Wordless Wednesday

 

Rooted in Him

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

 (1998)

My precious babies, receive Christ Jesus as Lord.

Lord, I pray that you are Savior and Lord of Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  Today may they choose to serve you and live totally devoted to you.  Be Lord of their hearts!

Continue to live lives in Him.

Living in you takes choice and obedience, daily deciding to follow you.  I pray that every step Alyssa and Kyle take is deeply bathed in prayer and seeking.  Lord, fill them with your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Be their strength and hope each day.

Develop roots deep in Christ and a foundation that is strong.

Your Word promises that you are always with us, but I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always choose to be WITH you, and come to know you deeply and intimately.  May they come to you daily and spend time getting to know you.  I pray that they things that they've been taught will be an important foundation to their faith.  Roots that are grown deep in you will help Alyssa and Kyle withstand the storms of life and help them to stand strong.  Lord, be their One true foundation.

Overflowing with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is an outpouring of a life lived in you.  I pray that praise and thankfulness are true characteristics of Alyssa and Kyle's hearts and that the overflow will be evident in their words and actions all the time.  Oh how truly blessed they are!  Even if they haven't always been given what they want, or I didn't parent the way I should, they are still rich with love, family, and faith.  I pray that they know that deep down in their hearts.  Today, Jesus, remind Alyssa and Kyle that you lavishly love them and there's no better gift in this life!

Amen.


 

A Love Affair with God's Word

[God’s laws] are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.” Psalm 19:10

God’s Word is one of the most precious things in the world to me. I think I fell in love with it when I was in elementary school or middle school. I remember moving from my childhood Bible, into a more adult-like one, and loving the time it took to re-underline all of my favorite verses. I loved carrying it to church and using it when my Sunday school teacher, youth leader, or the pastor asked me find a particular verse. I loved the things I learned, and how it spoke to me about my life circumstances. I remember even taking my Bible to school, hoping I would have time to read it in my free time, or would have it available to share a verse or two with my friends. Yes, I was a “Bible Thumper”! My love affair with the Bible began long, long ago.

I pray that the Bible becomes one of the most precious things in the world to my kids too. I pray that it changes from just a book that sits on their shelf, or under their dirty laundry, to a “living and active”, life changing gift that they wouldn’t ever want to live without. I pray that God speaks to them through His Word, and they find treasures from Him that is a reminder of His deep and steadfast love.

I will totally love it if one day my kids start carrying their Bible wherever they go, or call me with a verse that spoke to them. I pray for the day that their love affair begins, and God’s Word becomes “more precious than gold” in their lives!

Bible Thumpers unite!

Your Word, O Lord, is better than life, and I love it! My heart’s prayer is that Alyssa and Kyle  fall in love with the treasures written for them in Your Word too. Place Bible teachers in their lives that inspire them to dig deeper, search for answers, and understand your direction and plan for them. Lord, when Alyssa and Kyle make efforts to read your Word, open their eyes so that they will see you, and their minds to understand what they’ve read. I pray that your Word comes alive to them, and they never take for granted what a priceless gift it is! Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your Word and the power it has in my life. May it be so with my kids. Let their love affair begin today. 

Wordless Wednesday

(Photo Credit)

 

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!

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Keep on Growin'!

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."  2 Peter 3:18

Alyssa and her garden (2006)

There's something fun about watching a garden grow.  After all the hard work of prepping the soil, planting the seed, and weeding the unwanted stragglers, you get something of value. It may be something edible, like a fruit or vegetable, or something beautiful like a flower.

I find the same joy when I watch my children grow...physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I love seeing the growth as we have conversations, or in how they deal with the things that come at them in life, and even in their relationship with others.  But growing in their walk with the Lord is the one thing I love to watch unfold most.

I'm praying that Alyssa and Kyle grow STRONG in the Lord, with roots down DEEP, and that they produce spiritual fruit that is BEAUTIFUL and BOUNTIFUL!

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle grow in the grace and knowledge of you, their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May they grow in the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  As they experience you, day by day, I pray that their faith in you grows strong, and their roots go down deep, and that they flourish as they walk with you.  To you be glory both now and forever!  Amen
 

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.

