Long Time No See

It's been over two years since I posted anything on this blog.  I wasn't tired of praying for my kids, I was just burnt out on posting something on a daily basis.  I wish I had kept it up and hadn't dropped the ball.  I wish I had a record of God's faithfulness, and of life's big events, in the Redford household.  There has been so much:

• Our family marked 20 years being the pastors at our church. (July 2014)
• Lyssa got married. (August 2014)
• Ken and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. (August 2014)
• Kyle graduated from high school.  (June 2015) 
• Kyle received a scholarship to play baseball for Northwest Nazarene University, and finished his freshman year there, working on an engineering major.
• Lyssa, and her husband Jered, both graduated from George Fox University. (May 2016)
• And some hard milestones too: My mom was diagnosed with cancer shortly before Lyssa's wedding and Ken's brother passed away unexpectedly.

This last week, we took Kyle back to school and he has hit the ground running, facing his sophomore year of school head-on.  I'm not sure if it's because of the transition this last week, or because I'm stuck at home and can't drive (that's a whole other story) and have lots of time on my hands, or if it's God's prompting, but several times over the last week I have felt the urge to jump back on here and write a post praying for my kids. I don't know how often, I'll come back to post here, but I will always be praying for my kids even though they are all considered adults now! My heart will always long for God's best in their lives, and for their hearts to be fully devoted to Him.

So as I sat having my morning coffee and quiet time, God gave me a promise in His Word, that I'm going to hold onto for my sweet babies (cause they will always be my "babies"!).

For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
    and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
    like poplar trees by flowing streams. 
Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’;
    others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’    and will take the name Israel. (Isaiah 44:3-5)

My greatest desire is that my children will say, "I belong to the Lord"! Or declare that they are "The Lord's!"

Oh, dear Jesus, may it be so! 


 

Praying Scripture

"In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I pray that Alyssa and Kyle put their trust you.

I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. I pray that Alyssa and Kyle not be put to shame.  Please protect them and not let their enemies triumph over them. 

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.  Grow Alyssa and Kyle's hope in you, and keep them from shame. 

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Show Alyssa and Kyle your ways and teach them your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Guide Alyssa and Kyle in your truth, for you are God their Savior.  may their hope be in you all day long. 

Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.  Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love for Alyssa and Kyle.

Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.  I pray you forget the sins of Alyssa and Kyle's youth, and their rebellious ways; according to your love, remember them, for you, Lord, are good!

Psalm 25:1-7 NIV


 

Wordless Wednesday

 

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

 

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. 

Praying Scripture

Lord,

 With your very own hands you formed Alyssa and Kyle;
    now breathe your wisdom over them so they can understand you.
When others see them waiting, expecting your Word,
    those who fear you will take heart and be glad.
I pray that Alyssa and Kyle can see, God,
 that your decisions are right;
    and your testing can teach them what’s true and right.
Oh, love Alyssa and Kyle—and right now!—hold them tight!
    just the way you promised.
Now comfort Alyssa and Kyle so they can live, really live;
   and may your revelation be the tune they dance to.
Let any fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds;
    whey they try to sell Alyssa and Kyle a bill of goods,
    I pray that they keep their minds fixed on your counsel.
Let others who fear you, Lord, turn to Alyssa and Kyle
    for evidence of your wise guidance.
And let Alyssa and Kyle live whole and holy, soul and body,
    so they can always walk with their head held high.

Amen

 

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!

 

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 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Praying Scripture

Lord, I pray your Word today for Alyssa and Kyle knowing that its your heart for them as well!

Alyssa and Kyle (2013)

 Oh how I want Alyssa and Kyle woven into a tapestry of love, 
and in touch with everything there is to know of God. 
Then Alyssa and Kyle will have minds confident and at rest, 
focused on you Christ, God’s great mystery. 
All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge 
are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. 
And I pray that Alyssa and Kyle will be shown the mystery!
I’m praying for this because I don’t want anyone 
leading Alyssa and Kyle off on some wild-goose chase,
 after other so-called mysteries, or “the Secret.”

