Monday, September 30, 2013

Facing A Fear

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

There are many things in this life that I miss out on because of fear. 

This could have been one of those things.



Yes, I went zip-lining this weekend!

I just didn't like the heights factor of this adventure.

And I wasn't dressed appropriately.

Nor did I have the right shoes. (They duct taped my flip-flops onto my feet.)

Yet, every reason not to go, seemed to fade with reasoning.


Obviously my hubby wasn't so afraid...



But I faced my fears, with a bit of prodding, and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon with my friends.  Had I let my fear win, I would have really missed out.


God gives us the courage to face those things in our lives that we want to avoid.  He strengthens. He holds.  He blesses.  I pray that when our kids face struggles, fears, and obstacles, that they will put themselves in God's very capable and strong hands, and depend on Him for His help. 

Alyssa and Kyle, be strong and courageous in all things!  For with Him all things are possible!  Just look at your mom, she went zip-lining!  Who would have thought?

(PS...I even took one hand off...for a second!)


Lord, thank you for helping your children face their fears and stand strong and courageous in the midst of hard things.  We don't have to tremble or be dismayed because you are with us wherever we go.  When Alyssa and Kyle have fears, I pray that they look to you for strength, protection, and help in their times of need.  Your presence helps us to face things that seem insurmountable.  With you, dear Jesus, we can scale a wall.  Thank you, for helping me to conquer my fears!  I pray that my example encourages Alyssa and Kyle to go out and face their fears as well.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Salvation Saturday

“You are My flock, the human flock of My pasture, and I am your God.” This is the declaration of the Lord God."  Ezekiel 34:31 HCSB


 Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle are always a part of your flock, the human flock of your pasture.  You declare that you are Alyssa and Kyle's God.  I hold fast to this promise for my children, for your love extends to a thousand generations.  

 

Friday, September 27, 2013

Call to Him

This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, 
made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: 


‘Call to me and I will answer you.


 I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things 
that you could never figure out on your own.’ 

 Jeremiah 33:2-3 (The Message)

Lord, thank you for the promise that when we call to you, you will answer, and when we can't figure out things you will give us wisdom and insight.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle learn to talk to you like one would talk to a friend, and seek you when they need answers and have struggles.  Oh what marvelous and wondrous things you want to share with them.  I ask that you help Alyssa and Kyle to understand the power and sweetness of prayer, and find joy and delight as they find you in your Word.  You, Lord, have the answers they need, and will shower them with wisdom and love as they call on your name. May the truth of this promise come alive to Alyssa and Kyle, and they experience first hand your intimate and all-knowing voice.  Oh what blessing they will find!

 

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Thankful Thursday

“Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you."  Nehemiah 9:5-6

There are some weeks that cause you just to stand up and give God praise!  I'm thankful for His presence and work in our family's life.
  • I attended a Women's Retreat in McCall and I loved the time to worship and learn!
  • God has used many people to shape and stretch my walk with Him, and the speaker at the retreat, was one of those important people.  I was reminded to give Him thanks for the blessing she is.
  •  A friend of mine came to retreat with me and we enjoyed a Saturday afternoon at the coffee shop with our Bibles and Bible studies. 
  • A skype call with our girl, THREE week after she moved into her college apartment.  She's been struggling with some roommate issues, but God is helping her find some mature solutions.  I love knowing that there are lots of people praying for her!
  • I loved Lyssa's smile!
  • I love Kyle's discipline and hard working attitude.
  • I am thankful that Lyssa's new job is getting easier.
  • I am blessed by a hubby who works so hard, and loves people so much, as he fulfills God's call on his life.
  • I loved lunch with a friend.
  • I smiled through a phone call with my mom.
  • I revel in answered prayers.

"Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise."

 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Relationship Dealings

"Remind them to... malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.Titus 3:1-2 (NASB)


What happened to my blog post yesterday?  No great reason except that my brain was in a fog from attending Women's Retreat all weekend.  I know, excuses, excuses.  It never even crossed my mind until I was thinking about my phone call with Lyss on Sunday and was praying for her. (Yes, I finally heard from her...its been three weeks since she left for school.)

Lyss has been experiencing some struggles with her new roommates.  Everyone is different and has different ideas on how an apartment should look and run.  Conflicts with other people are a fact of life, yet how we deal with them can reflect if God is an active part of our lives.

