Coming Clean

I have been in a rut the past few days. A mental fog kind of.

I emailed someone, seeking advice and the entire experience has left a bad taste in my mouth, for lack of a better term. Apparently the person I emailed has an assistant who reads the emails first then passes them along. I received a reply, but it did not give advice, it felt more like a pat on my head than wise counsel.

In reading my email, I thought I was clear that I was seeking guidance, but I guess it did not come across as such. The reason for the bad taste is because I did not intend what I wrote to be seen by others. I was caught off guard when I received notification that my email would be passed along to the recipient. If I had known, I would have written by hand. In the long term scheme of things is it major? No, but since then I have felt adrift.

I am still trying to make sense of the verse 1 John 2:28. Something about the verse has me unsettled. I am going to email one more person in hope of receiving some clarity. I have talked to one or two people but I tend to end up with more questions and concerns and still no answers.

I am currently done with the verse a day challenge. I hope you were inspired. I am going to take a few days off from blogging and try working on my book. Once I complete the first chapter I will share a snippet of it with you.

God bless, and keep seeking the Lord.

Check up

My sweet Stone had his 9 month check up this morning. It went well. I was anticipating vaccinations but instead we only had measurements and a blood/urine check. He is growing well and is very healthy. All results came back well and the doctor is happy with Stone's growth and development.

 



With that in mind, I think we should all from time to time do a spiritual check up. Do you have any un-repented sin? Are you holding onto anything that you need to give over to God? Have you sat at His feet and just listened lately? Are you praying to Him? Are you reading your Bible? We need whole wellness to serve Him with purpose. If any area is not getting a clean bill of health, find the remedy and cure it!

A Special Evening

Last night was wonderful.

My church several times a year brings in a guest speaker for the women of the church. The event is called Something Special for Women. Ladies are asked host a table and decorate it. I hosted my fourth table last night. I have hosted solo and with another lady a time or two. Decorating the tables is an absolute blast.

The first table I ever did, co-hosted with a sweet friend.

My first solo table. I LOVE Christmas!

The table I decorated for last night's event.

Last night was such a great time Mary Southerland was our guest speaker - that lady is a hoot! Oh my word! It was so refreshing hearing someone talk about life, talk about their love of Jesus - and not sugarcoat it! She had us laughing and learning. It was a wonderful evening - and everyone felt the Lord's presence.

Matthew 18:20 (NKJV)
 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

We need to pray.

Ladies,

We need to pray. I am so horrified right now at what I have just watched. Yet another video about Planned Parenthood (or Planned Butcherhood, as Rush Limbaugh called it) has come out. The horrific tragedies they are perpetrating are devastating. I have been following the stories, reading the commentaries and trying to keep myself from puking and crying. The heartlessness in people is shocking. I know their is evil in this world, I love history and have read about it, and in some small ways experienced evil first hand. But this is a whole new level. I only made it 2 minutes into the latest video before I had to stop. I will finish it later, but I can't at this time.

So I am calling for us to join in prayer right now! Please take some time today and pray on the things below. And going forward from today pray again, and again, and again.

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Luke 11:9-10

 

Please join me in praying for the following:

• That those who recorded these videos will not face persecution or jail time.
• That those who recorded these videos will have healing from what they experienced, saw and heard.
• That those who recorded these videos will keep shining light on the dark and horrid truth.
• That those who are being exposed for what they did will turn from their ways and seek life and love in Jesus.
• That those who are being exposed for what they did will aid in bring Planned Parenthood to an end.
• That there will be enough Senators and Representatives in Congress to defund Planned Parenthood so American tax dollars no longer fund murder of innocent lives.
• That abortion will be made illegal once again.
• That all Planned Parenthood's will be shut down for good.

Everyday PP is operating, is yet another day where innocent babies are being murdered.

 

Some food for thought. Millions of babies have been murdered. The potential of all those babies has been wasted. We have allowed the cure for cancer to be murdered. The cure for aids. The cure for diabetes. We have allowed the inventor of the machine that will convert salt water into pure drinking water to be murdered. We have murdered the child that will grow up to develop a tool to help children with Autism function with the rest of society and not stand out. We have murdered the little girl that will serve her church in the nursery so mom's can attend service. We have murdered the little boy who will lead summer programs to help the elderly in his church by doing repair work on their homes.

 

Who have we allowed to be murdered but allowing that baby butcher shop to operate day in and day out for 99 years?

My lighthouse: Thinking on Philippians 4:8

Since last night's sermon and my late night post I have been thinking. About  my family, the future, my faith. And God has a verse on that!


Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

I am in a pensive state of mind today. So many thoughts and ideas running through my head. I am being comforted by my faith, I am in God's hands. But the flesh in me wonders what the future holds. Will I see my children grow up? Will I grow old with my husband? Will I be a published author? Will I ever see my grandchildren?

I feel that there is still so much to do, that I have more to accomplish. I feel that last night was a lighthouse moment for me. God gave me a verse to ponder on and I can either heed the warning or crash. I need to make my life count, make sure I do what is important and get rid of the junk and waste. I have much to think on in the days ahead, and plans to make. Pray that I follow what God wants for me.

Pay Attention When God is Speaking to You

I wish what we see could sometimes be printed as a picture. Tonight my father carried my son in his arms and held my daughter's hand and walked them into church. I will cherish that image/memory for as long as I live.

Church tonight was an experience. I have mentioned before that when God is trying to get my attention He gives me "Ah-ha"moments. He repeatedly puts something before me, the same message comes to me over and over.

Or a Bible verse as in His latest "teaching moment" for me.

Earlier today in my challenge post I focused on 1 John 2:28, And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

And surprisingly to me, my Pastor talked about it tonight when talking about Heaven. God has my attention. I am a little shaken actually. I am assured of my faith, I know I will go to heaven. I am scared for what I will miss out on depending on when I am called home. Will I see my children grow up? Fall in love? Will I see them accomplish all things to their full potential? Will I experience growing old with my husband? Loving on our grand children? Will I become a published author? As I process it all, I realize those are all worldly concerns and in the scheme of life they do not matter. It is my flesh that hitches at the thought of what the verse can mean.

I emailed my Pastor, letting him know how his sermon impacted me.

To put the cherry on my evening, my father joined our church and is now a member. I am glad to have my family so close and look forward to seeing how a 3 generation home will function.



Below are some excerpts from my email to my Pastor:

"Now to why I am writing. First the back story. On August 19, 2012 I came down to the front and submitted my life to full time Christian ministry. I was 3 1/2 months away from Abigail joining us. I call my ministry “W.I.F.E. Women In Faith Everyday.” Sadly to say, I did not do much with it. Many intentions, but since then I have had two children and gone back to work full time.

 

This year I have focused on my career - finishing up certifications to become a qualified director for the state of Texas. And the verse Matthew 6:21 came to my mind - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The reason I am telling all of this is because of your sermon tonight. You quoted 1 John 2:28.

 

1 John 2:28 (NKJV)    And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

To many an obscure verse. To me a verse that God is bring to me for a reason. This month I am posting a daily verse to inspire and call women to action. This morning I brought out my book “Jesus Calling” and I read the  inspiration for the day. At the bottom were 3 verses. The first was in Matthew and I never got to the third because the second captured me. It was 1 John 2:28. I have read through the Bible before, but this verse never stuck out to me until today. So I wrote about it: http://womeninfaitheveryday.blogspot.com/2015/07/being-child-of-god.html

When God brings something to me repeatedly, I call them my “Ah-ha” moments, and when these happen I have learned to pay close attention. I am going to be honest I am little shaken by this verse and that God is presenting it to me. I am now in prayer on what God wants me to learn. All the lessons I have been learning here lately are on God coming back, the Rapture, and being prepared for the storms that will come. And your sermon was on heaven.

I wanted to let you know that your sermon tonight was wonderful. And my thoughts have been on what is to come."

Baby Step 1

No, this is not announcing that Stone has taken his first baby step. Even though with everyone working on him, it could be in the next week or so!

No this baby step is a step for our nation.

Senate Introduces Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood

Read the article! This is hopefully the first step in removing abortion from our nation's vocabulary. Defunding that horrible organization of tax payer's money is great. I hate that my money goes to fund murder of innocent lives. And if this bill is not passed you can I bet that I will be with the many who make sure that those who stood in the way are booted out of office!

Being the mother to two babies who I should not have, and having friends and family who have struggled with infertility, hearing that not only innocent lives have been taken, but that parts from them are being haggled over for the best price, makes me want to vomit. As I have stated before, I do not judge the women who have to abortions - I pray for them and cry for them that they felt abortion was their only option. But the abortion providers, the body sellers and buyers - God will judge them for their actions, and no defense they give will be good enough. Children hold a special place in God's heart. and His Word confirms it:

 Psalm 127:3-5New King James Version (NKJV)
³ Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
⁴ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
⁵ Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

 
Matthew 18:6New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Exodus 21:22 - 25 (NKJV)

²² “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. ²³ But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe..



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