Salvation Saturday

I pray, dear Jesus, 
that Alyssa and Kyle 
 find rest in You alone; 
their hope comes only from You.
 
You alone, Lord, 
are their rock and their salvation;


You are their fortress, and 
I pray that they will not be shaken.
Alyssa and Kyle's salvation and honor 
depend on You;

  

God, You are their mighty rock, and their refuge.

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle trust in You at all times,

and pour out their hearts to You,
for You alone are their refuge. (Psalm 62:5-8)

 

Much to be Thankful For!

I'm Baaaaaack!

And I have much to be thankful for!  My trip to Hawaii was totally delightful, and at the same time, I am glad to be home with my dear family. I would be remiss to give God praise for my vacation.

• Hawaii was beautiful!  Every time I had coffee on the balcony, swam in the ocean, or visited a new place, I found myself thinking of God's amazing creativity and love for His people.

• Time with my mom, sister and niece was precious, and I was reminded how blessed I am.  We laughed, laughed and laughed and have memories to last a life time!

• I couldn't have taken this trip without the support and encouragement from my hubby.  He sent me without any qualms or regrets and did a great job taking care of the kiddos all the while working his tail off at church.  He's my hero and my love!

• And my kids seemed happy I came home.  Of course, I was bearing gifts so maybe that was part of their excitement.  I loved that they asked questions about my time away, and acted like they enjoyed hearing my stories. 

• A few things to give God praise for while I was away...Lyss got her first pay check and loves the freedom it gives her to spend, spend, spend.  And Kyle had a couple great days of baseball, going 5 for 7, with a triple, and 6 RBI's (for those of you who know baseball lingo) one day, and going 4 for 6, with 2 doubles, and 2 RBI's on another.   He was on fire! Wish I could have been there!

 Kyle's triple (June 2013)

God is soooo good to me!  Words cannot express my gratitude enough.

Dear Precious Savior, my heart is full of praise and thanksgiving! You have spoiled me beyond anything I deserve.  I saw you in the beauty and creativity of your creation, and felt your protection in our coming and goings.  Thank you so much for your extravagant love!

  

Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit

 

Forgive People

"For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, 
your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 
 But if you don’t forgive people, 
your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing." 
 Matthew 6:14-15 (HCSB)

God's teaching on forgiveness is pretty much "black and white". 

FORGIVE , Babies!

Alyssa's Birthday Sleep-over (2008)

Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle forgive people for their wrongdoing.  Give them hearts that are don't hold onto mistakes and hurts long, but are quick to give forgiveness and understanding.  Mend their hearts where they are hurt, and give them confidence in who you've made them, and how you love them, so that they can pass that love and consideration to others.  May Alyssa and Kyle be givers of forgiveness!

 

Fix Your Attention

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."  Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)

Lyssa (left) and Friends, Bible Quizzing (2007)

Lord, I pray for the desire in Alyssa and Kyle's heart to fix their daily attention onto you.  Oh how I hope that they don't become so well adjusted to the world that they fit into it without even thinking.  Help them choose to be aliens and strangers of this world.  Give Alyssa and Kyle a hunger and thirst for your Word, and for whatever it is that You, Lord, desire for their lives.  Bring out the best in Alyssa and Kyle and help th em develop a deep maturity in you.   I thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer.

 

No Other God

Then God gave the people all these instructions:

“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

“You must not have any other god but me."

Exodus 20:1-3 

Have you ever played the game "4 Pics 1 Word"?  Well, here's your chance.  Here are a few pictures and you have to figure out what they all have in common (besides each picture including Alyssa).

 Lord, you are God.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle have no other gods but you.  It's so easy in life to have other addictions, or things we put our hope, joy and trust in, but I pray that you alone are God in their lives.  May they always put their trust only in you. 

 

Lend a Hand

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”  Romans 15:1-2 (The Message)

Lyssa & Friends (2006)

Let's pray some scripture:

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle are strong and able in the faith and can step in and lend a hand to those who falter and not just do what is most convenient for themselves.  The strength you give Alyssa and Kyle is for service, not status.  May they always look after the good of the people around them and have hearts that are always asking "how can I help?"

 

Thankful Thursday

"Be cheerful no matter what; 
pray all the time; 
thank God no matter what happens. 
This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live." 
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (The Message)

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to be thankful individuals, giving you praise no matter what happens in their lives.  Being cheerful no matter what is hard and is a hard discipline, but is how you want us to be.  So, whatever today holds, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle can give you praise and thanks!