My prayer for both of my kids is that they can deal with difficult circumstances and people with kindness, gentleness and love.  It won't always be easy, but with God's help, it's possible.  Speak with love.  Don't ignore.  Forgive easily.

I'm banking that with Him big changes will take place for Lyss and her roommates, and that they will not just "survive" one another, but come to enjoy new friendships.

Lord, you call us to love one another, forgive seventy times seven, and respond with gentleness.  Relationships with other people can sometimes be a challenge and following your plan in the midst of conflict can be harder than it sounds.  Help Alyssa and Kyle as they deal with struggles with other people.  Keep their mind focused on you, and your hopes for their responses.  Extending kindness and grace can sometimes be hard, but with you, dear Jesus, it's possible.  Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to be peaceable and show consideration to others, even in their disagreements.

 

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Salvation Saturday


Lord, I know you take delight in Alyssa and Kyle!  I pray that they know that delight and believe that you're the One who offers salvation, forgives their sins, and gives the gift of eternal life.  May they know you, dear Father, in personal and precious ways and develop a dynamic and obedient relationship with you.  Oh that Alyssa and Kyle will call you Savior, Father, and Friend all the days of their life.  That is my most fervent prayer!
 

Friday, September 20, 2013

I Am the Clay

"The day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Assemble the people before Me, and I will let them hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth and may instruct their children.’"  Deuteronomy 4:10

Photo Credit
Yesterday was the first video in our new Women's Bible Study.  This year we are studying Beth Moore's study "To Live Is Christ" about the life and ministry of Paul.  In the introduction video Beth Moore gave us five learning disabilities in the "Christian Classroom". They are so relevant to my life, and give me pause to think about my personal walk with God, but also my kid's journey with Him.  Maybe you'll find these "disabilities" challenging and encouraging as well.

1.  Spiritual Attention Deficit Disorder...This term applies to the person who has troubles paying attention for very long.
2.  Spiritual Hyperactivity...when we can't be still.
3.  Spiritual Dyslexia...when we get things turned upside down or turned around and tend to think we are in charge instead of God.
4.  Vision Impairment...when we don't see God's bigger picture, but only what is closest to us.
5.  Hearing Impairment...when He has a word for us and we turn our back on Him, leading to rebellion.

God wants us to have teachable and pliable hearts, where He is the Potter and we are the clay.  And not the other way around.  So, today, that is my prayer for myself...and my teenagers who sometimes think they know it all. 

Lord, help our hearts to be teachable.  Mold us, dear Jesus, I pray.  Let Alyssa and Kyle hear your words, so that they may learn to fear You.  I pray that they become life-long students of you and your Word.  Make their hearts like yours, dear Jesus!

 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Thankful Thursday

"I will make them and the area around My hill a blessing: I will send down showers in their season — showers of blessing."  Ezekiel 34:26 HCSB

Photo taken by Lyssa

It's been a week full of God's showers!
  • Lyssa reported that she had a "really fun" Leader's Retreat last weekend, which was an answer to prayer after she announced she was worried about going.  God was with her!
  • Kyle went to a night of bowling with some area churches.  There's something wonderful about the fellowship with other believers.
  • Kyle also got 100% on his CPR exam!  Now he maybe can save a life if needed!
  • Our new puppy still brings us joy.  We found it hard to take him to the vet to get neutered this week.  Thankfully, we had "connections" through someone at church and had trusted care and a nice little discount.  God is good!  Mac was only slowed for one day.
  • Lyssa had a bit of a tough day or two last week and so many stepped in to pray for her, send her encouragement, and her Auntie even took her to lunch and a coffee.  I love that parenting is not a lone "sport." 
  • We've were showered with zucchini, cucumbers, raspberries, and donuts.  A wonderful combination.  Ha.  Every person so thoughtful though.
  • There's just something I love about my boy coming to find me to say good-bye each morning.  It makes my day!
 Yes, God is so good! 

Lord, thank you for your activity all around us and in the lives of our children.  Alyssa and Kyle have had the privilege of your blessing in their lives this week, and I pray that they recognize the good things you've done for them.  Thank you for answering prayer, showering us with your provision, and making a difference in so many ways.  I give you thanks, dear Jesus, for so many blessings.
 
