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 their parent's relationship with God, and they hear what we have to say about it.  Daily we are 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!
 

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 that Scripture..."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.  Unfortunately, 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.
 

Wordless Wednesday

 Photo Credit

 

Thankful Thursday

"I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth."  3 John 1:4 HCSB

I have to admit I struggled with doubts and fears this week about my kid's faith.  Both Alyssa and Kyle have been raised in the church. and have probably had more church related experiences than most kids, but they are coming to the age where they are beginning to make their own choices about their church commitments.  And sometimes, leaving it up to them, makes me a nervous mom.  I know it's the way it should be, but darn it, can't I just tell them what to do?! 

Even though, neither child did what I hoped they would in regard to Sunday opportunities, I saw other signs that they are choosing to make their faith their own.  For that, I am thankful and I will hold on to the hope I have that God is working on them!  I'm thankful for His promises!

"Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:8, 9 HCSB

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23 NIV

A different kind of "Thankful Thursday", but there you have it. (Sickness has been running rampant in our house, and laying around and doing nothing for a week doesn't give way to huge list of things to be thankful for...for now, I'll be thankful that we are finally on the mend!)

Lord, thank you for the ways I see you working in Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  Thank you for the ways you're calling their names and drawing them to yourself.  I can trust you with my hopes and fears, and with my children's hearts and souls.  You are my anchor and I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know that truth as well!

 And one more funny Mac picture...

He loves television.

 

God of Wonders

God of Wonders
Written by Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong

"God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
Father holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy..."


God of wonders, in this amazing season where we celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, may Alyssa and Kyle seek you and find you.  Oh how I pray that you reveal your heart to our children.  May they know the height and depth and width of your love them.  Open their eyes that they may see you in new ways this Christmas season.  You are holy, you are good, you are God!



 

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.


 

God's Still Working!

"But Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.”"  John 5:17 HCSB

Alyssa and Kyle (1997)

I love the thought that God is still working in my kids lives.  I'm holding onto that truth today, especially in regards to their walks with Him.  I pray that they KNOW God, follow Him where He leads, and lives their lives in unison with Spirit.  That's my greatest hope!

Lord, I love knowing that you are still working in Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  As you call them each by name, I pray that they each respond wholeheartedly and with no reserve.  May they give their hearts, minds and souls to you, loving you day by day and moment by moment.  Alyssa and Kyle are yours, I know that full well!
 
 

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

(Photo Credit)

 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.  

 

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.
 
 

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!

 

Salvation Saturday

“I will seek the lost,  
bring back the strays, 
bandage the injured, 
and strengthen the weak
but I will destroy the fat and the strong. 
I will shepherd them with justice." 
Ezekiel 34:16 HCSB



Lord, when Alyssa and Kyle are lost, seek after them.
Chase after them.
Don't let them out of your sight.
Woo them.
Draw them near to you.
May the lost be found!

When Alyssa and Kyle walk their own way, 
or go down paths that don't lead to you,
keep them from straying 
and bring them back to the place they belong.





Be the Healer of Alyssa and Kyle's wounds.
Bandage up their injuries,
and mend their hearts. 
Make Alyssa and Kyle's hearts your own.
Clean them,
Make them new,
and mark them with your Name.

And when Alyssa and Kyle are weak, 
be their strength.
Help them to stand firm,
and be strong and courageous,
because with you, all things are possible.





Amen, Amen, and Amen

 

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!

 

Seek Him and Live!

"For the Lord says to the house of Israel: Seek Me and live! Do not seek Bethel or go to Gilgal or journey to Beer-sheba, for Gilgal will certainly go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing. Seek Yahweh and live, or He will spread like fire throughout the house of Joseph; it will consume everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it."  Amos 5:4-6 HCSB

 Alyssa and Kyle (2010)

I love the call to "Seek Me and live!"  I want to shout it out to my kids, "Seek Him and live!"  I want to them to hear His voice call louder than mine though.  My prayer is that their ears are ultra sensitive to His promptings.

