No Wall Too Big

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” 2 Samuel 22:30

“With my God I can scale a wall!”
           
                  “With my God I can scale a wall!”

“With my God I can scale a wall!”

Sometimes I need to drill that "mantra" into my head.  There are days when the walls seem so monstrous.

I don’t know what “walls” my kids will have to face today as they head to school or work (today Kyle has baseball tryouts), but I know that God is with them, helping them climb to the top. Where tasks are too hard, I pray that God gives them the tenacity to work it through and find success. If their friendships seem to hit a detour, I pray that God is with them, filling them with wisdom, peace, and strength. Or when fear creeps into their hearts, I pray that they are reminded that with God, they can do all things.

Scaling walls is hard work, but with God, all things are possible! Grab a hold of Him, dear ones, and depend on His safety and strength to get you to the top of the wall.

Lord, with you we can scale walls. What a promise to hold onto when the walls seem too high or too hard! Your Word is full of reminders of your faithfulness, your help, and your strength. I pray that my children know the reality of those truths in their lives, and have learned that with you all things are possible. Remind Alyssa and Kyle that they can do all things through you who gives them strength. Lord, when they are aware of the walls before them, may they know whom to look to for help, and may they sense your presence near them in real and precious ways. Speak reassurances into their hearts, ears and minds, that remind them of your love, your help, and your peace. Teach them that they can scale any wall with you by their side. No wall is impossible to scale with you as the guide!
 

Thankful Thursday!

"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”  John 14:21

I have felt loved, in so many ways, by my Heavenly Father this week!  He shows Himself in beautiful ways!

• Our daughter got engaged into a young man she's been dating for 5 1/2 years.  I loved her declaration that she was "beyond happy".  Though I find myself anxious about her age, God clearly has told me to trust Him.  I've also loved the abundance of texts and facetime calls with Lyss since her engagement, asking questions, making plans, and keeping her parents in the loop. 

• Kyle has been working hard at both school and baseball.  I love his discipline for sure!  One blessing is that he is going to a big baseball camp this summer and someone gifted us with a check to help in the cost of this big adventure.  Words cannot express our gratitude.

• Ken and Kyle had a great time at Man Camp, and I sensed God answering some of my prayers about men who will speak truth and blessing into my teenage son's life.  Our young men need to see grown men living out their faith, and not ashamed of following God.  

• Our dog Mac had a brief stint of crazy wheezing and was pretty lethargic for a day, which is really cause for alarm when the mutt lives on high energy most of the time.   I was thankful that we have a veterinary friend in our church and she was quick to respond and give us help.  It seems that our dog was suffering from allergies.  Oh great, we needed another allergy mess around here.

Thank you, Lord, for the ways I sense your love and care over our family!  I see you in beautiful ways and my heart is full of gratitude and awe.  

 

Wordless Wednesday

(Photo Credit)

 

He Listens ALWAYS!

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13

 My family! (2013)

I love that God promises that He will listen to us when we talk to Him. He never tires of us.  I'm so thankful!

I wasn't always so available. I'm reminded of nights, that seem just a short time ago, when Alyssa and Kyle would want to chat, chat, and chat some more when it was time for bed.  By that time of the night I felt D-O-N-E.  There were times that I wasn't the greatest listener. 

But God is different.  God listens, night or day, with His full attention.

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle pour their hearts out to Him...
when they don't know which direction to go,
when they look towards their future,
when they are troubled,
when their hearts hurt,
when they have dreams, hopes, and passions,
and when they are full of gratitude!

Alyssa and Kyle, when you call on God and pray to Him, He will listen to you!  What a gift!

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to pray and help them know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you listen to them.  Teach them to pour out their hearts and cast their cares on you.  Oh the joy they will find of getting to know you as they talk to you in conversation and listen for your voice.  I pray, dear Jesus, that they know the beauty of a personal relationship with you.  That is my greatest hope!


 

Encircle, Surround, and Hem Them In

  Alyssa and Kyle (1999)

Those who trust in God
    are like Zion Mountain:
Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain
    you can always depend on.
Mountains encircle Jerusalem,
    and God encircles his people—
    always has and always will.
(Psalm 125:1-2 The Message)

For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
    he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
(Psalm 34:7 NLT) 

You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
(Psalm 139:5 NIV)

Oh Precious Savior, surround my children.  Hem them in behind and before.  Surround and guide Alyssa and Kyle all the days of their life.  Your presence is always with them, and as a mom, that allows me to rest and find confidence. Lord, protect Alyssa and Kyle physically as they drive, play sports,hang with their friends, go to school and just in the dailiness of life  Guard them emotionally in relationships and with their self image.  And watch over Alyssa and Kyle spiritually, growing their trust in you, developing their faith, and keeping the Enemy from putting doubts in their hearts and minds.  Lord, encircle Alyssa and Kyle in everything they do today!  They are yours completely and I trust you with their lives.


 

Thankful Thursday!