 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Praying Scripture

Summer 2013

(1 John 2:15-17) 
Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle will not love the world’s ways. I pray that they don’t love the world’s goods. For having a love of the world squeezes out love for you, Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with their walk with you. It will just isolate Alyssa and Kyle from a vital and healthy relationship with you. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but when Alyssa and Kyle do what you want they will be set for eternity.

Thank you, Precious Savior.
Amen 

 

Monday, September 16, 2013

Circle of Good Friends

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)


Another school week begins!  As my kids head out to their classes today I'm praying for those they cross paths with.  I hope that they are surrounded by people who show them Jesus.

Lyssa went to a retreat this weekend with some peers and adults who live out their faith (picture below).  I loved seeing their goofiness, and know that they each take their walks with the Lord seriously.  I hope she found herself encouraged, and in turn was an encouragement to someone else!



Lord, please surround Alyssa and Kyle with friends and adults who point them towards you.  I pray that they each find encouragement, acceptance and accountability with those they are close to.  In turn, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle are that "good friend" to someone else.  Relationships can help us grow in our faith, and draw us closer to God, and I pray that those kind of friendships are in abundance in my kids lives!  Today, put someone in Alyssa and Kyle's lives that bless their socks off!

 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Return to Him

"I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."  --Isaiah 44:22 HCSB

 Summer 1998

Lord, I pray for Alyssa and Kyle's relationship with you.  I pray that they remember what they've been taught about you since they were young, and continue to work on their relationship with you.  May they lay their transgressions at your feet and believe you have swept them away and replaced them with love and forgiveness.  I pray that they daily seek you in their comings and goings.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always return to you, for You alone are God and can redeem their lives.
 
 

Friday, September 13, 2013

Relationships Hurt

“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. IAf he listens, you’ve made a friend."  Matthew 18:15

 My sweet family!

Any time we are in relationship with other people, there is bound to be conflict or hurt feelings.  Peacemaking, conflict resolution, and forgiveness are all hard lessons to learn, and practice doesn't always make it easier.

Today, in Women's Bible study, our "get to know you" question was "If you were Queen for a day, what law would you put in effect or what change would you make?"  One mom piped up and exclaimed, "No family fighting or sibling rivalry".  Amen.  Kids fight because they don't get their own way, which is not far from the reason adults fight either.

My prayer is that Alyssa and Kyle learn to deal with conflict, face hurts, and work through difficult situations.  Sometimes it will be by saying "I'm sorry".  And sometimes they will have to be brave and say "you hurt me".  Either way they will both take courage to do the right thing!

Do the hard work, babies, looking to Jesus for guidance and help!  He will be right there beside you, cheering you on!

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to manage their relationships well.  When a friend hurts them, or causes strife, help them to face into the conflict and work things out, salvaging and building up their relationships.  Give Alyssa and Kyle courage to work hard on their relationships, and strength and wisdom to forgive easily.  Relationships with other will bless and enrich their lives in many ways, and are worth the effort to mend the hurt and clear the air.  Thank you, Lord, that you help us do the hard work relationships take.  Amen.

 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Thankful Thursday

"My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long."--Psalm 71:8 HCSB

  Lord I praise you for...
  • Date day with my hubby (first time in quite a while).
  • Kyle got a new puppy and he makes us laugh...his snorts, how he loves to play CONTINUALLY, and is expressive big eyes. 
  • We sold one of the two cars we have up for sale.  Yeah God!
  • Sunday night was the start of our monthly prayer meeting for the youth of our church. We had a precious time of prayer.  I felt God's presence as we prayed for one another.
  • A fun surprise delivery of cookies on Bronco game day was a blessing.  And since my boys are big-time Bronco fans, it was a good thing that the right team won!
  • Kyle began a new baseball adventure this week at the invitation of the Boise Hawks coaches.  Let the practices begin.  
My mouth will be full of praise and honor to You all day long, sweet Jesus!  

Mac
 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Doing the Right Thing

"He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." -- 2 Kings 22:2 (NIV)


Kyle sure likes his new pickup!  And his dad is happy that we finally sold his old car.  It was beginning to look like a used car lot at our house.  Just one more vehicle for sale. 

Yesterday was the day we finally got the truck licensed.  Kyle's one question was if he had to have license places on the front and back of his truck.  It seems it's "cool" to only have plates on the back. Who knew?!  What we found out at the DMV, however, is that two plates are required.  One on the back and one on the front. 