 

The Theme of their Song

"Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life."  Psalm119:54

Oh how I pray that Alyssa and Kyle fall in love with His Word.  I hope that they go to it when they need wisdom, hope, help, comfort, and just want to know more about God.  

As I looked at my Bible, which was given to me on Mother's Day 2008, I was reminded of so many times in my life in which He gave me a word for a situation I was in, and I've written notes here and there so I'd remember and recall those lessons.  Those mark His work and love in my life and I'm so grateful. 

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle's Bible's are more than well worn, but they are well read, marked up, and treasured as the "theme of their song" in life!

"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is 

worth more than a college education."

--Theodore Roosevelt

\Lord, your Word is such a delight and holds so many rich treasures.  It teaches us about you, and helps us grasp the depths of your love for your children.  From the beginning to the end, we watch your plan unfold, and see your hand of love, power, and grace at work over and over again.  Each time I open it's pages I can sense your voice speaking personally to me.  I know, however, that it's a continual process to learn and understand the details we find within the pages of your Word.  I pray that you give my children understanding when they sit down and spend time with you and read your Word.  Open Alyssa and Kyle's eyes that they may see the wonderful things in your law.  Bring them hope, courage, and wisdom as they dig deep, falling in love with you deeper and deeper as they go.  Oh Lord, may Alyssa and Kyle come to believe your Word and hold onto this treasure that helps them know you more.  Speak to them, dear Jesus, calling them to yourself as your precious children each and every time they come to your living and active Word.  What a beautiful gift to your children! 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Living Deeply

"And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we'll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives."  1 John 2:28 (The Message)

Alyssa, Kyle and Papa (1999)

I love how the Message paraphrases the verse above: "Live deeply in Christ."  I just want to ponder that today.

"Live deeply in Christ."

Oh, my deepest hope and prayer for Lyssa and Kyle.

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle come to love you, and live deeply in you. May they not be tempted to just know of you, and live in the knowledge of what they've learned about you since they were little, but choose to strive to KNOW you deeper and better.  Sideline observers get a small taste of you, but those who choose to participate face to face in a relationship with you, experience first-hand the Living Water.  You, Lord, quench every thirst, and satisfy the deepest of hungers.  But living deeply in You is a choice one has to make every day.  Lord, spur our children on to laying down their selfish desires, or worldly yearnings, and to seek first your Kingdom, with their entire heart.  And now, Jesus, help Alyssa and Kyle to stay with you. Move them to live deeply in you. Then they'll be ready when you appear, ready to receive you with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when you arrive.  I pray, Lord, that they love you deeper than I can ever imagine, because you are the One that I love.
 

Open Those Eyes

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."  Psalm 119:18

 

Love those blue eyes (2009)

Lord, your Word is such a delight and holds so many rich treasures.  It teaches us about you, and helps us grasp the depths of your love for your children.  From the beginning to the end, we watch your plan unfold, and see your hand of love, power, and grace at work over and over again.  Each time I open it's pages I can sense your voice speaking personally to me.  I know, however, that it's a continual process to learn and understand the details we find within the pages of your Word.  I pray that you give my children understanding when they sit down and spend time with you and read your Word.  Open Alyssa and Kyle's eyes that they may see the wonderful things in your law.  Bring them hope, courage, and wisdom as they dig deep, falling in love with you deeper and deeper as they go.  Oh Lord, may Alyssa and Kyle come to believe your Word and hold onto this treasure that helps them know you more.  Speak to them, dear Jesus, calling them to yourself as your precious children each and every time they come to your living and active Word.  What a beautiful gift to your children!

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Faith Encouragers

"When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours."  Romans 1:12 (NLT)

Alyssa and her youth leaders at graduation (2012)

Lord, you put other people in our lives in order to bless us, encourage us, and sometimes even teach or stretch our thinking when it comes to our faith.  Faith in you isn't necessarily something we are supposed to do on our own.  We learn so much from the other people in our life.  Thank you for the many people who are like that in my own life.  What joy it is to walk this journey with others.  

