His Word Wednesday

There is a sign on the way to work that says, "Honk if you are believing Jesus for something." At first, I thought they just worded the sign wrong, but then I thought about it a little more. I think we are all "believing Jesus for something."

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."



I think we have all been in a situation where we had to lay it in God's hands and let him take control. The situation surpassed our understanding, and it was useless for us to try to wrap our minds around it.



My coworker friend and her family are moving back to their hometown. When I talked to her about it yesterday, she said, "This is totally a God thing. We would never have done this on our own." You see, her husband is leaving full time ministry to work in a secular job. She is leaving her job and not going to have any income. However, since they have agreed to this move, so many ministry doors have opened for them. God is in control of their situation and they realized they had to trust him.



I think some of the most comforting words in the Bible are "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).



We see the moment. God sees the entirety (if that is a word). We think, "oh, this is wrong, I can't do this." God says, "This is right. Trust Me and let Me do this." We can handle anything that comes our way if we just TRUST HIM.



Remember, We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).



There are two things I'd like for you to do today. Three really. First, trust God with whatever he has laid before you. Hand it over to Him and quit trying to take control and rationalize everything. Second click on the Praying for Stellan button at the top of the page. Read about this precious baby and pray for him and his family. If there was ever a family that need to trust God, this is it. Lastly, either leave a comment about a verse of scripture or devotional that has touched your heart this week, or leave a post on your blog and then come back here to the MckLinky and link to your blog so we can see how His Word has touched you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN!

Colin,

We can't believe you are 7 years old today! You are such an amazing child and we are so proud of you. Just the other day, you asked me, "Mama, what do you think I will be when I grow up?"

Well, Baby, the possibilites are endless....

You could be........

A circus clown

A computer technician

A cowboy

A fireman

An astronaut

A professional golfer

A captain

A handyman

A Navy pilot

Or even a beach bum

Regardless of what the future holds for you, always remember that we love you. You are a special young man and can be whatever you want. We are so proud of you.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY, COLIN!

We love you!

Mama and Daddy

His Word Wednesday

The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in an earthen furnace.
Psalm 12:6


Today, I'd like to share a recent devotion that touched my heart. It came from my The Word for You Today devotional.

Parents are the pride of their children.
Proverbs 17:6

The famous biographer Boswell tells of a day when his busy father took him fishing. Later when he read what his dad wrote in his journal, he was devastated: "Went fishing with my son; a day wasted!"If you want your children to be proud of you:

1. Protect them. Guard them physically when they are young and emotionally as they mature. Teach your son to respect girls, and interview the guys who date your daughter. Be sure to check out what they (and you) watch on TV, especially the increasingly dangerous influences of the Internet.

2. Listen to them. Don't be like the kid who told his mom, "I'm gonna be just like dad when I grow up. My eyebrows are already growing together, and when people talk to me, I don't listen." Listening builds a lifetime bridge to your child's heart.

3. Be affectionate with the them. Nothing builds security and self-worth in your kids like holding them. If you grew up without expressions of affection, make sure the don't.

4. Discipline them. But go one step further, model self-discipline in your own life. don't just preach, live it!

5. Be fun to be around. Show your children your lighter side. Don't be so preoccupied with work or church that you're a bore. "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance" (Proverbs 15:13).

6. Walk the walk. Former atheist Lee Strobel says, "When I became a Christian, my five year old daughter said, 'Mommy, I want God to do for me what He's done for daddy,'" and she gave her life to Jesus. Make Christ attractive to your children, and they will be drawn to Him.


Here is what I would like for you to day. Please share a recent devotional or scripture that has touched your heart. You can leave a comment or create a post on your blog and then add your site to the MckLinky so other visitors can read it. Thanks for sharing His Word on this Wednesday.

Nightlight

I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4

Many of our children are afraid of the dark. So, what do we do? We put a nightlight in the bedroom to calm their fears. This small dim light doesn't brighten the whole room, but it puts off just enough light for our children to see. We even go so far as to show them the inside of the closet and peek under the bed, you know, just to make sure.


