A turn in the tide?

Hubby and I have really been thinking and praying about the upcoming elections lately, our sermon this past Sunday even mentioned them as well and what may end up happening. So I should warn you that I may offend you in this post.

This election regardless of which side of the fence you stand on could seriously change the direction America could go. Everything we have stood and fought for regarding our ethics and morals could be wiped away in 24 hours. Will America quit supporting Jerusalem? Will we no longer be blessed as the nation who has helped protect Jerusalem? Will our right to homeschool taken away nationwide?

I have heard several people say "it is scary to think of what will happen should ____ win." Yes, it will be "scary" but our home sees it thru a different light. The Lord has told us already what will happen in the end times and we know that we will not be around to witness the true "scariness" of it all. I know that the Lord will return one day and when he does he will take us home and we will be secure with him.

Should you vote? ABSOLUTELY! Should you pray? ABSOLUTELY! If you know Jesus as your personal Lord and savior though, you need to trust in him that he will protect you!

Searching For Happiness and coming up empty

Yesterday Heath Ledger died at 28. To be honest I can't say I actually know who he is, I haven't seen Brokeback Mountain nor have I seen any of the other movies that he has been in. What I can tell you though is this, that whether is death was an accidental overdose or a suicide far too many actors and actresses while they may seem to have it "all" feel empty on the inside. They are empty because they do not know the love of Christ, they do not know that worldly things aren't important, instead they keep chasing after things that they think will make them happy. One more movie, one more million or one more mansion, yet they keep coming up short on their happiness pendulum.

So if we as a society know that they don't have it all why is that we buy magazines to fill us in on every detail of their lives? Why do watch the news constantly to see what the latest happenings in their custody battles? Why do we find ourselves in conversation with friends talking about THEIR lives instead of our own?

What can I do to make a difference? What can you do? We can pray. Seriously, some of you may scoff at the notion, but God can do miraculous things. We can pray that these people quit searching for tangible happiness and pray that they learn true happiness. We can pray that God put Godly people in their lives, we can pray that they see things that will make them believe, we can pray.

I know one model personally who every time I walk into a major department store I see her face, and every time I see her face I pray for her and her son. I have to be honest I pray for her because I know her personally but I do not pray for the other zillion actor/actresses/models that are out there, but I plan too.

I want to do my part to give them privacy and I want to do my part in winning their souls do the Lord. What will you do?

The Lord's Prayer

Every night no we say the Lord's Prayer together as a family, and Miss Claire has her own version,

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hello be thy name.......

Tonight as she prayed I thought maybe she is on to something. His name isn't hello, but we can always talk to him as though he is a dear friend, and when times are really tough and we only have the strength to say "Hello God," he still hears us.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit has me apologize when I don't want to

The Holy Spirit has me be quiet when I don't want to

The Holy Spirit has me pray for someone I don't want to

The Holy Spirit has me forgive when I don't want to

The Holy Spirit has me talk to someone I don't want to

The Holy Spirit has me do things I don't want to

The Holy Spirit has me submit when I don't want to

The Holy Spirit moves me when I shouldn't be moved

The Holy Spirit forgives me when I am unforgiveable

The Holy Spirit listens

The Holy Spirit talks to me

The Holy Spirit guides me

The Holy Spirit grants me grace

The Holy Spirit has given me eternal life


Isn't our Heavenly Father great?!?!

Honor Your Parents

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Ephesians 6:1-2

Why?

1) Because there are no perfect parents
2) Because respect for authority begins at home....they will learn respect one way or another, but it is better to teach them at home than them learning this later in life
3) Because the parent/child relationship will impact every other relationship they will ever have

How?

1) As a child I honor by OBEYING and RESPECTING

"A son who mistreats his father or mother is a public disgrace." Proverbs 19:26

2) As a young adult I honor by ACCEPTING and APPRECIATING

"Listen to your father who gave you your life and do not despise your mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22

3) As an adult I honor by AFFIRMING and NOT ABANDONING

"Anyone who won't care for his own relatives when they need help, especially his own family, has no right to say he is a Christian. Such a person is worse than heathen." 1 Timothy 5:8


We are the only country in the world where we stick our own parents with others to take care of. It is our responsibility to take care of our parents, not someone else. There was a time when they cleaned us, they bathed us, they fed us, and they cleaned up our messes with out fussing...the circle of life comes around and when it is our turn we need to be there to show them the love that they once showed us. Our parents will not always be there, there will be a time when EVERYONE will say " I wish my mom/dad were here to see/hear this." Will it be too late for you to make ammends then? Trust me it is hard I KNOW, but remember God will reward you for honoring your parents, and it is what he calls us to do.

Can you ever please certain people? And an update on our friends family

First an update on our friends family: Please continue to pray for them. While her mom has been in the hospital recovering from her surgery her father was taking into the hospital for what they belived was "cardiac activity", turns out it is all stress related. The entire family is taking a hard toll right now on their bodies with lack of sleep and lots of stress. So thank you for your prayers and please continue to lift them up. Her brother and sister are missionaries in China and they are to arrive in Orlando by weeks end, which will help a great deal as well. We will continue to keep you updated.

____________________________________________________________________

Recently my o.h. and I were discussing individuals who seem to look for reasons to not like certain/other people. The person who ignores something/someone important in your life, or who constantly is comparing one to another. It seems everyone we know works with, is related to, or knows someone who fits into this category. The obvious thing is to pray for these people but sometimes the flesh takes over and you grow impatient and weary wondering if something will ever change. Maybe it wont. Can a person deal with that when it is a person that they have to have interaction with, i.e. a co-worker or a family member? We as Christians are called to higher standards than "others," we are called to love, honor and cherish one another and we all fall short, but how do we embrace those that are often hard to love? How do you face this challenge without allowing the flesh to enter in? On the flip side it is hard to pray for yourself when your heart has been hurt repedietly and is very tender, but still we must pray that God softens our hearts as well; which can often be hard. Life is never easy but with Gods help and time I have to remember that HE has a plan for everything.

I am called to Galations 6:8-10 which states: For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will flow from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good to all people. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith.