Thankful Thursday

Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
    His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods,
    His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
    His love never quits.

Thank the miracle-working God,
    His love never quits.
The God whose skill formed the cosmos,
   His love never quits.
The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations,
    His love never quits.
The God who filled the skies with light,
    His love never quits.
The sun to watch over the day,
    His love never quits.
Moon and stars as guardians of the night,
    His love never quits.
The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
    His love never quits.
And rescued Israel from Egypt’s oppression,
    His love never quits.
Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand,
   His love never quits..
Split the Red Sea right in half,
   His love never quits.
Led Israel right through the middle,
    His love never quits.
Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea,
   His love never quits.
The God who marched his people through the desert,
    His love never quits.
Smashed huge kingdoms right and left,
    His love never quits.
Struck down the famous kings,
    His love never quits.
Struck Sihon the Amorite king,
    His love never quits.
Struck Og the Bashanite king,
    His love never quits.
Then distributed their land as booty,
    His love never quits.
Handed the land over to Israel.
    His love never quits.

God remembered us when we were down,
    His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot,
    His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need.
    His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all!
    His love never quits.

(Psalm 136 The Message)

Your love never quits, precious Savior.  Thank you for the many ways I see your loving hand at work in my little family.  Thank you for my beautiful daughter, Lyssa, and my handsome son, Kyle.  Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My heart is full of gratitude and awe knowing that you will love them always.  You will never quit loving them, no matter how far from you they may become.  I pray, Lord, that Alyssa and Kyle will always be near you and know the depths of your love for them.  You will be the One who will never quit on them.  Amen!
 

Wordless Wednesday

 Photo Credit

 

Thankful Thursday

"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."  Hebrews 1:3

I'm so thankful that God sustains all things.  What promise and hope for parenting, busy lives, and unknown futures.   It reminds me of the song "Because He Lives"...

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

Amen and Amen!!  So thankful!

Here's also a few things I'm grateful for on the home front...

• Kyle's continuing to get great grades even with the busyness of baseball starting.  His lowest grade is an 89% (pre-calculus).  Pretty good, I think!
• Lyssa facetimed me on Sunday.  She's been fighting not feeling well, but continues to press on in her last month of college classes.  I'll post a picture of her latest art project.  Beautiful in my humble opinion.  

• Kyle took me to hit balls at our local golf course.  He was a great (but unsuccessful) teacher at showing me how to use a golf club appropriately.  His lack of success had nothing to do with his teaching skills, but everything to do with my lack of skill.  I enjoyed our time together the most.

• Ken had the opportunity to make some extra money on Monday.  Every little extra "dough" we make is a blessing in paying for our children's upcoming summer adventures (wedding and baseball camps aren't cheap!).  God is so good!  And I'm thankful for a man who works hard and sacrificially!
• I'm heading to Women's Retreat today.  It's been a few months of planning and work to put it together but I have enjoyed watching God's pre-retreat work and can't wait to see what He'll do this weekend as we gather.
• And oh how I love that spring is here!  My trees are beautiful with pink and white blossoms.  I wish they would just stay that way for more than a week.  I guess that is what causes me to be more in awe today!

 Thank you, Lord, for sustaining all things, especially me!  And in that sustaining, I see blessings and signs that you are present in my life.  Thank you for the ways I see you growing up my babies and sustaining them as well.  I pray that we each always radiate your glory in our comings and goings, and in our thanksgiving and trust!  You are my God and I praise you!

 

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!


 

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!
 

Today

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”
 Lamentations 3:22-24



Another week begins.  I'm trying to not be consumed by my to-do list and schedule, and talking with Lyss last night, I know she is in the same boat as she concludes her semester in college.

Today, I will live in peace. 
Today, God's compassion won't fail.
Today, He is my portion.
Today, I will wait on Him.

Lord, because of your great love we are not consumed, for your compassions never fail.  They are new today, even in the busyness and stress of the season.  Great is your faithfulness, Savior!  I will continue to remind myself that you are my portion and I will wait for you.  May the same be true for Alyssa and Kyle today.  Be their strength as this new day and new week begin.  Be Alyssa and Kyle's portion as they wait on you.

 
 

A New Week Begins

 But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

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. 

