Pray On!

It is hard being a parent.  It is NOT for the weak at heart, ya know?  I fail at parenting everyday.  Some days are better than others.  It is a total learning process and just when I've mastered one thing, a new challenge faces me dead-on as soon as I round the corner. 

The hubs and I try to keep it real around the homestead.  We definitely try to pick our battles when it comes to child rearing.  And praise God we agree on the same disciplining methods.  It is rare that we disagree on matters regarding our children especially when it comes to spiritual matters.  So, as we do this thing called life together, it can be frustrating when we pour our heart, soul and prayers into our children just to have them come back void.  Or do they?

I often ask the Lord to help my children understand who He is.  I ask Him to help them, even at 7 and 4-years-old, to get a hold of who He really is in their young lives.  I ask Him, also, to help them fall in love with Jesus and to see the importance of God's Word in their lives.  I even ask Him to help them fall in love with His Word and to see that it brings life to their young spirits...that they would come to depend on it even as young as they are.  This has been a prayer I've been faithful to say, but haven't quite "seen" much as a result of saying it.  Until Saturday...

My oldest had been in his room doing what we assumed was playing with his toys.  As my hubs and I were hanging out in the living room, our oldest walked out, sat on the couch with his Bible in hand, and said, "I've been reading my Bible and I found a verse I really like."  My ears perked up.  So, with anticipation I encouraged him to tell us more.  He opened his Bible to Luke and I could see how he had circled a verse right in the middle of the page.  He looked at the circled verse silently, looked up at me, shut his Bible, and then said, "The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you.  They will lift you up in their hands.  Then you won't trip over a stone." (Luke 4:10-11 NIrV)

As I spent time with the Lord this morning, I was struck by something.  For as many prayers as I've thrown up in regards to my children, there is one request I have made to God over and over and over since becoming a mother.  Simply, I've asked Him to love me by loving my children.  And as I sat in His sweet presence this morning, I basked in the love He has for me through the love He has shown to my precious children.  I realized that my son had an experience with the Lord in his room on Saturday.  I've asked God to reveal Himself to my son.  He did.  I've asked the Lord to help my child understand who He is.  He is doing just that.  I've asked the Lord to help my oldest see the importance of His Holy Word.  He is doing that, too. 

For you see?  The Lord interacted with my child.  His Holy Spirit led my son to a place in the Bible that showed my son that He, our God, will take good care of him...that He sends His angels to guard over my baby's life.  What a sweet moment that must've been between my child and His Heavenly Father.

Reader, you better believe the Lord hears our cries.  And I believe nothing gives Him more pleasure than answering them especially when the prayer involves the revealing of His power and love for His children.  Pray on, sweet friends.  Pray. On.

Linds

The Houston Mishap

Hold the phone, y'all!  I can't believe what I have done...or better yet, what I didn't do.  Over the weekend my sister, my mom, my dear friend, and my mom's great friend all piled in the mini van and drove to Houston to hear our favorite Bible teacher Beth Moore.  It was a total blast.  We heard from the Lord through Beth's teaching of the Holy Scrips.  We danced for Jesus through powerful worship led by Travis Cottrell.  And on Friday night, I missed a golden opportunity.  Truly, I can't believe I did this.

As we were all hanging out in the lobby getting ready to leave my sister struck up a conversation with a sweet young lady.  I recognized her from the praise band and casually spoke through my Southern smile and then walked right out the door never to give my interaction with this woman a single thought.  Until today.  I was reading Beth Moore's blog...a brand new entry was posted specifically about the events of the weekend.  Several pictures were displayed and as I looked through each one, I saw a picture of this same woman I had a brief conversation with in the lobby of First Baptist Houston.  Are y'all ready for this?  It was Angela Cottrell...Travis' wife!!!  I had no idea!! 

But ya know?  It's probably a good thing it turned out the way it did.  She's just another person in the world....just as precious as some of my favorite people around here in my neck of the woods.  But if I just would've known, this is probably what I would've said.

"Angela, it is a true honor to meet you and this is why...during a very dark time in my life, the Lord used the music ministry of your dear husband to heal my broken heart.  I can't tell you how many times I ran to the Mercyseat with tears rolling down my face overwhelmed by God's grace, love and forgiveness.  I listen to his CD all of the time and while I know he's just a regular ol' guy, I am reminded that God uses us all.  God even uses me.  Just know how much you and your family mean to so many."

God is so faithful!  He really uses us all...or certainly wants to use us all.  During times in my life, I've certainly felt more used up than use-able.  But because of the ministries of people like Travis Cottrell and Beth Moore, I've learned that God has a purpose for me.  I am a Princess Warrior (thank you Beth Moore's study on Esther) and Jesus is my Source of Security, Strength and Dignity (thank you Beth Moore's So Long Insecurity).  And because of the sacrifice made on the cross, I have full access to the throne of God and I can run to the Mercyseat anytime I need to (thank you Travis Cottrell).  Let's not forget, too, that until He returns or calls us home, hear in the power of Christ we'll stand (sing it, Travis)!

But most and best of all, thank you Jesus.  Thank you.  Thank you.  And until you call me home, with the help that only comes from You, I'll keep pressing on.  I'll just keep right on...