(Alyssa and friend, 1995)

 

Wordless Wednesday

photo credit

 

Flourishing Faith

"Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing."  2 Thessalonians 1:3

Cousins (2005)

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle's faith in you grows and flourishes by leaps and bounds.  Without faith it is impossible to please you, and whoever chooses to draw near to you must believe that you exist and you will reward those who seek you.  May Alyssa and Kyle have assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.  Faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. Lord, you are as vast as the sands of the sea, and as powerful as the waves of the ocean, and I pray Alyssa and Kyle know that power and live in a deep, abiding, and growing faith.

 

No Lies

"What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself."  Ephesians 4:25

Kyle (1999)

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always speak truth.  Lies are so harmful to relationships and keep us from representing You.  May truth always be on their lips.

 

Surrender and Trusting Him

Today, I am leaving on vacation.  I've scheduled some blogs while I am away, but they have little or no commentary from my daily life since I will be separated from my sweet husband, daughter and son for the next 12 days.  I may find a way to post a picture or two of the fun I am having, but otherwise I will be "on blog-vacation" for a while.  I will still be praying for my sweet babies though...oh how I will miss them!

 

Blessings on you, as you keep on praying!

 

 

 

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
   he answers him from his holy heaven
   with the saving power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
   but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
   but we rise up and stand firm.  

--Psalm 20:6-8 

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to trust you.  Keep them from putting their trust in success, in others, or in the things of this world.  Build their trust so that it's deep and wide, and strengthen their roots in you and grow them deep in you, dear Jesus.  May they always trust in you and not men. (Psalm 146:3)  Help Alyssa and Kyle to learn to always trust in you and not to lean on their own understanding, but in all their ways acknowledge you, for you will make their paths straight.  (Proverbs 3:5, 6)  Make their hearts willing and able to put their trust in  you, all the days of their life.  For blessed is the man who puts his hope and trust in you. (Psalm 84:12)  When Alyssa and Kyle trust in you, Lord, I pray that they will prosper. (Proverbs 28:25)  I know that they can trust in you Lord forever, for you Lord, the Lord, are the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)

 

God's Wonderful Creation

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."  Ephesians 2:10

 
Lord, I am so in awe of the beauty and wonder of our children, Alyssa and Kyle. I know that  they are perfectly and wonderfully made by you.  Every gift, passion, and dream is fashioned for your pleasure and purpose.  I believe you have perfect plans for their lives.  You have gifted them each in special ways and you desire that they will use those gifts to do your work and bring you glory.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle can discover what they were made for and find your great purpose and meaning for their lives.  Discerning your will takes discipline, effort and desire.  You are God, and Creator of all, and I know and trust in your perfect and pleasing plan for Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  Oh for them to live in the confidence of you and your plan...that is my prayer! 

 

Thankful Thursday

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."  Hebrews 12:28

Lyssa enjoyed a day on the farm!

Here's a few things I am thankful for this week...

• Lyssa spent a day helping her friend paint the inside of her house. (The picture above is from that adventurous day.)
• Our church staff had a dinner and I was reminded how blessed I am by the life God has allowed me live being in pastoral ministry...and we work with a great bunch of people.
• Saturday we celebrated 5 graduates in our church, and again I was struck by the precious relationships in that room and what a wonderful church family we have.
• Sunday evening Lyssa, and her boyfriend Jered, made dinner for the family.  Be still my heart. 
• Kyle helped teach Sunday School in the 2-5 year old class on Sunday.  I think he actually had a good time.  I was touched by his openness to help out.
• Sunday someone blessed me with a gift for my upcoming trip.  I was touched by their generosity and God's provision for my splurge vacation.
• Lyssa has been working each day this week.  So thankful she found a summer job.
• One night both kids were piled up on my bed, chatting up a storm, and I loved that.  These days are few and I want to treasure each moment as they come. (Picture below, thought it's not very good.  My teenagers like to take their own pictures, but fight me when I want to take a picture of them.)

God has been so evident this week and my heart is filled with reverence and awe.

Lord, I am thankful for the life you have given me.  I am richly blessed.  I love the ways I see your hand at work in Alyssa and Kyle's lives and know that you are continually wooing them to yourself.  Thank you for being a wonderful Savior, Protector, Father, and Friend. 

 

Wordless Wednesday

Photo credit

 

Her First Job

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce."  Proverbs 3:9 (New Living Translation)

Lyssa has her first real, paying, job.  She's done babysitting and a few photo shoots that have given her some spending money, but this will be the first job where she has to punch a time clock.  I'm one happy mom, and I think she is one happy girl!

