"I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove all your impurities."
Isaiah 1:25
My Take Aways
Something Old:
Isaiah 5:12b
"But they never think about what the Lord or notice what He is doing."
So thankful for God's redemptive work in my life. I think about Him and notice what is doing now more than I ever have."
Something New:
In the day of restoration, repair, and rebuilding He provides "shade" and "shelter" with His great love and grace. (Isaiah 4:5-6)
Something to Do:
Celebrate God's work in my life. Cooperate when He needs to melt me down and skim off the impurities and slag in my life, knowing He only wants me to be more like Him.
You might find me today upside down in the Alpengeist.
You might find me today upside down in the Alpengeist.
28 Comments:
Amy, here's the address for today's video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57bTuzFU6gI&feature=player_embedded
My lunch with my Spiritual mom and two other close friends was absolutely wonderful. I think my dad enjoyed himself as well. I know my friends enjoyed having him there. When my Spiritual mom walked in the restraint we gave each other a big hug. We took a lot of pictures. Whenever I hold her hand or when she puts her arm around my shoulders or whenever I'm just next to her I feel so much love. It's that tender/compassionate love of a mother that I didn't feel like I had growing up and still don't from my own mother and other family members. The love I feel from my Spiritual mom is unlike any love I've ever felt here on Earth.
Jennifer Renee,
I am so happy that you had a great time with your Spiritual Mom. That is just a taste of what it will be like when we are with our Heavenly Father. I can't wait!
Missy welcome, Loice thank you for that beautiful prayer and the in depth insight you brought to the readings. It is an honor to add all your children (both of you) to our list of prayer. Jessica, great story... out of the mouthes of babes!
Jen Renee, so happy your time with your Spiritual Mom, friends and father was so full of love and joy! I hope you feel her love and her hugs for many days to come! You mention that you don't see her that often. If you don't mind my asking, did one of you move away or is this a temporary situation? You are in my prayers.
Wendy, I have to agree; today I was dry after the readings... I underlined, but nothing really reached out and grabbed me. I continue to see a lot of our world today described in the writings of the OT. At the end of the reading, I prayed for the whole Western World. We are the Christian nations; the "distant nations far away" that the LORD calls to. We are adopted children of God; brothers and sisters of Christ! And yet, the descriptions like are found in Isaiah 3 and 5 could describe our nations today. I know people just like that:
* Young people will insult their elders, and vulgar people will sneer at the honorable (Is. 3:5b)
* Women who value their beautiful ornaments; headbands (not so much any more), necklaces, earrings, bracelets, veils, scarves, ankle bracelets, sashes, perfumes, charms, rings, jewels, party clothes, gowns... (Isaiah 3:18-23, wow how the list goes on!). I guess not much has changed since then... I can actually be one of these women. I value many of these things and I have to be careful that they don't become idols in my life.
* People who buy up house after house, field after field (Is. 5:8)
* People who get up early looking for alcohol and spend long evenings drinking wine (Is. 5:11)
* People who mock God (Is. 5:19)
* AND People who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever (Is. 5:21)! I can be one of these people too.
People looking to be filled in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways. "Don't put your trust in mere humans, they are as frail as breath. What good are they?"
God expected to harvest a crop of justice from us and instead He finds oppression. He expected to find righteousness, but instead He hears cried of violence.
I need to trample my pride and walk humbly before the Lord. I need to fall on my knees and pray for our nations to turn back; to be holy people and to recognize the sovereignty of our Lord.
Being refined in the refiners fire is no fun! But He promises to be gentle, to not completely crush us. He promises that there will be peace for "those that survive the destruction and are recorded among the living." I rest in His promises and ask for His strength.
Sobering thoughts today....
Karen, Basel
Good morning, GIG's,
I am always running behind but I decided that is ok. Off to run, literally, but wanted to give this verse to those who are now 'caring for' their parent(s) in whatever way. I found reference to this book while waiting in a doctor's office with my Mom and Dad when they first moved to live with us. The book is "When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister" by Mary Pierce. Anyway she wrote, "But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God," (Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5:4) She went on to say, "Taking care of my mother is the right thing to do. It is a joy and a blessing. And it is difficult and exhausting. It is the best of times. It is the worst of times. All at the same time."
