm praying for you today!

Love,
Denise

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Happy Father's Day!



Can I tell you about the most amazing Dad on the planet?  He belongs to me but he's not my Dad.  He is my husband.  Our daughter has to be one of the luckiest little girls on Earth.  She has the greatest Dad ever.  And she'll tell you that and much more.

He is the military style parent.  Not a pushover and certainly not one to tangle with.  He won't put up with disrespect, disobedience or whining.  He's quick with a spanking if it's needed.

He's also the most selfless, loving person I've ever known.  He makes Addie pancakes at least three times a week.  He leads our family prayers every night that he's home (and most nights that he isn't).  He is our protector and leader and lover of our souls.

The day he taught Addie how to ride her bike is one I'll never forget.  I wasn't there.  But when I came home my little angel was sitting on the couch with an icepack on her mouth and blood all over her shirt.  She had turned too sharp and took the handlebars in the teeth.  Her gums were black and blue and her teeth were loose.  And her Dad made her ride the bike home.  And she's never, ever been afraid to get back on and ride.

A few things Addie wants to say about her Dad:

"Well - this year whenever he found a birds nest on our porch he didn't spray it down.  He let the babies stay and grow up and be strong.  They're flying on their own now!"

"He buys us pool passes!" 

"His pancakes are fantastic, like a real deal chef's."

"He's a fantastic Dad and helps Mom put me to bed every night."

"I hope Dad reads this!"

"We love you so much!!!!!!"

"It's our pleasure to have you in our family."  :)

"PS - I think the mother bird is feeding her babies right now!  6/18/11 - 8:18pm"

"(I also really wish I could keep one.)"

Jesus, thank you for this man.  Thank you for building this family.  Our lives are forever blessed because you joined us together and you are at the center.  We praise you for all the goodness that we've been able to experience this year.  Please be with each and every person who does not have a Dad like this one.  It is in your Holy Name I pray.  Amen.


You're the best Dad on the planet!!!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Wake Up with The Sunlight

He made the moon for the seasons; the sun knows the place of its setting. You appoint darkness and it becomes night, in which all the beasts of the forest prowl about. The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God. When the sun rises they withdraw and lie down in their dens. Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until evening. 
 Psalm 104:19-23 


Today I slept until 11am.

Oops.

Yesterday was a day filled with 7 year old Girl Scouts.  And family.  And fun.

Wonderful rest today.  

Is it a Godly kind of rest or is it a lazy glutton kind of rest?
I'll let Him be the judge.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Avoid Heavy Meals and Drowsiness

for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Proverbs 23:21

For some reason I am surprised when the bible gives real
practical nuggets of wisdom.
~okay, not really surprised~

But I often think it should be more complex or difficult to
understand than some verses are. 
Oh, avoid heavy meals and drowsiness? 
That makes sense.

Especially when it's 100 degrees in June in South Texas.

And I'm craving a giant plate of enchiladas and a nap.

photo

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Avoid Perfectionism and Accept Uncertainty

Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let not your hands be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well. 

Ecclesiastes 11:6



Wow!  
Ecclesiastes has a lot to say.  

Solomon wrote this book.  The purpose was to spare generations the bitterness of learning through their own experiences that life is meaningless without God.

I'm sad to say that I don't think I've read it before.  

You could probably tell.

In an attempt to avoid perfectionism in this post (HA!!  None of them are perfect.)...
...I'm going to cut this short and just say: 

Ecclesiastes is short and the time taken to dive in is going to be well worth it.

Go read it!!

:)

Monday, June 6, 2011

Do Not Fear


Part Two...

The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!” 

Proverbs 26:13


Proverbs 22:13 says basically the same thing:
The sluggard says, There is a lion outside!"  or,
"I will be murdered in the streets!"



How many times do we throw things completely out of proportion?  I don't want to do chores.  In fact, I better stay inside where it's safe.  There are no lions near my couch!  Really?  You think you'll be murdered if you go to work? 

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

The less I do, the less I want to do.  The more I sleep the more I want to sleep. 