Learning how to budget her money, and make decisions on what to spend, how much to save, and if she will tithe, will all be a new adventure for her. We'll offer her suggestions, and have taught her the importance of all these things when she was younger, but this will all be new to her. 

Money habits are sometimes hard lessons to learn.  My prayer is that Alyssa will listen to wisdom, pray about her decisions, and act wisely when she gets her first paycheck.   Cause ready or not, here it comes!

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle honor you with their work and wealth.  May they heed your call to give some of their money back to you, and choose wisely on how to save and spend the remainder.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to find themselves disciplined in their spending, generous in their giving, and smart in their saving, all which will bring glory to you.

And, precious Savior, be with Lyss as she begins her new job.  Give her the strength she needs for long days and the wisdom to learn the job quickly and with ease.  She has great opportunity to represent you to the people she meets and I pray she does that well.  Lord, thank you for this job.  I pray that Lyss finds great joy from working hard and earning her way in this world.  Amen.

 

Ironing Out Differences

"I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges."  Philippians 4:2 (The Message)

Photo Credit

Differences come and go.  Some days my kids fight over this, that, and everything.  Even at 19 and 16 Alyssa and Kyle fight over the silliest of things...

what to say,
when to eat,
where to sit,
how to be.

One day, I'm sure I'll be able to look back and laugh at their antics and attitude.  And hopefully so will they.

But grudges can easily take root.  I hope that in the process of being nit-picky, sassy, grumbly, and impatient, that my dear, sweet children learn to forgive as easily as they fight.

Ironing out differences is about as "fun" as doing the real ironing around here, but both are completely worth the effort.  The outcome is always a smoother, more beautiful, relationship.

"I urge Alyssa and Kyle to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges."

Dear Precious Savior, move in and through Alyssa and Kyle and help them to be patient with one another, loving each other despite all their difference, faults and failures.  It's hard work learning how to not hold grudges, but you are the perfect Teacher.  So, teach Alyssa and Kyle, Father, to love completely, forgive easily, and be fully patient and kind to one another, and in each of their relationships.  Thank you, Lord, for being actively present in our kids lives.

 

A Walking Partner

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."  Isaiah 43:2

Another school year is done.  I'm now the proud mother of a sophomore in college and a junior in high school,  I can hardly believe how fast time has flown.  It feels like just yesterday Alyssa and Kyle were being dropped off at the nearby elementary school.  I have sweet memories of those days long ago.

I remember monkey bars and blisters.  Back then Kyle needed to use a step (and a stretch) to reach the "high" bar, but now can probably touch it standing flat footed.  My boy has grown.

And then there was "pacers".  Every Friday the kids would walk a quarter mile path around the school and earn a "pacer" each time they crossed the finish line.  Even better, if a parent came and walked "pacers", the child's pacer number was doubled.  If they got so many pacers in a month they'd get a reward.  So, being the competitive, stay-at-home mom I was, I'd go to the school and walk with Kyle.  As a team we were the bomb!

As I reflected on that time long ago, I reveled in the fact that Kyle took great delight in my help.  He always reminded me to show up, and I'd do everything I could to make sure I'd be there.  I always loved the moment when the bell would ring and I'd hand off my pacers into his little hand and he'd flash me a big grin.  We "won"...together!

I pray that just like then, Kyle (and Alyssa) will always know that I'll be there if at all possible when help is needed.  And more importantly, I pray that they know the One who always shows up to walk with them each and every day.


Lord, thank you for the precious memories I hold onto, and the growth and change I see in my children.  I can now see eye to eye with them instead of having to kneel down to get on their level.  It's so hard to believe how fast the time has gone sometimes.  I pray that even as Alyssa and Kyle get older they know they can look to their parents for help. Life cannot be lived without someone to love and encourage them.  I thank you, Lord, that you are the true Helper, and that you walk with us through all of life.  I pray that they know that you lavish love on your children, and that you will never leave them or forsake them.  May they sense You, sweet Father, walking with them today.
 

Let Anger Straggle in the Rear

"If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; 

calmness can lay great offenses to rest." --Ecclesiastes 10:4

Sensible people control their temper;
    they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. 

 --Proverbs 19:11

"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life."  --James 1:19-21

Lord, you are the great Teacher, and your children sometimes have many things to learn.  You are a God who is slow to anger, abounding in love, and you forgive sin and rebellion.  Help us to have the same attitude.  Teach Alyssa and Kyle patience, love, and forgiveness, I pray.  Calm responses can lay great offenses to rest.   Help them to lead with their ears, follow up with their tongues, and let their anger straggle along in the rear.  May Alyssa and Kyle reflect you, dear Jesus.