Loving others for Jesus
Serving others for Jesus
Learning more for Jesus
Singing to and for Jesus
Being a wife to B for Jesus
Being a mom to W, E & F for Jesus
Taking care of my body for Jesus

And my newest hobby...couponing for Jesus.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." -Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

And I am sooooo redeemed, y'all! So!
Linds

Scripture Memory Challenge Verse 2

I am so excited about those of you who have agreed to learn Scripture this year.  A couple of you have told me that you were joining us although you didn't comment on the original post.  That is great!!  The more, the merrier!!  For those of you who would like to comment on the Scripture memory posts and have trouble doing so, please let me know.  You can shoot me an email at frenzylins@hotmail.com.  If you have a gmail account, you can submit your post signing in with your google account username.  If you don't have a gmail account, you can sign in as anonymous.  I try very hard to approve your comments quickly.  Sometimes, though, your comments get held up in cyberspace and take their time getting to my email account for me to approve.  But once they do, I almost always approve them right away. 

When you make your comment this time with your verse and address, if you would like, please let me know how you feel about the Scripture memory challenge and/or how God has already used the verse you learned for January 1st.  I think we would all be encouraged by reading how God has used/will use the verses He already has in mind for us to learn and apply to our lives. 

Because my verse for January 1st was short and sweet, I was able to reflect on the peace that comes from knowing my Maker has searched me (because He made me) and knows me well.  There is no one else who knows or cares for me more.  What comfort! 

Ok, friends.  I'm ready to hear from you.  But first, here's my verse for January 15th...

"You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar." -Psalm 139:2 (NIV)

May the comfort and peace that comes from God's Holy Word blow upon your life at hurricane force!
Linds

On a Light Note...

Sometimes we all just need some comic relief.  Sometimes life just gets too busy, too hard, too complicated that we often forget to stop and just enjoy what's going on around us.  Am I right or am I right?  So, with that said, here are the latest happenings around the homestead...

1.  In an effort to eat healthier in hopes of shedding these last few pounds of baby weight, I now officially HATE refried beans and wheat tortillas.  Surprisingly, I might consider sacrificing my oldest child for a slice of cheese.
2.  I had a huge blackhead above my lip right in the middle of my face.  Successfully, I popped it but now I have a huge crater on my face that won't seal if my life depended on it.  I've tried everything to close it back.  It just won't and now I'm just hoping people will think it's a beauty mark.
3.  My dog has finally stopped peeing on the carpet in my boys' bedrooms.  What was the trick, you might ask.  Locking her in the laundry room for the rest of her days on this planet.  Works every time.
4.  I finally quit finding human pee at the bottom of the toilet in my boys' bathroom.  I think it might be because I reminded the children to pee straight down...not straight out.  For the love...
5.  The hubs has been out of town for two weeks.  I now have a new and profound respect for single mothers.  I also have a deep and total understanding for why some momma animals eat their young.

There you have it, folks.  My life.  Riveting, isn't it?

What about you?  Anything earth shattering happening in your life?
Linds

Scripture Memory Challenge 2012

I wish I could think of a creative and unique way to grasp your attention with this blog post.  As an amateur writer, I find myself longing to be THAT writer who has a brilliant way of hooking the reader and holding his or her attention as every word is read.  I dream of the day when my reader will experience a whirlwind of emotions as he or she pours over the words (I've written) on the page.  She may laugh.  He may cry.  She may get angry.  He may be moved to action.  She may be inspired to even begin her own writing career after the inspirational words she's read written by, ahem...yours truly.  One can dream, right?  Getting back to the original point...I so wish I could set you up beautifully for the point of this blog post.  Alas, I find my word bank empty and am overwhelmed with the urgency to reach my point quickly.  So, here you go...

Scripture memory is good.  I love it a lot.  It's life changing.  You should do it, too.

There ya go!  Monumental, huh?  But fo' real though...back in 2009, I was challenged to memorize two verses a month.  One on the 1st and 15th of each month.  I kept up the habit ever since, and I'm so glad I did.  It has been special to look back over the past few years and see how God strategically placed verses on my heart to learn BEFORE I knew about the circumstances I would be walking into.  He is a smart God and practicing the discipline of Scripture memory has never proven that fact more true.

I am going to continue this practice for 2012, and I would love for you to join me.  Each month, I am going to post my verse on the 1st and 15th.  You will then have the opportunity to post your verse as a comment to the blog post.  (Be patient with me after you make your comment.  I moderate each comment before they post to the blog.  That may seem odd to some.  It's a control thing.  No, really...it's me, not you.) 

I know we are a few days late, but I am going to give you my verse for January 1st.  This year, I am memorizing the entire Psalm 139.  It has exactly 24 verses!!  Feel free to join me OR you can pick any verse you'd like.  I always write out my verses in a spiral index card notebook.  That way, I can refer to my verses when necessary, and I like being able to carry my verses with me in my purse, in the car, etc.  All I ask when you comment is that you write out your verse in its entirety, give us the address AND the version you are memorizing from.  Here is mine for January 1st...

"You have searched me, Lord, and you know me."  -Psalm 139:1 (NIV)

When reading others' comments, if you like a verse someone else has chosen, feel free to use it, by all means.  The beauty of the "Holy Scrips" is that they are for us ALL and belong to us ALL.  Alright friends?  Are we good?  Let's do this...let me hear from you.  I'm excited!!  Before we finish, let's give this new challenge to the Lord, first.

Father, we ask in Jesus' name that you revolutionize our hearts and our minds through the learning and applying of your holy, precious and life changing Word.  You are God!  And we give you our lives and ask for You to shake us up for the furthering of your Kingdom.  We are asking that through the memorizing and application of your Word that this be the year we officially stomp out complacency in our lives and replace our lukewarm ways with a holy passion that screams for justice, revival and mercy.  Amen.

What ya memorizing, friend?  Can't wait to read your comments.  :)
Linds

P.S.  Don't forget to check back on the 15th.