Sigh...

Saturday: 30th birthday

Sunday: Sunday school with the 3 and 4 year olds

Monday: Begin diet (good-bye sweet friends & potatoes...)

Monday
night: Offered plate with lemon bars, chocolate chip cookies & brownies
ten minutes later....Find my first silver thread in my head.......

.................Sighhhhhhhhh...........

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." - 1 Corinthians 3:19

Bree :)

What kind of sponge are you?

If you were a sponge what kind of sponge would you be?

-DRY ?
-DAMP ?
-WATER LOGGED ?

OR...

-SOAKED, BEING WRUNG OUT BY YOUR MASTER OFTEN ?

I listened to an amazing testimony yesterday (a few actually!) where this lovely woman compared herself to a sponge. She was loving the Lord being filled with joy, "soaking" it all in...but she wasn't sharing it...she then asked us if we knew what happens to a sponge when it's soaked? My own thoughts were of the heavy sponge, not being able to absorb any more water, just flat on the sink, becoming useless.

We need to share His word. We need to share our testimony (within the right time and the Holy Spirit's prompting) and the just the amazing "little" things God does in our lives. For all of us who share in the saving grace of our dear Father in heaven, it wasn't because we sought him out on our own accord but because He allowed us to seek and be taught about Him. Someone told you of the saving grace of Jesus; of a Father who forgives, loves, reconciles, blesses and rejoices over you. That someone could have been your parents, grandparents, family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, pastor, TV/radio program, missionary...or person you don't know at the grocery store, bank, park..even prison. You don't know what the Lord's plan is for your life or someone else's. But we do know He requires our faithfulness, trust and obedience.

He used me today to share His word! I missed the first opportunity to share when I felt prompted, out of fear of embarrassment and I continued on in my day...but the conviction got stronger and stronger, until I returned to my home, got all of the wee ones out of the car, went to unlock the door and realized if I didn't get back in that car and do what I felt the Lord was calling me to do, I was going to be disobeying my Father God, the Creator of all...hmmm, I think I'll risk that embarrassment! But besides that fear of disobeying and knowing I'll be held accountable for my actions (or lack of) here on earth, I knew that I didn't want this girl to miss out on a chance of finding the love of her life, her Father in heaven, or delaying it, just because I didn't want to leave my own comfort zone.

I share this beautiful personal story of God's grace, and the courage and words He provides...when He sets up the situation. My point to it all is not to ignore the Holy Spirit's prompting of sharing the Word, or of making a kind or forgiving call...of showing the love of Jesus Christ. My sweet friend told me once, she'd rather share something she felt the Lord was telling her that might be wrong than to not share it all and for her to be wrong and disobey. I say this with the prayer of thinking (PRAYING) before we speak and saying it with the love of Christ and not the tongue of judgment, condemnation or hate. As it says, we fleshy people can bless and curse with the same tongue, and not show the love of Jesus. Praise the Lord for forgiveness and grace...as I have been quick to convict and judge thinking with a "holier than thou" attitude. Oh how I was humbled...seeing the Lord's love in this person for me...unconditionally and undeserving.

Part of showing His love, I'm learning is in the little things, the friendships, the kind words, meals, the testimonies, the gentle encouragements...opening doors to the gospel, to the invitation to church...to that personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It may be one quick bold conversation or years of a friendship with much behind-the-scenes prayer...only the Lord knows:) Fortunately, we just need to listen and obey, and He'll take care of the rest!

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." -Matthew 28:18-20

Dear Lord, may we be blessed, safe and listening with discerning hearts and ears! May Your word flow through our lips and through our actions. May we be strengthened and encouraged as we go through our days. May we be lights for you Lord in this dark world, showing the hope and salvation that only you, Jesus bring. May we be great working sponges for You, Lord! In Jesus' name-Amen!

Please share testimonies of the Lord's work in your life - how wonderful it is to read and share them with others!

God bless!

Bree

Rowing...

"He went into the hills to pray"-Mark 6:46

...from Max Lucado's "Everyday Blessings: 365 Days of Inspirational Thoughts"

(from April 26 page)

"What does Jesus do while we are in the storm? You'll love this.

He prays for us....

So where does that leave us? While Jesus is praying and we are in the storm, what are we to do? Simple. We do what the disciples did.

We row....

Much of life is spent rowing....Getting out of bed. Fixing lunches....

More struggle than strut."