For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Isaiah 43:1-3

Lord, be with Alyssa and Kyle today as they begin a new school week.  Be close to them at school as they struggle through hard lessons and are slow to understand.  Help them to ask questions, work through questions, and work hard in doing their work.  Be present with Alyssa and Kyle, Lord, as they face interactions of all kinds.  Be in their words, thoughts, and actions.  Bring people into their worlds who give encouragement, hope, and wisdom.  Whatever your plan is for Alyssa and Kyle this week, we trust you and look for your abiding presence.  

 

Call to Him

“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, 

made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: 

(Photo Credit)

‘Call to me and I will answer you.

 (Photo Credit)

 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!

 

Salvation Saturday

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth."  Isaiah 40:28 HCSB

"Then everyone who calls on the 

name of Yahweh will be saved."  Joel 2:32 HCSB

Lord, I know that Alyssa and Kyle have heard that you are the everlasting God.  They know the stories and they have been taught your lessons, but I pray that they call you Savior and Lord!  May they know you intimately as Friend, Comforter, Father, and Refuge, never fearing to call on your name.  Lord, Alyssa and Kyle are yours forever, I pray!

 

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. 

 

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.
 

Thankful Thursday!

 Lyssa this week enjoying her freedom.

Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
    His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods,
    His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
    His love never quits.

Thank the miracle-working God,
    His love never quits.
The God whose skill formed the cosmos,
   His love never quits.
The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations,
    His love never quits.
The God who filled the skies with light,
    His love never quits.
The sun to watch over the day,
    His love never quits.
Moon and stars as guardians of the night,
    His love never quits.
The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
    His love never quits.
And rescued Israel from Egypt’s oppression,
    His love never quits.
Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand,
   His love never quits..
Split the Red Sea right in half,
   His love never quits.
Led Israel right through the middle,
    His love never quits.
Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea,
   His love never quits.
The God who marched his people through the desert,
    His love never quits.
Smashed huge kingdoms right and left,
    His love never quits.
Struck down the famous kings,
    His love never quits.
Struck Sihon the Amorite king,
    His love never quits.
Struck Og the Bashanite king,
    His love never quits.
Then distributed their land as booty,
    His love never quits.
Handed the land over to Israel.
    His love never quits.

God remembered us when we were down,
    His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot,
    His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need.
    His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all!
    His love never quits.

(Psalm 136 The Message)

Kyle attended a church leadership camp this last weekend.

Your love never quits, precious Savior.  Thank you for the many ways I see your loving hand at work in my little family.  Thank you for my beautiful daughter, Lyssa, and my handsome son, Kyle.  Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My heart is full of gratitude and awe knowing that you will love them always.  You will never quit loving them, no matter how far from you they may become.  I pray, Lord, that Alyssa and Kyle will always be near you and know the depths of your love for them.  You will be the One who will never quit on them.  Amen!

 

The God Who Can Do Anything

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us."  Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

My sweet family. (1998)

To know the God who can do anything is the one thing I long most for my children.
The One who can move mountains,
Heal the lame,
Free the captives,
Break down walls,
and
Forgive the sinners.

And to sense His Spirit gently working within them, is my prayer. Not the pushy, judgmental and angry God some think they know.
To know the depth of His love,
Feel His gentleness,
and
Believe in the hope He alone offers.

To know the God who can do anything
And to sense His Spirit gently working within.


Lord, oh the joy to know "the God who can do anything".  You offer hope to the lost, healing to the sick, forgiveness to the sinner, and love to the unlovely.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know and believe in you as their own personal Savior and God.  And may they sense your Spirit gently working within them.  Your presence in their life is a gift to behold and hang onto.  I pray that they know you in personal, life-giving, hope-filling way, and love you with all their heart, mind and soul.  You are God, King of King and Lord of Lords, and you are our Savior and Friend!  May Alyssa and Kyle know that full well.
 

Wordless Wednesday

photo credit: www.wallpaperhi.com

Mama-Bear Moment

"The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him."  Exodus 15:2

I found myself wanting to be Kyle's defender this week.

Oh the mama bear in me never goes away.

Kyle playing short-stop Monday night (2013)

Go back to Monday night's baseball game.  Kyle made a pretty cool play (more like AWESOME in this mother's opinion), throwing a ball to home to get an out.   The problem was the the coach kept yelling at him to make the play at first.  Sure it was the safer play, but Kyle was pretty sure he could get the out at home.  And they did!