I love this time of morning with you all. Would you please add my kids names to the list - David and Lindsay... and my great-niece Abigail.
We hope to drive to Texas in July - San Antonio and Seymour are the two stops - any of you from Texas near our two stops?
Hope this sends. Last time I wasn't successful. Anne in VA
Jennifer, thanks for the link! Going to watch that next ...
Karen, I completely agree with you. The description of the woman reminded me of what I see around me now, and of me in some ways. The several references to alcohol and drunkenness remninded me of all of the partying I saw in college and on the lake when I moved here by grown adults. It's sad.
Today the passage about the last days caught my attention again. I'm not sure why these particular passages are holding my attention so much, but ??? It sounds to me that we know about a few more things that are going to happen:
- Jerusalem will be elevated above the surrounding area
- Jerusalem/the Temple will be visited by people from all over the world
- there will be peace worldwide, with no one even training for war
It also sounds like we're in for earthquakes. If God is going to rise and shake the earth, couldn't that mean earthquakes - maybe really big ones? The USGS predicted last year that a massive, continent or worldwide (I forget which) earthquake will happen in the next 30 years, and some people quoted in the article thought it would be part of the prophecy fulfillment for the end times. It sounds like Grace and Peace in CA has experienced lots of rumblings, anyway!
Have a great day and stay cool!
PS - Jekka, GIG means 'Girlfriends in God.'
Hi Wendy and GIG's...
Thanks Wendy, I love your tender spirit and honesty. What wonderful timing as you are sharing about leaning on God and being filled with Him not other things, that you needed to "Plug In" nice reference to plugging into Him. (smile)
Wish I was on the roller coaster too - I absolutley love them. When we get the chance to go to the amusement parks, I can even tire the teenagers out.
Still struggling with time to post, God is and will help me with it.
Blessings and loves,
Lynn - OR
Morning Everyone,
My thoughts today were along the same lines as yours Karen and our world today. As we are reading these scriptures it describes what we are going through now just like it was back then. The main verse that stood out to me was
Isaiah 5:21, "What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever."
It made me think of Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25, "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end leads to death."
I heard Beth Moore say in one of her teachings that people can be so passionate and dead sure of what they believe, but they can be dead wrong. She gave an example of a basketball player that was Buddist, or one of those religions like that and how he based his life and even games around the rituals of his religion. He was dead sure of what he believed but he was dead wrong.
Praying for all our unsaved loved ones that God will reveal to them truth and that the way they are going now, following their own wisdom, will be replaced by God's truth.
I find my own story so much in what Wendy is sharing this week. So much of what she said today hit home with me and the path I have walked with the Lord. It is true that He has to strip away all the things that we get our worth and value out of to finally see that it is who we are in Him that gives us our worth and value. Outside appearances are deceiving. We can seem like we have it all on the outside but inside we are dying. I was, inside I was being eaten alive by insecurity, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, people pleasing, fear and shame. I also got to that place where nothing filled me except Him and now I look to Him first thing every morning to fill me. That is the only way to live!
You all have a blessed day!
Brandee, TN
Thank you Wendy for today's posting, it truly spoke to me, it was as if you were speaking about me. It put things into perspective that I still look for things of this world to fill me. They may not be immoral or illegal but they are not spiritual nourishment, they material things of this world.
Thank you for sharing with us, it has shined the light once more of how much I still have left to grow in my faith and how much of Him I still long to get to know.
Do you believe in a mother's intuition? Of course, it is not the mother, but it is the voice of God. I thank you all so much for your prayers these past months for our son. God has been at work.
For the last week I have had such an impending heaviness about our son Michael. After making inquiries and trying to make contact without success, we finally found out that an incident at work sent him home, and no one had seen him for a few days. Yesterday it was a search and rescue. I left work as soon as I knew-- we had to find him, and of course the drive to his city was filled with worse-case scenarios (the evil one). I prayed he was being protected from above.