Alyssa and Kyle have received Christ Jesus, the Master;
so now I pray that they live you , 
becoming deeply rooted in you 
and well constructed upon your truth.  
Teach Alyssa and Kyle around the faith. 
so that they can do what they’ve been taught. 
School’s out; knowing the subject they've been taught,
I pray that they and start living it!  
And may Alyssa and Kyle's living spill over into thanksgiving.

Amen!

(Colossians 2:2-4, 6-7, The Message) 

 

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)

 

Listen to Him, Dear Ones!

Dear Alyssa and Kyle,

My child, listen to me and do as I say,
    and you will have a long, good life.
I will teach you wisdom’s ways
    and lead you in straight paths.
When you walk, you won’t be held back;
when you run, you won’t stumble. 
Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
    Guard them, for they are the key to life.

Don’t do as the wicked do,
    and don’t follow the path of evildoers.

Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.
    Turn away and keep moving.

For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day.
    They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.

They eat the food of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence!

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
    which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
    They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

My child, pay attention to what I say.

     Listen carefully to my words. 

Don’t lose sight of them.
    Let them penetrate deep into your heart,

for they bring life to those who find them,
    and healing to their whole body.

Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

Avoid all perverse talk;
    stay away from corrupt speech.

Look straight ahead,
    and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Mark out a straight path for your feet;
    stay on the safe path.

Don’t get sidetracked;
    keep your feet from following evil.

Love, God 

(Proverbs 4:10-27)

 

Love Deeply

"Love one another deeply, from the heart."  1 Peter 1:22
 

Cousins (Christmas 2012)

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to love one another, for love comes from you. Everyone who loves has been born of you and knows you.  But Lord, whoever does not love does not know you, because you are love. This is how you, dear Jesus, showed your love among us: You sent your one and only Son into the world that we might live through you. This is love: not that we loved you, but that you loved us and sent your Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I pray that, since you so loved Alyssa and Kyle, they also will love one another. No one has ever seen you; but if they love one another, you live in them and your love is made complete in them.  (1 John 4:7-12)

 

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! 

 

Praying Scripture

Lord, how sweet to know that Alyssa and Kyle 
   are are always with you,
 and you hold them by your right hand. 

 

You guide Alyssa and Kyle with your counsel,

   and you will take them into glory.

Whom does Alyssa and Kyle  

have in heaven but you, Lord?

   And earth has nothing they desire besides you.

Lord, Alyssa and Kyle's flesh and heart may fail,

   but You are the strength of their hearts

   and their portion forever. 

 Those who are far from you will perish;

   you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

But as for Alyssa and Kyle, 

it is good for them to be near You. 

   Please help Alyssa and Kyle to make you, 

Sovereign LORD, their refuge;

   and they will tell of all your deeds. 

 (Psalm 73:23-28)

 

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

 

Praying Scripture!

Lord, you are Alyssa and Kyle's God, their Lord alone.  I pray that they love you with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength.  Help Alyssa and Kyle commit themselves wholeheartedly to the commands that you have given.  Bring them to their mind throughout the day.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to talk about your Word when they are at home and when they are on the road, and think about them when they are going to bed and when they are getting up.  Lord, I pray, that you give Alyssa and Kyle reminders of your precious Word through this day.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9


 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Praying Scripture

Brother and Sister (1999)

Lord, I won't  stop praying for Alyssa and Kyle, asking you to give them wise minds and spirits attuned to your will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which you work. 

 (2006)

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle will live well for you, the Master, making you proud of them as they work hard in your orchard. As Alyssa and Kyle learn more and more how you work, I pray that they will learn how to do the work you have for them. 

 (2010)

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle will have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength you, Lord, give. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking you who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that you have for us.

 (2012)

 (Colossians 1:9-12) 

 

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!