Father, I pray that you strategically place friends or adults in Alyssa and Kyle's life that encourage them in their walk with you.  Give them places of safety and refuge with people they can trust, and who speak love and truth into their lives, especially when the daily grind of life is so hard.  Give them mentors and friends who walk with them as aliens and strangers in this world.  

In turn, I pray, dear Jesus, that Alyssa and Kyle BE the encourager in the life of someone else.  Help them to be bold and wise in their conversation with others, leading them closer to you.  Use my children to bless someone else by speaking truth, being kind, and showing love that reflects you.

I pray that there will be others in Alyssa and Kyle's life that encourage them in their faith, and also that they will want to encourage others as well.  Thank you, Jesus, for hearing my prayers! 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Someone Else

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."  2 Timothy 2:2

Believe it or not, my kids don't listen to everything I have to say.  In fact, sometimes I get the rolling of eyes, the big exhale, or a chuckle under their breath.  "Oh, Mom!"  Often someone else can offer the same advise or encouragement and they seem to listen to it better. Go figure.

However, I think that Alyssa and Kyle have a lot to learn and sometimes need encouragement and wisdom from someone with a few more years "under their belt".  Someone they can share their worries and fears with.  Or a person to challenge them in their views and attitudes.

Some days it will be me.

But most days it won't be.

So, today I'm praying that they find a friend, or someone to come alongside them, to influence them in the things of the Lord and bless their lives with encouragement and support.

And for those of you who encourage my kids:
Thank you!

Lord, I love my precious children!  I see you in them in so many ways.  Thank you for the way you're growing them up and drawing them near to yourself.  I pray, Father, that you send someone into Alyssa and Kyle's lives that will encourage them in their faith, challenge them in their world views, and teach them some of the lessons of life that for some reason aren't always heard from me.  May they each find a mature friend to influence their spiritual walk closer to you.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle are blessed with mentors that love them, yet are willing to tell them the truth even when it hurts.  Prepare their hearts for these moments, and teach them to be open to the wisdom and guiding of others.  I entrust Alyssa and Kyle to you, dear Jesus, and pray that they are on a continual journey closer to you!


 

Who Will Tell Them?

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"  Romans 10:14-15 (NLT)

Alyssa and Kyle (Spring Break 2007)

As I think about Alyssa and Kyle, and their walk with the Lord, I am conscious of the fact that they watch me in my relationship with God, and they hear what I have to say about it.  Daily I am an example.  In all reality, however, there is a chance that they will hear about it all better from someone else.  Oh how I hope that there are other people in their lives that are involved in sharing the good news of Christ to them, that exhibit passion and commitment to Him, and help them grow in their faith. 

How will they hear about Him unless someone tells them?


Lord, I pray that there are people that come in contact with Alyssa and Kyle that are not ashamed of the gospel, and will speak boldly on your behalf.  I pray that You may open a door for their message, and that they may proclaim the mystery of Christ. I pray that someone may share the good news clearly to Alyssa and Kyle, and make the most of every opportunity they have to lead them closer to you.  Thank you for the people you put in their lives that know you, love you, and speak of you.  Thank you for the difference you make in their lives, and for the difference you can make in my kids lives.  You are a God of hope, love, and relationship, and I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know the reality of your salvation!

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Camp Effects

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds..." Deuteronomy 11:18

Lyss is off to her last summer camp (at least her last as a camper) this week.  I love those opportunities our kids have to hear God's Word and learn more about what it's like to have a personal, vibrant and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.  I also trust that God's Word is living and active, and whatever is "preached' at camp this week, will make a difference in my Lyssa's life.

It's just one more layer of the foundation God is building in her life!

Alyssa and friends at camp (2008)...

she's the tall one in the back center.

Lord, I am so thankful for your Word and truly believe it is living and active, and will not return void when Alyssa and Kyle hear it.  What an amazing thing to know that it will always speak to their condition, and teach them the truth of who you are .  They can know of your deep love, learn of your grace, gain wisdom for their life's challenges, and find your direction for their future.  I pray that your Word transforms Alyssa and Kyle's hearts and minds each time they come face-to-face with your truth.  Oh Lord, I pray Alyssa and Kyle both fall deeply in love with you and your Word!