We did find him yesterday afternoon, in his apartment, sleeping off the night before. His apartment door was unlocked (thank you Lord!). Wendy, talk about a place of emptiness. He knew that he had reached the bottom. Finally. He had even told his friends that he was going to move home. (We are so glad we had given him that option weeks ago.) So of course, they had a going away party. The details don't matter, but we started cleaning up the "slag" in his apartment, packed up a load, took care of his important business, and made contact with his work. Last night he was "home," sleeping in a bed with new hope. He had told us he felt "stuck"-- no car, inadequate job, financial obligations that would get worse... Anyway, Wendy, this was his trap. The trap of the world.
We are not experienced in dealing with alcohol/drug issues, so we need to find support and guidance quickly. We'll be going back today to clear out the rest of his things, and get rid of rest of the slag. Please pray for Michael to become "trapped" in God's loving arms. I will need to be cautious about introducing God's presence in his life, like Wendy said yesterday, a little here and a little there. We need to take it a step at a time.
Sorry to take so much time here, but I really appreciate your prayers, dear ones. God is working and I am so thankful. We will have a hard road ahead, but I have to feel that He will support us. I ask for prayers for guidance as my husband and I find the right sources of help.
Thank you all for your support, and Rhonda for your special care -- I feel your loving arm around my shoulder (you have a keen intuition too).
So another trip in now to face the empty remnants of his life. We need to find the right substitutes to fill up his heart so he can heal.
Blessings and gratitude,
Jacque
Jacque,
You have a lot on your plate, too, sister. (((HUGS))) to you. May this be the turning point in Michael's life. May he start heading in the right direction.
Amy,
I woke up at 2:44 this morning because of an earthquake. We've had regular earthquakes since Easter Sunday. God is trying to tell us something!
Hi ya'll. The best part of Wendy's vlog (for me) was when Wendy had to plug in the computer and made the comment about being pluged into the sorce. That is so true. In everything we do. And just like what Wendy said about her life in being empty and filling it with other things, for her it was shopping, getting more and more. With Jacque's son it is a different sorce. But it is all in the same. When we are empty, and the Bible tells us that we have "an empty void that longs for the LORD" we have to find a way to fill it. Jen Renee talked about how much she longed for the the love - voice - touch - and how she could feel that with this woman. As a widow I long for his arms, voice- fixing whatever is broken. The only thing that can fill that void is the "power from above". So God is my husband, mother, father on earth, son, sister and what ever I need. Now Jacque - how you can fill your son's void with the Lord well, that is another problem. But prayer is usually all we have. My prayer for Michael is that God will show him how. But that Michael wanted to go home, shows that he is tired of his trying to fill that longing.
Lord, I pray for Michael and for his parents. We cannot live our children's lives, but we long to keep them from getting hurt. Help Jacque and her husband to give it to You, Lord. Isaiah 1:18-20 "come now, let's settle this says the Lord. "though your sins are like scarlet I will make them as white as snow. though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat, etc." Hosea 14:8. "I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green: all your fruit comes from me" verse 4 "I will heal you of your faithlessness: my love will know no bounds."
"What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting Lord. What a blessedness, what a peace is mine leaning on the everlasting arms. safe and secure from all alarms, leaning on the everlasting arms." you young GIGs - that is an old old old song. But it was the one that came to my mind.
Because of our love for our Savior, we love one another.
Donna TX
Hi Everybody,
Wendy….Dearest Sister, How do I explain what is in my heart. (Emptiness…had to bring me to a place of need….Nothing could satisfy Me…..It was painful & lonely)…..That place too I did hit. Lead me down a road with a eating disorder. Today in that great emptiness….Yes is how he taking this pot of clay (ME) and was molding me. Brought Me to know HIM.