"He is wooing you 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

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all..."  2 Corinthians 5:14

"The Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised."  Joshua 23:10


I know that God is pursuing my children.  He longs for them to love Him, believe in Him, and spend their lives forever by His side.  And He longs for that deeper than this mother does.

Oh, to know that He is wooing Alyssa and Kyle to Himself.

There's nothing sweeter!

Lord, thank you for your continual pursuit of Alyssa and Kyle.  Thank you that you long for them to be your daughter and son, and to speak to them as one would speak to a friend (Exodus 33:11). You fight for them to belong to you.  You woo them into a love relationship with their Savior.   I kur now, Lord, that you will never give up on them, and will always show up in the different parts of their lives.  Open their eyes that they might see your uncompromising presence and unconditional love.  Move their hearts to beat after yours.  Thank you, Lord, for loving your children!
 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Walking Partners

"And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God."  1 Samuel 23:16

 

I'm thankful today for those who walk alongside me in my journey as wife, mother, and follower of Christ.  There are so many who encourage me, teach me, and stretch me to be better all areas of my life.

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle find lifelong friends who bring them great delight and joy, and push them to grow in their faith.  Friends who speak God's truth into their lives, always show grace and forgiveness, and spur them on towards good deeds. Partners on our journey of faith is one of the greatest treasures of life.

We can live this life on our own, but it's so much sweeter walking it with friends.

Lord, I love your presence in my life.  With you I find great encouragement, hope, strength, and joy.  You are my God, and I love you.  Thank you for blessing me with friends who walk beside me on this journey, and help me strive to be a better wife, mother, and child of God.  My heart is full of gratitude.  Fill Alyssa and Kyle's lives with friends who will do the same for them; friends who will encourage them to draw closer to you, who will speak truth in love, and be with them through the thick and thin.  Lord, you give us special people who enrich our lives in beautiful ways.  Thank you for such a sweet gift.
 

Praying for Purity

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."  1 Corinthians 6:12

I like this video. It's a good reminder to pray for our kids sexual purity.


Lord, you call your children to live holy and blameless lives, and that includes avoiding any hint of sexual immorality.  You have made sex to be something truly beautiful when it is between a man and wife, in the context of marriage. Holy Spirit convict Alyssa and Kyle's hearts, even now, to make the decision to refrain from anything that leads to sexual impurity.  Speak to them, and fill them with courage, conviction and strength when temptation is near.  Remind them of your desire and plan for their lives, and that you will honor their relationships and marriage if they follow your guidelines for purity. Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to make wise choices that lead to lives that glorify you.  Even now, dear Jesus, be doing the same work in the lives of those who will be their spouse.  May they find true loves, who have waited expectantly, and in purity, just the way you've designed it to be.  May their marriages be blessed abundantly because of their strong commitments to remain pure.  I pray, Lord, that we live lives that are holy and honorable to you!

Praying Scripture

God, you are a a safe place for Alyssa and Kyle to hide,
    and you're ready to help when they need you.
I pray that Alyssa and Kyle stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
    courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
    the tremors that shift mountains.

You, our Jacob-wrestling God, fight for Alyssa and Kyle,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protect Alyssa and Kyle.

River fountains splash joy, cooling your city,
    this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God, you live here, the streets are safe,
    You are at Alyssa and Kyle's service from the crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
    but Earth does anything he says.

You, Jacob-wrestling God, fight for Alyssa and Kyle,

    God-of-Angel-Armies protect Alyssa and Kyle.

Psalm 46:1-8

 

Thankful Thursday

I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

 Isaiah 45:3 

My hubby took me on a lovely getaway last weekend.  

The picture above is the view outside our window 

when we woke up Saturday morning.  Lots of snow!

Kyle getting ready for the Sweethearts Dance.  

He tied his tie in a fancy knot by watching a YouTube video.  

He was mighty handsome!

 Kyle and his girlfriend Tia as they headed out to the Sweethearts Dance.

  I'm work with a team of ladies to put on an annual Women's Retreat, 

and last weekend was our fundraiser.  We put on a Spaghetti Feed

and dessert auction, raising $1,707.00  So blessed. 

This dessert (above) is the one we "won"!  Kyle wanted the raspberries!

Kyle's transcript after this last semester.  Each semester he is improving.

He's such a disciplined student.

A surprise Valentines delivery was dropped off yesterday.  

More raspberries for Kyle, sweet treats, and a yummy dinner!

The thoughtfulness touched my heart.

Lord, thank you for the hidden treasures in this week that remind me of your presence in our lives.  You are so good to us!

 

Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit

 

I Do It!

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."  Proverbs 14:23

Alyssa working hard (1997).

A phrase that I often heard my independent little daughter use was, "I do it."  Most of the time I loved those sweet words coming from her mouth.  Only when I was in a hurry, did I struggle to let her figure things out on her own. But now, I'm thinking that can-do attitude will help her go far in life. 

When her homework is hard to understand,

 I pray that she will respond with "I do it."

 

When relationships take work to figure out, 

I pray that she will choose to say "I do it."