Fear is a big struggle for a lot of us.  Even when we don't realize that it's fear holding us back.  At times that is the beginning of lazy habits.  It's much easier to NOT do something than to do it and FAIL.  It's easier to avoid than achieve.  One of my favorite sayings is:
"If at first you don't succeed...
....SHRED all evidence that you tried."
It's funny but it's not productive.  


What would you attempt to do if
you knew you could not fail?


Thoughts?

Friday, June 3, 2011

Be Happy and Thankful

 
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  
Nehemiah 8:10

 Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
 
 
Let's face it.  Sometimes we're not happy.  
Sometimes we're grumpy.  
Stressed.  
Heartbroken.  
Sometimes evil chases us.
At times we're the evil ones.
And then sometimes we're just plain tired.

The scripture at the top of this post isn't a hokey, pie in the sky, feel good, positive thinking, kind of baloney.

God gives us the strength we need to be joyful always.  He knows that it's not 'natural' in our human bodies to give thanks in all circumstances.  Really?  Expecting us to be thankful when we're battling depression?  Or cancer?  Or children in the midst of their summer screaming, "I'm bored!"  

Do not be grieved, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.  Really.  It's true.


How many times have you wondered, "What is God's will for MY life??"

I know I have.  
(insert whiny voice when asking the question above.  
possibly thrash on the floor in a tantrum. 
not that I would have done that.)

And who knew.  He states it clearly right there in the bible.  
Hmm...  If only I had opened that book sooner!

Be joyful always.
Pray continually.
Give thanks in all circumstances.
 
For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
 
I encourage you to simplify this summer.  It's very easy to want God to drop His master plan in your lap and tell you His will for what job you should take, or what medical treatment you should try, whether you should adopt, make a mission trip, or even spank your child.  It would just be so much easier if He would just tell us what to do!!

And imagine that - He did.


In the middle of the uncertainty - Be Joyful.

Rather than go to Google for answers - Pray and ask Him.

The last might be the hardest.  But if you can look follow Phillipians 4:8 and really focus on 
...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy...
 
You really can Be thankful in all circumstances.
So I challenge you this summer.  To follow God's will for you.  
 
And I would love to hear how it works out for you!!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Lazy Summer Days Ahead!!



Tomorrow is the last day of school!!  I work from home and my husband is home a lot also.  The summer can be a time when we all get to spend days together.  At the park, at the pool, not necessarily working hard. 

Some folks I know lean towards being classified as a work-a-holic.  You could never put me in that category!  I ere on the side of lazy.  Sleep is one of my dearest friends.  And lounging can quickly steal hours from my day.  So to combat the tendency to sit like a bump on a log for days, weeks, months during the summer...

I NEED A PLAN.

So I did a quick google search on what the Bible has to say about laziness.  Wow.  I found some good tips!  I've got a lot to say on these and you'll hear more about each in the blog posts ahead.  But for now here is the list that I'll be working from:



Be Happy and Thankful


Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, 
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5


Do Not Fear

13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!” Proverbs 26:13

Avoid Perfectionism and Accept Uncertainty

6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let not your hands be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6

Prepare Your Tools

27 Finish your outdoor work
and get your fields ready;
after that, build your house. Proverbs 24:27

Avoid Heavy Meals and Drowsiness


21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:21

Wake Up with The Sunlight

19He made the moon for the seasons;
The sun knows the place of its setting.
20
You appoint darkness and it becomes night,
In which all the beasts of the forest prowl about.
21
The young lions roar after their prey
And seek their food from God.
22
When the sun rises they withdraw
And lie down in their dens.
23
Man goes forth to his work
And to his labor until evening.  Psalm 104:19-23

Observe and Emulate

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,

8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man. [a] Proverbs 6:6-10

Go Hungry

10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 11We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11
26 The laborer’s appetite works for him;
his hunger drives him on.  Proverbs 16:26

Move Your Body

12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether he eats little or much,
but the abundance of a rich man
permits him no sleep.  Ecclesiastes 5:12

Avoid Idle Chatter

23 In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter[a]leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Apologies!

I skipped out on the blog yesterday.  I apologize.  Really.

It's Memorial Day weekend (as you probably know) and I'm spending time with the fam.  My amazing husband and wonderful daughter.


I won't be back til Tuesday but felt I should at least pop over and let y'all know!