Jacque…special Sister….Yes you and your son Michael are on my mind and in my prayers so much. Keep feeling my arms wrapped around your shoulder…your filling my eyes with (hope) tears. Your son Michael I have great faith….With Him hitting bottom…Know from there all you can do is go up. I went to a Christian eating disorder place….Yes it was very hard. You see all I wanted was a family of my own….this could get so long…but when I arrived they searched through everything of mine. My thoughts at the time “What did I do to deserve this? All I want was a baby to hold, love. I longed for one for 4 long years. We got to make (1 phone call) telling my husband I made it. I remember calling Him crying and telling Him to come and get Me….this isn’t where I belong. I was so angry…filled with emptiness and bitterness. We had to do chapel everyday. One day I couldn’t take it any longer cause they kept saying God was so kind and compassionate. I remember standing up and saying He is NOT!! And than running out. Jacque it was the place I needed to be. When looking for a place for Him…make sure it has Christian values. Jacque, this ((hug)) coming your way embrace it all day long…..and know he is a kind and compassionate God. He loves us sooooooo much.
Missy TX….A big Welcome!!
Anne in VA….Taking care of your Mom and Dad. God Bless You!! thanks for dropping in we all need encouragement on our journeys. Thank You for being a “doer” of His word.
Thanks all it is getting long…You all bless ME!!
Isaiah…..
1:1: The title of the book: an editorial addition. Isaiah: meaning “the salvation of the Lord,” or “The Lord is salvation.” Amoz: not the minor prophet. Judah: the southern kingdom of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Uzziah: also called Azariah: cf 2 Kgs 15:1; 2 Chr 26:1.
Bible verse today:
Isaiah 4:2: On that day, The branch of the LORD* will be luster and glory, and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor for the survivors of Israel.
*footnote 4:2: Branch of the Lord: divine blessings in general, which later culminated in the Messiah; cf Jer 23:5, Zec 3:8; 6:12
Jer 23:5: Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land.
Zec 3:8: Listen, O Joshua, high priest! You and your associates who sit before you are men of good omen*.
*Footnote 3:8 Men of good omen: the restoration of the priesthood is a sign of the coming of the messianic times. My servant the Shoot: identified, in the earliest form of Zec 6, 11 as the prophet composed it, with Zerubbabel, direct descendant of King David and rebuild of the temple; and, as such, a type of the Messiah; cf Jer 23:5
Zec 6:12: And say to him: Thus says the LORD of hosts: Here is a man whose name is Shoot, and where he is he shall sprout, and he shall build the temple of the LORD.
The gardening in me….Wow!! What a indiscernible plant!!
“Shoot”……
noun,
44. a growing or sprouting, as of a plant.
45. a new or young growth that shoots off from some portion of a plant.
46. the amount of such growth.
47. a young branch, stem, twig, or the like.
Sends Me to singing this song: My Jesus ….by: Todd Agnew
Wanna be like my Jesus…Can I ….Will I …be like You?
So Thankful today for….
This “Shoot“….“My Jesus“….“Branch of the Lord,”
Rhonda
Right off the bat today the verse stood out to me. Loud and clear, God spoke to my heart.
I read in the very first line, “once so faithful, has become a prostitute” (1:21). At first my thoughts went along the line about my feelings to God now, and how different they are as opposed to several years ago. I thought to myself how could I ever lose this faith that I’m experiencing right now? How? I thought about the Israelites and how it happened to them, - how the world just snuck in and they did not even know it. How their gods became more important than their Lord, the One True God. Before they knew it, their faith had slipped away and they were no longer following God, but following selfish pleasures. I pondered and thought about this more, and I heard God begin speaking to me… I felt a tug to leave immediately, to go on my walk, as - normally, I’ve been posting first. Well, on my walk He was so faithful to me, to bring me to where He wanted me to be. Ya see for the past couple of weeks, it’s been getting warmer here in AZ. Unless, I begin early, my walks have to be cut short. In a matter of such a short period of time, a period of only a couple of weeks, I was making excuses to shorten my long walks. I got my prayer time in, but it was not the long and lingering prayer time that God desired from me. It was a shorten version, a version that ‘fit’ into my time! Rather, than change my routine, to place my prayer time first, ever so gradually, the enemy was allowing me to do things ‘my way.’ Oh, I rationalized it, thinking I was praying, but in all honestly, I was not giving God my best.