So, when Kyle came off the field and the coach was having "words" with him, his mom began wanting to have words with the coach.  Watch out for that mama bear!  I'm sure Kyle would have appreciated his mom coming to his defense. Not.

Well I like thinking about God as my kid's Defender.  He's probably got that same "mama bear" tendencies when it comes to His children, and I'm guessing does a better job at it!  When the Enemy wants to try to have his way with Alyssa and Kyle's hearts, God will stand in their defense.  Or when temptation seizes them, He will be their strength and courage.  Even as they are treated unfairly in life, I know that God will come to their rescue.  He is their ultimate Defender in everything!

Today, I'm praying that Alyssa and Kyle know God as their strength and defender in personal ways, and live in the refuge of His salvation.

And I'm praying for Kyle's coach too (HA!...just teasing!  He ended up seeing the play from Kyle's perspective and told him "good job"!  Kyle didn't need me after all.)

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know you as their salvation, their strength, and their defender.  I pray that they fix their eyes on you, as the author and perfecter of their faith, and look to you for all they need.  May their voice declare, "He is my God, and I will praise him!"  

 

Salvation Saturday

"Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade."  Romans 3:28 (The Message)

Getting "in step" with God is much like the sports of rowing and diving.  It takes:

Focus.

Precision.

Unity.

Each movement in sync

with their partner.

I want to be that way with my Savior.  In step with His pace and plan.  

And I pray that for Alyssa and Kyle too!  As they go about their days, and make plans for their future, may they always fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of their faith!

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle get in step with you and let you set the pace for where they go and what they do, and not proudly or anxiously try to run the parade themselves.  May they choose to live in sync with you.  To do that Alyssa and Kyle will have to spend time with you often, listen intently, and live lives of obedience.  Following you will bring great success, a growing courage, and strength to handle all things.  Thank you, Lord, for being our greatest partner in life!

 

Grasping How Deep

Oh Lord, I pray that out of your glorious riches you may strengthen Alyssa & Kyle with power through your Spirit in their inner being, so that you may dwell in their hearts through faith. And I pray that Alyssa & Kyle, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is your love, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that Alyssa & Kyle may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of you.

Lord, you are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within Alyssa & Kyle, to you be glory in the church and throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

--Ephesians 3:16-21

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Stepping Up to the Plate

Thanks to my dear hubby who wrote today's blog/prayer!  You're the best, sweetheart!

Kyle batting! (April 2013)

 

Yesterday morning I (Ken) volunteered to help with our monthly “sermon in a sack."  This is a children’s object lesson during the morning worship service.  The twist is…the speaker does not know in advance what the object is.   Fortunately, I had a quick idea once the object was taken out of the sack – a softball.  I encouraged our kids to know that just because we may have struck out last time at the plate, we can still come up to bat with a fresh new start and opportunity.  God’s grace is always available to give us a new at bat as we are willing to ask Him for fresh wind and fire.

Heavenly Father, I pray that you will help Lyssa and Kyle today to never grow tired of doing good.  When they are faced with discouraging circumstances, I ask you would give them a fresh perspective, new strength and a faith to move forward with courage and grace.  I pray today you will help Lyssa and Kyle to wait upon the Lord.  Please help them today to run and not grow weary and to walk and not be faint.  Let them find their strength in You.

 

Hide and Seek

"After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive."  Acts 1:3

 Alyssa & Kyle (1997)

I love the Scripture above..."He showed himself to these men."  God doesn't want to play "Hide and Seek".  He just wants His children to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that He is alive and present in their lives.

I always laughed when the kids and I played "Hide and Seek" when they were little.  Because though they were "hiding", I could hear little giggles or their continual movement as they got comfortable.  Their excitement grew as I got closer and closer to their hiding spot.  Finding them wasn't too hard.

I think God's like that.  He's the Living God, and he is active in our lives, and He wants us to know it. He wants us to find Him!

I pray that my kids can sense His presence with them every day, and recognize the "convincing proofs" that He is God.

Lord, show yourself to Alyssa and Kyle and help them to see many convincing proofs that You are truly alive!  Open their eyes so that they may recognize you, and know that you are God.