Friday, March 30, 2007

Power of Prayer

I am Praising the Lord for the prayers of people. It is so awesome to enlist prayer warriors about the issues of life and to watch the prayers being answered. I know people are praying because supernatural things happen when they do. Wow! Thank you for praying!

My Time with the Lord

I have been reading in Hebrews the last couple of days and have seen some really awesome things. Hebrews 5:8 "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." What? Wait a minute, I thought Christ knew it all! Christ "learned" about obedience through His suffering. I crossed referenced this verse because I was so curious. Philippians 2:8 was one center column reference "...and became obedient unto death..." and the cross reference for that is Matthew 26:39, which says: "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

Christ's ultimate desire was not to go through death on the cross but was willing if that is what it took. Obviously, this made me feel relieved to know that even Christ the Son of God had to learn obedience also. I am more than certain it didn't take Him as long as it does for me during those times of "suffering".

I can think of several areas of my life currently that I struggle through. But am so encouraged to just obey. I need to always to be focused on the end not on the current struggle. Isaiah 1:19 "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land."

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Daddy Daughter Banquet

Ryan and Avigail went to a Father /Daughter Banquet

February 2006 - What an amazing thing to have Avigail taken to a ball with her daddy. She was beaming when daddy put a beautiful locket around her neck before taking her to the ball. She was so proud to have a special date with daddy. What a tremendous impact this will have on her whole life. They had a great time along with 250 plus other dads and daughters from the church. What a huge success it was.

In the Midst of the Storm

I have had some of the toughest storms lately in regards to discipline with my girls. Resistence to obedience has been great lately. But it comes with no surprise because I had been praying that God would teach me how to truly experience Him as my refuge. He has given countless opportunities to seek Him and experience Him as just that. Wow, what peace came in the midst of each battle. I was able to see God's Word played out in the script of my days.

Psalm 46 says "God is our (my) refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." God has been my help in the "trouble" I have faced. I had a super natural strength to continue with the discipline and yet balanced with a deep love.

v.2 "Therefore will not we fear, though the earth shall be removed, and though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof..." It did seem at times lately that the earth was being removed and the mountains shaking. But....v.5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: (again the promise) God shall help her, and that right early."

In all honestly, I am working on the "fear" part of things. It was difficult to know the possibility of waking up the next day and facing the same battle again was not something I looked forward to. But I have begun praying that God would continue to grow me by increasing my faith in Him.

His promises were and are true. I've always known that, but lately have really been able to see it at a greater depth. I have always prayed that my dependence for Him would grow more and more. I know sometimes that comes from the difficult times.

Potting Training 101 - Updated 4/9/07

Here is an update on the Potty Training. When we started potty training Ella she showed all the signs of being ready. She had dry diapers overnight, she initiated going on the toilet. She was doing well for a time, but then started consistently having accidents. I really was getting frustrated. We made the decision to back off a lot. Because the accidents were becoming very negative for everyone. Everything I have read and heard said that it should not be a negative experience to potty train if they are truly ready. We made the decision to put Ella back in diapers. Making this decision has been a positive thing. She is perfectly content to go in her diaper. We will revisit again when she is 2 1/2 years. I don't feel regret for trying so early, nor do I regret putting her back in diapers. She'll get it!

Our House is a Very fine House

Wow things for us have changed so dramatically. We have moved out of our home in Raytown. We had the incredible blessing of moving into house rent-free. There is a couple in our church that were going to be house sitting for several months and they wanted us to come live in their house. So that enables us to have our house on the market without being in it. So we don't get a call 20 minutes before they are ready to show it. Oh my goodness how do you keep a house picked up with 2 little playful kids. We don't have worry now. God is so good.