My sweet sisters God is ever so loving, ever so faithful, ever so forgiving. I confessed to Him how I was spending time on the computer rather than the long and lingering time I had been doing previously. I thanked Him for bringing the specific scripture alive to me. For opening it up and making it so personal. I thanked Him that He is keeping me hemmed in, not letting me get loose. I also thanked Him for opening up my eyes. I saw, so clearly, how easy it is to lose our faith. It can happen to anyone. The enemy sneaks in, takes a hold of the situation, and begins to do his work.
His precious Word, keeps us on the straight and narrow path. If I had not been reading His Word, that scripture would not have been made known to me by the Holy Spirit. It always gets back to His Word. Staying in it every single day. Thank you Lord, for the sweet and intimate time we shared this morning. Thank you for Your presence. Thank you that I am one of your peculiar daughter’s. Thank you for exposing the sin on my heart this morning, and for drawing me even closer to You. I do not want anything separating us. You are my everything. Amen.
Adding new children on the list dear sisters – will get a ‘latest’ list out - end of the week. Rhonda, your post gives me hope - God is working in our children! He is busy with Michael. Your family and Michael will be in my prayers. Feel my hugs coming, too. My heart goes out to you, my prayer is also, that you will see glimpses of Him, daily. That He will be with you and your husband every step of the way. That His Spirit will guide you to the people you need, in order to get the best help available. “The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads” (Psa. 145:14). Michael is bent down low, just low enough that God can straighten him back out! May Michael see clearly God’s love coming out of you and your hubby as your family extends loving compassion to him. I love you Rhonda! Outta space ya’ll, Love u, Lori
Good Morning everyone!
I don’t post often, but I’ve been here since the beginning of the year. Just wanted to get on here for two reasons: 1) to add my son Nick to the list of children…he’s 21 and off at school…financial struggles…too numerous to mention all…but I’m a single mom so it’s hard, and 2) I don’t know if any of you are familiar with Dr. Michael Youssef, but he is asking committed Bible-believing Americans to join him in praying for the future of America between July 4 and November 2. On his website, www.leadingtheway.org, he has a video that is very moving. He is hoping to get 100,000 committed Christians and so far only has about 13,400. Surely there are more committed Christians than that in America! Please sign up if you feel led and invite others to do the same. Karen, I so agree with you…the descriptions found in Isaiah could describe our nation(s) today.
I love being on this journey with you all and even though you may not hear from me very often…I’m here in the shadows every day.
I hope everyone has a blessed day!
Diana
Midland, Texas
Hey, GIGS! Thanks to all of you precious ladies who lifted up prayers for my boys last week at camp. They had an awesome time, and GOd's presence was surely experienced.
Jacque, praying for you and the other gals with requests. God hears each word that we lift up to Him.
Wendy, sweet friend, thank you for sharing your heart this morning on the vlog. Sending you big hugs!
I have not finished the reading yet! Y'all have a great day and try to stay cool! Mercy!
Hugs!
Susan
Jacque, I am praying for you today! Praying for Michael. God's hand is upon him sister and your family. We have to get to the end of ourselves and God can step in, PTL that is what is happening.
Rhonda, thank you for opening your heart up to us today. And Lori, you too in what God is showing you this morning. Satan can be so sneaky. In ways we just never even realize.
Back to my to-do list...getting things knocked out and done today.
Oh and sisters I tried a wonderful, wonderful recipe this past weekend for a Berry Crisp. If you want a great 4th dessert recipe check it out on my blog. It is super yummy!
Back to it....sheets are calling to get back on the bed :)
Karen I met my Spiritual mom when I was 13, almost 28 years ago. She was my counselor at a camp I went to for the blind kids of VA. One day I became separated from our group and after over an hour she came looking for me and found me in our cabin. For over a year now I feel like God used that situation to create a friendship even though she's 19 years older than me. Last year I finally got the internet and we started emailing each other. Last April, 2009, I started opening up about traumatic things I've gone through that I never told anyone. Things like being abused as a child and then in my late teens and early adult years. At the end of that month, April 2009, God turned our friendship into a mother/daughter relationship. She's made me feel more loved and cared about than I've ever felt before even from my own famly. To answer your question. She has always lived in Central VA and I've always lived in Northern VA about three hours away. I stayed with her for two weeks when I was 18 and probably called her two or three times a year. We now talk and email all the time. Last September was the last time I saw her. She and I may not have kept in touch that much between 1987 and March 2009 but I have always believed that if two people are meant to be friends God is going to keep them together and he has done just that. He knew that she and I would have the relationship we have even before either of us new him.