Bummer for Kyle there is a "rule", and he knows the rule, because now that he knows, he has a responsibility to do the right thing.  It's tempting to say, "but other people don't have a license plate on the front," and follow the crowd, even knowing it's wrong.  All the time, there are these quandaries in life.

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always follow the rules and laws in life, no matter how "crazy" they seem, but even bigger than that, I pray they always do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, no matter how hard it feels.  Now that would make them some pretty wonderful children...God's children!

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always do what is right and follow completely your ways, not turning aside to the right or to the left. Make their hearts totally obedient to you...and for you, never swaying to follow the crowd or feelings that come and go.  Always doing what is right and good will ultimately bring you glory.  Thank you, Father, for Alyssa and Kyle and your continual work in their lives.  I trust you with their hearts, minds and souls!  Amen!

 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Just Another Monday

"Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge."  Proverbs 23:12

Another school week is about to begin. 

Tests,
lectures,
papers,
quizzes,
and dialogs!

Ready or not, here it comes! 

Lord, go before Alyssa and Kyle as they head off to school today. Watch over their every step and guide their decisions.  As they listen to teachers, help them to apply their hearts to instruction and tune their ears to wisdom.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to find joy in the things they are learning, and find it useful to who they want to become in the future.  Put teachers in their path to encourage and build them up, helping them to fall in love with learning.  This is the beginning of a new week and I pray it's a good one from beginning to end.  Amen!

 

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Salvation Saturday & Sunday


Being a mom is not for the faint of heart, I tell you!  Why didn't someone share that news with me before I entered the realm of no return?  And the struggles just don't end with potty training and teaching those little hoodlums how to sleep through the night.  Sorry if this is not encouraging news to some of you.  Though I think I do have some good news to share.

Before kids (and even still, though I hate to admit it) I had some pretty big fears about being a mom.  Would my kids grow up to be well adjusted adults?  Could I keep them from drugs, alcohol, smoking and other life-damaging things?  Was I going to teach them well enough to love the Lord or would they walk away from the faith of their parents? Oh how I feared loosing my precious babies to this world.  

So, to "prevent" these fears from becoming realities, over the years I've done things to ensure their safety and protection.  Since Alyssa and Kyle were born we've gone to church, attended play groups, sent them to church camp, and taught them about the Lord from my experiences.  But out of my intense insecurities, I hate to admit, I started writing this blog and even formed a parent prayer group at church.  I figured the more prayer for my kids the better!  I just didn't want to fail at this parenting thing.

In some ways, what I feel like I have failed at is this: trusting God to do His work.  I don't want to negate the importance of praying for my kids, but by golly, I think I need to confess that I need to trust God to do His job too.  He is the One who will do the work in Alyssa and Kyle's lives so that they know and believe in Him, and choose to live their lives according to His design and plan.  Me?  I just get to trust, pray, hope...and watch.  

That's pretty good news!

I hold onto this:   
"He is wooing MY KIDDOS from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction,    to the comfort of your table laden with choice food."  Job 36:16 (NIV)

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in THEM will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  Philippians 1:6 (NIV)


Oh precious Jesus, I trust you fully.  I trust you with Alyssa and know that you are continually wooing her to yourself. She is your daughter and you hold her in the palm of your hand, and will keep her in the center of your heart.   I also trust you with Kyle's heart and believe with all that I am, that He is your son and you will be calling his name, pursuing him around every corner, and have great plans for his life.  I am confident of this, you HAVE begun a good work in Alyssa and Kyle's lives and YOU will carry it on to completion.  They are yours Precious Savior, not mine.  I will continue to trust you, pray for them, hope with all that I am, and watch your hand at work in Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  This I pray, Amen!

 

Friday, September 6, 2013

A Soarin' Kind of Day!

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding. He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:28-31 HCSB


Today marks Alyssa and Kyle's first full week of college. I think it's probably too early to be tired and weary, but after a long summer break, the hard work of going to school each day, and with the need to get up early each day, I'm guessing my kiddos are dragging.

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle wake up to face one more day, cause YAHOO, it's Friday! I know mama is happy!

Lord, you are the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth, and I stand in awe that you never grow tired or weary!  Give Alyssa and Kyle strength today where they are weary.  Renew their strength and help them to soar through their day.  Thank you, Precious Savior, for helping us to run and soar!