 

When God issues a call on her life, and it seems to difficult, 

I pray that she shouts "I do it."

 

When a task seems too difficult, 

may her first words be "I do it."

And though I pray for this independent strength in my daughter, where she doesn't give up too easily on hard tasks, I also pray that she never pushes God aside and forgets to look to Him for the the wisdom, strength, and guidance she truly needs for a successful life.

Being independent and dependent at the same time, can be a tough act to balance, but I know she can do it.

A job well done!

You Lord are my strength and my song; you have become my salvation.  Be my children's strength and salvation.  Fill them with your spirit and give them a confidence to say "I can do it!", no matter how difficult the task.  When they are unsure, fearful, or lacking the strength, I pray that they look to you, Lord, for wisdom, hope, assurance, and peace.  Be their guide, day after day, and moment by moment, filling them with everything they need for any situation.  Sovereign Lord, be my children's strength; make their feet like the feet of a deer, you enable them to go on the heights. 

 

Good and Bad Pride

"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding."  Matthew 6:1 (The Message)

Most of the trouble

 in the world is caused 

by people wanting to 

be important 

.- T.S. Eliot

In general, pride is at

 the bottom 

of all great mistakes. 

- John Ruskin

Pride can be ugly.  I feel the ugliness when I find my mouth or heart wanting to cry out with self-awareness and exaltation.  

Pride builds up walls.  Especially in relationships when our lifting of self puts down someone else.

Pride just really sours life if we allow it to give us a big head, a loud mouth, and a tall standing in our own eyes.  

I want my kids to be proud of who they are, and what they have become or done in their lives, without the ugly kind of pride that makes them look ugly to others.

Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to be careful not to practice their righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If they do, they will have no reward from you.  You have gifted them in beautiful ways, but may they always be careful to use those gifts to glorify you instead of themselves.  May your Holy Spirit tug at their hearts, when they start becoming prideful, and remind them of your call to humility.  May Alyssa and Kyle always shine you in their words and actions, and in the depths of their hearts as they find success in their life, and give you all the credit and praise.

 

Real Friends

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother."  Proverbs 18:24

Lyssa and her friend (2008)

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle are protected from friends that try to destroy them, but instead have real friends that stick closer than a brother. (Prov. 18:24)  Keep them safe from troublemakers that plant seeds of strife, and those who gossip because it separates and destroys the best of friends (Prov. 16:28)  Instead give Alyssa and Kyle friends who sharpen them like iron sharpens iron. (Prov. 27:17)  Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.(Eccl. 4:9-12) I pray, Lord, that you give Alyssa and Kyle good friends, and in turn that they will be good friends to others.
 

Breathing Room for My Soul

 God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life.

Psalm 62:5-6 




It's my Thankful Thursday list!

• Lunch with a friend brought perspective and peace.
• A memorial service reminded me of God's blessing of so many special people in my life through ministry, and His transforming work in the lives of His children.
• Sunday I was struck by how deep, wide, and high is the love of Christ.  Sometimes I forget.
• A sweet text from Lyss asking how we were surviving the Superbowl at our house.  Though my Bronco fans were somber and discouraged, I loved that she cared enough to check in. 
• On Monday my dear hubby and I finally had our regular Monday date-day.  It had been way too long.  We took a peaceful drive out of the city and into some beautiful country (picture above) and enjoyed the rest and rejuvenation it brought.  
• We are about over the awful crud at our house.  Amen!
• Kyle's been talking college plans.  Is it that time already?  Just watching little moments where God's plan for his life might be unfolding.  Its too early to tell, but I'm trusting God for Kyle's future.
• A frozen yogurt date with my two boys was the cherry on top of my Tuesday!

Here's a few more pictures I took this week of things I was thankful for...

  
Lord, everything I hope for comes from you!  You are the solid rock under my feet, and the breathing room for my soul!  Thank you for the visible signs of your presence in my life.  Thank you for Alyssa and Kyle and for the ways you are at work in their lives.  Because I see your faithfulness in my life, I know you are faithful in Alyssa and Kyle's life too.  You are good, oh so good!  My hope in you breaths life into my soul!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Generous and Giving Hearts

Photo Credit

"Be generous to the poor—you'll never go hungry;
   shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses."  

--Proverbs 28:27 (The Message)

"When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. 

Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. 

That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, 

working behind the scenes, helps you out."

 --Matthew 6:3-4 (The Message)

"God loves it when the giver delights in the giving."

--2 Corinthians 9:7 (The Message)

                           

Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to be cheerful givers.  May their hearts respond with a big "yes" when they see others who are in need.  Teach them to be especially generous to the poor and needy.  Help them to be wise in their spending and saving, so that they can have the freedom to be generous whenever they are aware of a need.  As they find wonderful opportunities to be a blessing to others, keep their pride in check and keep their mouths from boasting about their giving.  I pray, dear Jesus, that they will always give out of a heart of love and generosity, and not out of guilt, pride, or because of someone else's expectation besides your own.  May generosity always mark Alyssa and Kyle's lives.
 

Cleanse Me