Enjoy your long weekend and please remember our troops and keep them in your prayers.  Thank God for all they've done for us and our freedom!!

XXOO,

Denise

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Weeds


I really need to wash my truck.  And mow the yard.


Kidding, kidding.  (Ok, I do need to wash my truck.)  But I spent my morning mowing and pulling weeds.  My yard is in the progress of being transformed and recently we tilled the entire backyard and laid sod in a certain pattern.  Now we need to go back and fill in the giant dirt patches with beds and shrubs and flowers and mulch and river rock and...  you get the picture.  PS - this picture is not of my yard, or my truck.

In those giant dirt patches there have been weeds sprouting.  And so I strapped on my gardening gloves and went to work.  The weed pulling today was actually a lot of fun!  Because we had tilled recently the weeds that were there didn't have strong root systems.  They came right up with a gently pull.  Joy!

As I was working I couldn't help but think about how sin in our lives is like a weed.  When we let little sins stay they tend not to stay little.  They grow.  And the roots dig deep.  If ignored, weeds can take over an entire yard (or truck as shown above) and kill everything living in their path.  Sin grows and spreads like a disease and can take over your life.  It can damage your health, your relationships, your finances, your faith.  

I'm suggesting that we keep our noses in the Word of God and keep our prayer lives active in order to weed the sin out of our lives.  And when it does sprout up - it will be much easier to pull by the roots and get rid of.  

Song of Solomon 2:15

15 Catch for us the foxes,
   the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
   our vineyards that are in bloom.

(Foxes.  Weeds.  You get the idea.)

Say your prayers,
Sweet dreams,
I love you,
Goodnight!

Denise


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Prayers



Can I share with you a few tips that really help me keep my prayer life real?

  1. Pray daily.  Many times a day.
  2. Talk to God.  Talk to Jesus.  They know your heart and can understand your words.  You don't have to get all King James on them.  Prayer doesn't have to be made complex or extravagant.
  3. The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and is ready to do the praying for you if  you don't know what to say.  Ask for His help.
  4. If you tell someone that you'll pray for them, for goodness sakes DO IT.  Don't let 'prayer requests' be a thin disguise for Christian gossip.  God knows the difference.
  5. Pray daily.  Many times a day.
If you need some material to work with please consider the following:

Victims of the recent tornados.
Children with pediatric cancer.
Our world leaders, our pastors and our emergency personnel.
Folks who are lost in this world and don't have a home to go to.  
The mentally ill suffering silently or in hospitals and prisons.
Your friends, family and most of all your enemies.

Remember to be THANKFUL, ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, and PRAISE GOD in each prayer.

Something my sisters (have I mentioned that I have 5? and a brother) and I always said before going to sleep:

Say your prayers... sweet dreams... I love you... Good night!

Nighty, night my sweet readers.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A Promising Future - and what to do until then...

Last post on waiting, I promise.  :)

PS - I have memory loss issues both short term and long term and cannot really promise this will be the last post on waiting as I might forget that I wrote about it already.

Tired of sitting around like a bump on a log?  Is there action to take while you're waiting on God to fulfill His promises or answer your prayers?

You bet!!  Here are some of the verses that really helped me as I climbed out of the pit.

Where is your focus?  Where is Jeremiah’s focus here…

Lamentations 3:19-23 

 19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
   the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
   and my soul is downcast within me.

Then Jeremiah changed his focus…

21 Yet this I call to mind
   and therefore I have hope:
 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
   to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
   for the salvation of the LORD. 

Know where to find your strength...  

Isaiah 40:27-31 

27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
   Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
   my cause is disregarded by my God”?

28 Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. 
  
God's grace will come.  His promise will be kept.  You will be blessed...

Isaiah 30:18

 18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
   therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
   Blessed are all who wait for him!

Where is your hope?

Psalm 130:5

 5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
   and in his word I put my hope.

How can you know that God will keep His word?

Isaiah 55:10-11

10 As the rain and the snow
   come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
   without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
   so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
   It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
   and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

How do the two verses prior reassure us when the delay is long or the process is confusing?

Isaiah 55:8-9

 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

What are the benefits of believing God while we wait?

Romans 15:13

 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


So what will you do between now and the big day?