Just as you have prayed for me, I humbly ask that you pray for some of my dearest friends. They were there in my time of need and were a constant source of comfort and blessing for me.
My friend, Katy, lost her dad this past week very unexpectantly. Katy is also pregnant and the sress that grief brings will not be healthy for her pregnancy. Please lift her and her family up in your prayers that God will provide them with "the peace that surpasses all understanding"; That He will bless them with comfort and strength as they learn to live life without their father.
My second prayer request is for little Mason, the son of our friends, Kevin and Wendy. Mason was born with hydrocephalus this past June and has had many difficulties since. He is currently in the hospital because he is having gastrointestinal issues. They are exploring the possibility of surgery. Please pray for his parents that they will have the strength to cope with whatever this may entail. Especially pray for little Mason, that his problem can be resolved so that his life can be as normal as possible.
Thank you for taking the time to pray for them!
In His Love.....
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Desert of Preparation
Happy belated New Year! I know, I'm just a bit late, but better late than never, right? While I was thankful to see 2009 finally end, I also felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend that I'll never see again. It was a year full of heartbreak for my family, but it was also bittersweet. It was the year our son was born and for that reason, we will remember it the most.
I didn't really make any New Year's resolution for 2010, except for one- HOPE. My resolution is to not give up HOPE. To some, it may seem like a simple commitment, but to me, it has been a personal struggle since losing Landon and especially after our miscarriage. Just when I think I'm getting to a breaking point in my grief, it comes rushing back in Tsunami-size waves. I've had some personal struggles lately about life in general and God's plan for my life. I know it's satan trying his hardest to knock me down and I fill like I have to suit up for battle on a daily basis. "Lord, give me strength" has become part of my daily prayer.
I recently started the new Beth Moore bible study "Breaking Free", and it could not have started at a better time. I'm sure you'll be reading about it quite often in my future posts, so heads-up. I love Beth Moore!
The opening verse on the first night came from Isaiah 61:1-3.
"....He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,....to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."
Wow, such an amazing promise from our heavenly father!
The first week's study was a reminder that even when we are being faithful to God and centered in His will, satan can still attack us. Sometimes he attacks the weak believers because they are easy prey. Other times he attacks the fully-surrendered servants of God just for the challenge of it. I'm sure he takes great delight in watching the infectious result of a strong believer's "fall from grace". Every time I think of that, I recommit to not giving up. I can't let satan win.
Have you ever noticed that almost every time an important figure in the Bible was about to do something great, God would send him into the desert? Moses, Abraham, John the Baptist, Jesus...It was in the desert that God prepared each person for the great task they would soon take on. I may not be a world-changing history maker, but I feel like I've been wandering in the desert for the last 8 months. So, I keep waiting and thinking "What great task is God preparing me for?" Will I be ready? Until He reveals His plan for me...I wait and I HOPE.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior" Habakkuk 3:17-19
I didn't really make any New Year's resolution for 2010, except for one- HOPE. My resolution is to not give up HOPE. To some, it may seem like a simple commitment, but to me, it has been a personal struggle since losing Landon and especially after our miscarriage. Just when I think I'm getting to a breaking point in my grief, it comes rushing back in Tsunami-size waves. I've had some personal struggles lately about life in general and God's plan for my life. I know it's satan trying his hardest to knock me down and I fill like I have to suit up for battle on a daily basis. "Lord, give me strength" has become part of my daily prayer.
I recently started the new Beth Moore bible study "Breaking Free", and it could not have started at a better time. I'm sure you'll be reading about it quite often in my future posts, so heads-up. I love Beth Moore!
The opening verse on the first night came from Isaiah 61:1-3.
"....He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,....to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."
Wow, such an amazing promise from our heavenly father!
The first week's study was a reminder that even when we are being faithful to God and centered in His will, satan can still attack us. Sometimes he attacks the weak believers because they are easy prey. Other times he attacks the fully-surrendered servants of God just for the challenge of it. I'm sure he takes great delight in watching the infectious result of a strong believer's "fall from grace". Every time I think of that, I recommit to not giving up. I can't let satan win.
Have you ever noticed that almost every time an important figure in the Bible was about to do something great, God would send him into the desert? Moses, Abraham, John the Baptist, Jesus...It was in the desert that God prepared each person for the great task they would soon take on. I may not be a world-changing history maker, but I feel like I've been wandering in the desert for the last 8 months. So, I keep waiting and thinking "What great task is God preparing me for?" Will I be ready? Until He reveals His plan for me...I wait and I HOPE.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior" Habakkuk 3:17-19
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