Here I am rowing, and the phone rings (because I have a technologically updated row boat :) )...and this new sweet friend I am getting to know, calls letting me know how her healing is going (she's rowing her boat with one arm in a sling- I should complain!) and the laughter she brings...it makes the rowing so much easier:) Sometimes, we focus so hard on our rowing we forget to look out across the water... or close our eyes and have sweet memories... or best of all, look up and feel His sweet rain upon our cheeks, knowing the rain, the waves, the storm will pass. Storms can be big or they can be the looming clouds...just there. Sometimes our hearts are heavy and honestly, times I'm not even sure why. Terri as you put it, that "funk"! I think of sludgy muck hangin around (is that visual for you!) When this time comes, we have a choice to make...do we get covered by it and run to the fridge (I am a comfort food girl at heart), do we crawl into bed, do we withrawl into our caves....or do we keep on rowing?

My hearts prayer...dear Lord, keep me rowing, move my arms, strengthen my legs, fill my lungs (my soul) with new breath, give me fresh eyes to see, fill me spirit with laughter, Lord draw me near...dear Lord, keep me rowing!

Laughter... what a precious gift....Jesus...what a most precious gift. Thank you Lord.

"Have faith in God, " Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone...does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

-Mark 11:22-24

Believe, love, laugh, cry, rejoice...and wait on Him, that His perfect will would be done. For you are more precious to Him than the finest of gems, you are His creation filled with His spirit, held in his arms, adored by his heart, loved by your Father and Creator.

If you haven't experienced that personal relationship with Jesus, oh sweet one, surrender your heart and allow Him to start moving and healing in you, allow Him to fill that unexplainable void you have..it is simply that place that is waiting for Him. Allow yourself the peace and forgiveness (and restoration) that only He can give. Come before Him with all of your stuff and say,

"Jesus here I am with my mistakes, here I am with all the mistakes I'm still making. Dear Lord I can't make it right, I need your help. Forgive me for doing wrong, forgive me for my sins, forgive me for being a sinner. The bible tells me you love me, because you created me, and you are just and right to forgive me for my sins when I ask. (1 John 1:9) I'm asking Jesus. Forgive me. Please come into my heart and help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. I trust and know you will teach me how to live a life that is pleasing to you. Please show me the freedom only you can give and give me the strength to continue to learn and love you. Jesus, come into my heart. Save me. Forgive me. You died for my sins (John 6:29,40,51) and rose from the grave (Matthew 28:5-6). Jesus you are the Son of God. (1 John 4:15) You are the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) In Jesus name, Amen.

Sweet one, if you have prayed this prayer- bless you! You are saved. Find yourself a good church home that believes these things (that has sound doctrine.) Seek help and support and read God's word- the bible. I personally use the NIV (New International Version) bible, because I find it is easier for me to understand the language, but there is also the KJV (King James Version) and others. Take it one step at a time, find other Christians to mentor and give support to you and trust in the Lord, He will guide you and lead you on a path to freedom and forgiveness. He did all of these things for me, He'll do them for you:) I was 23 when I asked Jesus into my heart. You can be 6 or 96, it is never too late and never too much to be forgiven. God bless you!

more information/prayer links: here, here (click on looking for peace with God) here, here

*Please leave me a note of your testimony, your prayer, your salvation...

Grace...

"...Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it [a thorn in my flesh] away from me. But he said to me,

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me...For when I am weak, then I am strong."
-2 Corinthians 12: 8-10

My grace is all you need to get through...

This passage ran clear through my mind this past week. It was whispered from my lips, it flowed through my spirit.

Your grace is sufficient for me. I didn't even realize what it truly meant to me, but when I would say it, or He would run it through my mind, my heart would be at rest. His strength was what endured. His strength was made perfect in my weakness.

Paul spoke of boasting. He could speak of the great things he was part of. He could speak of the miracles he saw, of the torture he endured for the work of Christ. But he spoke of his weaknesses. His testimony was of the Lord's mighty work; the Lord's grace and mercy; the Lord's love and protection. The Lord's work through a man who was sinful and weak, but had a heart for Him, ...and His grace was sufficient.

May His grace be sufficient for you. May the love of Jesus resonate through your heart and spirit. May His strength, His power be made perfect in your weakness. May you be comforted by the love of your heavenly Father, whose love is unfailing, unconditional and abundant in grace and mercy. In Jesus' name, Amen

God bless you, in Christ's love...