Cause sometimes my kids seem to be hard of hearing, you know?  Directions fly in one ear and out the other, requests misunderstood, and stories needing retold.  If they are going to hear God speaking, they better turn their ears on.

And God has the best kind of news to hear.  As Alyssa and Kyle choose to seek God they will truly begin to live! Fully live in you!

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always choose to seek you and live.  There are so many things that they could seek and follow.  Bind the enemy from leading them down the wrong path, and tempting them with idols and desires that will lead them into exile and give them nothing.  If Alyssa and Kyle seek you, your Word promises that they will find you, and they will live a full and abundant life.  This is my greatest prayer. 

 

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)

 

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)

 

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.
 

The Enemy of Salvation

“Self-sufficiency is the enemy of salvation. If you are self-sufficient, you have no need of God. If you have no need of God, you do not seek Him. If you do not seek Him, you will not find Him.”

--William Nicholson, Shadowlands

Alyssa's favorite line as a little girl was "I do it!"  Sometimes it drove me bats, especially if I was in a hurry or if she wasn't doing it the way I thought it should be done. And now that my kids are teenagers, they are even more into the self sufficient stage.  They know it all, don't you know?

Strength, courage, and wisdom are important qualities to posses, for sure, but these things can also keep a person from recognizing their need for a Savior. I delight in the ways Alyssa and Kyle are strong and capable, and I love watching them succeed and shine, and yet I still know they have weaknesses and needs that can only be met by meeting Jesus face to face.

"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul."  Deuteronomy 4:29

Today I am praying that Alyssa and Kyle know their need...
and seek God.

Lord, what a beautiful promise to hold onto!  Knowing that if your children seek you, they will find you!  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know their need for you, and seek you!  May their heart feel lost and lonely without you, and when they seek you they find complete joy, eternal hope, and every need fulfilled when they accept you as their Savior. For they are truly lost without you, Jesus!  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know your complete love and find you are all that they need.  Sweet salvation comes only from you!


 

The Road that Leads to Life

 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.  Jeremiah 6:16

 (photo by Alyssa, 2013)

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.  Isaiah 42:16

  (photo by Alyssa, 2013)
 
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Psalm 25:4
 

  (photo by Alyssa, 2013)

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11

Oh Lord, make known to Alyssa and Kyle the path of life, so that they will be filled with joy in your presence.  Lead them, guide them, and pursue them to follow your path so that they will experience your life everlasting and rest for their souls.  You are the way, the truth, and the life and they will only come to know the Father through you, Jesus Christ.  May Alyssa and Kyle know you intimately, trust you fully, and call on your name day by day.  I pray that they love you deeply, precious Savior.  This is my prayer today.

 

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.
 

Home Sweet Home

"There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home... Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me."  John 14:2, 6 (The Message)

Lssa is in the house!  She's home!  I'm one happy mom with both my babies under one roof.

But this is what my girl put on Facebook yesterday...

  

Saying goodbye to my home.--at George Fox University

Wait, I thought home was here in Idaho...
             in the house in which she has lived for the last 12 year...
                          with me!

 So, I left a comment on Facebook that said "I thought you were coming home, not leaving it."

And she replied, "I have two homes, silly mommy."

I guess I'm satisfied with that answer.  It means college was a good experience.

Today, since I've dedicated to praying for my kid's salvation each Saturday, it dawned on me that really Lyssa potentially has three homes.  And her third home will outshine all the rest in the long run!  Heaven will truly be her "home sweet home"!


Her ticket Home will only come from knowing her Father!
(Kinda like Lyss getting a ride to Idaho from her Dad...ha!)

Know Him, love Him and believe in Him, girl!

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle know you as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and call on your name so that they will be saved and find a home with you for eternity. May they know the thrill of being your children and living with you forever.  Draw Alyssa and Kyle to yourself, dear Jesus!  May they find their true home with you!