Stumbling Blocks

"For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living."  Psalm 116:8-9

Kyle #12 (2010)

Sometimes there are big things in the middle of our path that trips us up.  And sometimes we can trip over our own two front feet.  I am proof  that you can get really hurt, just by a slip of a foot.  Four years ago, I lived on crutches and a brace for a couple of months because of one misstep.

There are a lot of things in life that will try to trip up our children.  The enemy wants to keep them from a life of peace, happiness, and fullness in Christ.  Everyone's stumbling blocks are different.  Some are out in the open for them to see.  And some sneak up on us while we are unaware.

I am praying that my children's feet stand firm, and walk confidently down the narrow path God has chosen for them, skipping over the stumbling blocks placed in their path.  Holy Spirit, lead and guide them in the way they should go.

Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, and that you lead us, alert us, and protect us from the stumbling blocks in our path.  I pray that you deliver our children's soul from death, their eyes from tears, and their feet from stumbling.  Protect them, dear Jesus, from the stumbling blocks that the enemy uses, and places in their path, to keep them from you.  Help their eyes see clearly the things that aren't pleasing to you.  Remove the attraction to evil, that which is unholy, and all that keeps them from your presence.  Lord, put a hedge of protection around their eyes, ears, hands, and their heart, mind and soul.  Create in them a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in them.  Amen. 
 

Not Just the Minimum

"Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.” Colossians 3:22-25 (The Message)

It's Monday...let the school week begin!

I'm praying that my kids work hard, do their best, and learn responsibility.

Here's to a a great week!

Lord, I thank you for our dear children, and the work you are doing in their lives.  You are good, and I trust you to continue to carry onto completion the adults you are wanting them to be.  Teach Alyssa and Kyle to do what they are told by their earthly masters...parents and teachers alike. I pray that they don't just do the minimum that will get them by, but that they will do their best. May they work from the heart for their real Master, you God, confident that they'll get paid in full when they come into your inheritance. I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always keep in mind that the ultimate Master they are serving is You, and that the sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Oh Lord, being a follower of you doesn't cover up bad work.  Today is Monday, and I pray that it's the beginning of a wonderful week.  Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer! 

Eyes to See Jesus

"My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you."  Job 42:5

 I love my boy's bright blue eyes!

Dear Precious Father, what a blessed thing it is that you are not a silent God, you are not far from us, and you don't desire to stay hidden from our sight.  You are a God who longs for your children to come into relationship with you, and so you are pursuing us all the time.  My children's ears have heard of you all of their lives.  They know the stories found in your Word, and have been taught about you over and over again.  I pray, however, that they come to experience you in new ways...in ways that draw them into a powerful relationship of love, conversation, and trust.  Lord, I look forward to the day when they can say that they have seen you with their eyes.  Build their faith, move them to hope, and teach them to trust in you with all their heart, mind, and soul.  Make yourself evident in my children's lives in profound and visible ways.  What sweet words it will be when I hear them say, "I've just seen Jesus." 

The Best Place to Go

If your law had not been my delight,
   I would have perished in my affliction. 

I will never forget your precepts,
   for by them you have preserved my life. 

--Psalm 119:92-93

I love God's Word.  Anytime I am struggling I can go there and find hope and comfort.  When I am lacking wisdom I open it's pages and find help and answers.  What a treasure it is in my life.  I'm so thankful that I don't have to live my life without it.

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle fall in love with God's Word too.  I hope that when they are going through hard times that they seek answers and comfort in the scriptures.  It will ultimately be the key to their survival through some of life's circumstances.

Lyss is in the midst of her senior year of high school.
Soon she will be making important life decisions...college major, church attendance, and who she is going to be "when she grows up".

Kyle has always had a natural wonder about the character of God.

One day, he too will be thinking about his future.

Then there is boyfriends and girlfriend stuff,

Conflict resolution help,

And answers for their fears.

Dear children, God's and His Word is THE place to go for the very best answers!

"There is one, even Jesus Christ, that can speak to thy condition"--George Fox

Lord, your Word is a precious gift to your children.  Thank you for this wonderful gift.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle fall in love with the Bible, for it is your Holy Word.  I pray that it is the place they run to when they need answers for the things they are going through in their lives.  When times are hard, may they seek You through your Word.  When they need answers to the questions they face in life, may they hunt through your Scriptures.  Your Word will offer comfort, peace, hope, answers, and joy as they take time to soak in it.  I pray that it becomes a living and active part of their lives.  
 

 

Thankful Thursday: Big Successes!

"Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.  Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom."  Psalm 145:2-3

 Photo by Lyss

Praising God for so many things today.  In fact, I'm bouncing up and down and beaming with pride.  God is sooooo good!

• Lyss got word this week that she won the two scholarships that she went to Oregon to interview for a couple of weekends ago!!!  The pride on her face, and the joy in her voice, when she received word was priceless.  We are just thanking the Lord for her success and His provision.

•  Last weekend Kyle had his first tryouts for the high school baseball team.  What a great honor it is for him to be a freshman and picked for the JV baseball team.  He is one of three freshman who made it.  On top of that, it appears that he will have the opportunity to practice and fill-in for the short-stop on the Varsity team.  Kyle is pretty humble when talking about all of this, so he doesn't quite show the same pride and joy as Lyss did with her scholarships, but I can tell that he's thrilled for this opportunity.  More thanks goes to the Lord for sure!

There's more, but nothing tops these this week! I'm so proud of both of my kids!

Lord, today I will praise you and every day I will extol your name for ever and ever.  Great are you Lord and most worthy of praise; your greatness no one can fathom!  Thank you for these abundant blessings!  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know that it was by your hand that they found success and blessing.  Make their hearts eager to give thanks, and may they too praise you every day!  I love you, dear Jesus! 

 

Wordless Wednesday

Healthy Habits

" I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me!  1 Corinthians 9:26 (The Message)

For weeks (or months) now, Kyle has been conditioning for the new baseball season that is about to begin.  On top of that he's been taking a weight lifting class since the beginning of the school year.  Between all this "fun" stuff, he's growing strong and healthy.

Kyle's dad is good at keeping up with good exercise too. I need to be better at following their example. 

Today, as Kyle's out running "suicides" and lifting a few pounds in the weight room, I am reminded to pray for our kid's continued health in life, but also their discipline to do their part to stay that in tip-top shape.

You better pray for their mom as well...

Lord, our bodies are the temple of your Holy Spirit, and you want us to lead disciplined and healthy lives.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle find within themselves to do their best at keeping their bodies in tip-top shape, looking to your help to be disciplined in their eating habits and exercise.  I don't want them to be obsessed by it, by any means, nor become prideful in their body image, but I do pray that they become good stewards of the bodies you have given them.  May they give everything that have to keep from sloppy living.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for Alyssa and Kyle's health and their strong and able bodies.  You have fearfully and wonderfully made my precious babies!  And oh how I love them!