I'm sorry for this long comment but when I start talking about my Spiritual mom I'm so filled up with love.
I've been listening to the comments while I'm unpacking so let me get back to it. Smile Amy, Lori, Grace and Pece, and everyone else. Being able to do this gives me a reason to be content with being blind. However, I want my sight. Even if it's just a little.
A message for Jacque. If you all choose to go the in-patient route the 'best' on the East Coast is Alina Lodge, Blairstown, NJ. They don't give a time frame - only 'not one day longer than necessary' - it is expensive but when it is your child... Anne in VA
Hey, everybody,
My dad just called me with a quick prayer request. A man named Gary Sutton, the husband of someone my dad works with sometimes, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is in the process of testing to determine a course of treatment. His wife happily agreed when my dad offered to pray for them and, when he told them about this group/site, asked how to check it out online. :-)
Also, a friend's mom has found a lump in her breast, and although she's been cancer free for 12 years, her docs think it's back. It doesn't sound so good this time; she'll know more next week.
I can't tell you how this group has encouraged and strengthened me. Knowing that there are other people out there who are trying to follow God's plan and who are willing to spend time together sharing what they've learned is just wonderful to me. Thanks so much!
Jaqcue, I'm praying for you and your son. I'm happy that he's home - it's a step!
Amy,
Praying for Gary Sutton and your friend's Mom - for God's healing and for lessons to be learned.
I mentioned Joni Eareckson Tada last week. She had surgery to remove breast cancer yesterday. Here is a link to an article written by John Piper who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It might be encouraging to cancer patients.
http://www.joniandfriends.org/static/uploads/PDFs/dont_waste_cancer2.pdf
Hello All,
I don’t even know where to begin. Wendy’s vlog today has really touched me – more than even I know.
I have been travelling this journey with God for some time – remembering back to youth group in my early teens. It has been a strong relationship most of the time – but I have often found myself pleasing others more than myself and more specifically, more than the Lord. It has devastated me when I realize this is wrong, and yet I seem to continue down that path. And yes, I have done things that are immoral – not illegal – but immoral, and that is so wrong. I have confessed, and yet find it very difficult to accept forgiveness from Him. I am a sinner and desperately seek forgiveness daily. I have continued walking with Him and striving to be more like Him. I have good days and bad. I struggle so much with “hearing” Him and knowing what He wants me to do, say, think, etc. I feel like I can’t trust what I am hearing – thinking it is either me or satan stepping in. I long for the true voice of my Father, and the faith and trust to actually hear it.
Wendy, your words today touched me so much. I have been looking to be filled by other things before the Lord. I have always gone to the Lord – throughout my life – but have difficulty actually being IN the Lord. On the outside – yep, I fit the part exactly, but on the inside, I am often empty. Jen Ren – I wish I had a spiritual mom – she sounds like a true blessing.
So many of you have stories where each of us relate to some or all of what is happening. Jacque – I cannot even imagine what you are going through and thank God Michael is home – and headed in a direction of hope, faith, healing, and grace. Praise God!
I wanted to update you on Rebecca. She is beginning her 6th week in the hospital. They have transferred her to Texas Children’s in Houston – and hopefully care will be more precise. She is having a tube placed down her throat – still no food/water by mouth. It is devastating. Mom and Dad are still trying to fit the pieces together. Please continue to pray for this family.
I also ask for prayers for those of us, or our family/friends, who are sick, missing something, looking in the wrong places, or just plain feeling lost – pray for guidance and wisdom as we continue on this journey with our Maker. He is good and will provide.
Finally, I cannot even begin to thank you all – every one of you – for making this a place I cherish and absolutely look forward to daily. You are all true blessings from our Father and I am truly blessed.
PS Anne in VA – I am just north of San Antonio. It would be great to hook up.
Jacque, SAPing up here in the lake region of New Hampshire for Michael and for you and your husband. You must feel so much better having him back under your roof. I know I would.