I've always told Colin, "You know what is in the dark? The same things that are there when the lights are on."



Eventually, our children grow out of this fear because they do realize its the same in the dark as in the light. That nightlight helps give them that assurance.



The older we get, we have our own fears: health, finances, future, death. But God gives us a nightlight to help calm our fears: His Word, The Holy Bible. It is filled with God's promises to us, promises to calm our fears and take away our worries. If we didn't didn't seek God to calm our fears, we would be scared children hiding under our blankets. Night after night, we would fall asleep, exhausted from our fear. Life doesn't have to be that way, and God is the answer.



If we seek Him through His Word and prayer, He will be faithful and meet with us. He will shine His light upon us, alleviating our fears. Those same things will be there, but God will make them less scary.

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
Isaiah 41:13

I Love Chicago 2

I Love Chicago

What Are You Reading?

I've always been a reader. I find myself always looking for something to dive into. Here are the books I'm into right now.

These are my devotionals I read each day.

I also work on these two studies throught the week when I have a little more free time.

So, I am curious as to what you are reading. You can leave a comment or try this MckLinky thing after you post what you are reading on your site.

Freedom and Anteaters

I thank my God everytime I remember you. Philippians 1:3

I am very appreciative that I live in the United States of America. What a blessing it is! I am thankful for all of the men and women who have served our country over the last 233 years. They have protected our rights, responsibilities, and privileges. They have protected our todays and tomorrows. I have the utmost respect for our military and their families. I can't imagine the daily sacrifices made by them.

To those of you who are serving our country now, Thank you.

Colin, Brian (Jeffrey's cousin), and Jeffrey

To those of you who have served our country in the past, Thank you.

Joe Grimes (Jeffrey's grandfather)
Iley Murray (My grandfather)

Hugh Uhls (My grandfather)

To those who will serve in the future, Thank you.

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Because of the freedoms we are blessed with, we are able to experience God's creation in so many ways. Our recent visit to the Nashville Zoo was such a blessing. Jeffrey's mom took off from work that day to go with us. She got up early and checked the zoo out online. On our way there, Sue was telling us all about the new anteater exhibit. We were so excited as we walked toward the giant anteater. However, when we got there, we couldn't see it anywhere. We were disappointed, but decided to go back that way before we left for the day. This is what we saw when we went back.

We were so amazed. I had never seen an anteater before and couldn't get over how big it was. Hence the name GIANT anteater! We talked about that creature all the way home. I think it was my favorite animal to watch all day (other than the two little monkeys I had to keep up with all day)!

And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25

In the beginning....

“Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

One time in Sunday School, we were asked to tell when we can feel God’s presence the most. Everyone’s answer had something to do with nature.

For the last month, the children at church have been studying Creation on Wednesday nights. Today, we were blessed to go to the Nashville Zoo for a church outing. Although I’ve been there several times on school field trips, this day was a bit more special for the simple fact that while teaching the kids about God’s Creation, I have also been touched by it.

I’ve always loved the outdoors. I’m happy sitting in the yard with a nice breeze watching the birds, squirrels, and rabbits romp around the yard. I enjoy zoos and aquariums. I love the beach and mountains. The sound of thunder and rain is like music to my ears. Sunsets and rainbows are so beautiful to look at. And still, as an adult, I look at the shapes of the clouds to figure out what they resemble.

I do feel God’s presence while enjoying His creation.

I thank God for His Creation, for giving us a beautiful world to live in with so many awesome wonders.

I thank God for being able to instill an appreciation of His Creation in my children and the children I work with at school and church.

I thank God for allowing me to live in a country where we have so many opportunities to enjoy the gifts He has given us.

The next time you watch a sunset, see a rainbow, hear the thunder, smell the rain, touch the snow, or taste a juicy watermelon, be sure to give thanks to God for those gifts.