Heavenly Father, thank you for directing Michael's path back into the loving arms of his family. Thank you for all you are putting into motion right now to raise Michael up from the pit and strengthen him, and thank you for planning a future for Michael that will "prosper him and not harm him" (Jeremiah 9:11) We look forward to witnessing all you are planning to do for Michael and his parents as they face this foe together. We confidently pray that in the end, Michael will "look with triumph on his foes." We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Thank you Wendy so much, for sharing your testimony. I have a shopping addiction, also. I know exactly what you are saying. When I get stressed out, I just want to go to the store. TV was another one.
In April 2006, we cancelled our cable. We have no reception, just tapes. It was the HARDEST thing I ever lived through - whew! The rest of my family was totally unaffected by it. You would have thought I lost my right arm. It took several months to get past it.
Now, I don't miss it at all.
When I go shopping now, I NEED to pray before I enter the store. If not, Satan works me over good. He knows it is my weak area and always will be.
My son has the throw-ups today - started at 7 AM. He is asleep on the couch for two hours, so am keeping my fingers crossed he is done! Hopefully, I can have some Scripture thoughts tomorrow.
Rhonda in New York State
PS: I accidentally posted on Monday, so I miraculously did a copy and paste and put it in on Tuesday (just in case you see it twice!)
Dear Jacque,
I will SAP for your situation at home with Michael. I am sure it is comforting to have your son at home, but now you have to deal with adult issues. Keep trusting the Lord, His time, His way.
May you have a Peace that passes all understanding during this time.
Prayers,
Franny
Grace and Peace thank you for mentioning that Joni Eareckson Tada had surgery yesterday to remove breast cancer. I didn't catch your comment from last week. My Spiritual mom and I read her devotions every day. My Spiritual mom told me about Joni Eareckson Tada. I'll have to tell her about what you shared today.
I'm SAPing for all the prayer requests.
I write this with tears in my eyes, a day late. I read yesterday but was not able to post as it was one of my long days working both jobs.
Wendy, thank you for sharing your testimony and your heart. As I was reading Isaiah 5, it spoke to me and I couldn't put my finger on why. I thought that I would pick up a different translation but had to rush off to work and didn't.
You see, I too was empty and I am still being filled.
I was married for ten years, am still married but seperated. I grew up in a Pentecostal home/church claiming God as my Savior when I was a tween. I was active in the youth group although I never really felt a part of the group. I am an only child and for the majority of my life I have felt like the lone wolf even when I participate in group things.....
....So I left for college two hours away from home prepared to meet the world so I thought. I attended a church off and on for the first year then quit. I justified in my mind that God loved me for ME not my actions. I joined a sorority searching for friendship. I left the path of truch that I was raised on and forged my own way, thinking that it was better. It was on this path that I met my husband.
My husband is not a Christian, feels that organized religion is a cult and that all they (the church) really wants is someone's money. I brushed all this aside because I loved him and he needed me. See there's the key word...needed.
I am a nurturer. I live to take care of others, you have a need I will swoop in and fill it even if it's to my detriment.
So we lived together for awhile and we were married. I didn't attend church at first, then I would sproradically attend but the verbal abuse I received was too much. You see I lived with verbal abuse throughout the entire relationship. My husband was/is a very unhappy person so he threw all those insecurities onto me in the form of words. Like Wendy, I woke up every morning looking to fill the void.....
I did things that were wrong, so very wrong. I racked up credit card debt buying things that I thought would bring happiness,I lied about that debt and robbed Peter to pay Paul as they say, I searched and didn't find.
We moved my mother-in-law in with us due to illness and I became her full time care giver in addition to my regular job. Yet through her I picked up the Bible again. I went back to church but again not on a regular basis. And then one night my husband came home and the verbal turned physical. He ended up in jail and I ended up living out of a suitcase at my pseudosister's home. I was torn down to the very roots of my soul and there is where I found God again. He didn't find me because He was there all along. I found Him waiting to pick me up, forgive my sins and help me find true happiness and love. It's been almost a year and half and I still have SO far to go. But I have the right road map now and I am trusting in Him.
Blessings
Jessica
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