Closer to God

Do you have a consistent quiet time with God each day? My quiet time is always first thing in the morning (I am so glad that God looks at the inside and not the outside!) I wake up before my family does, and I wander out into the den where I snuggle into the sofa and read my Bible. Then, I ponder what I just read and I write it into my journal along with the days prayer requests and praise reports.

For years I have fought getting up super early in order to have this time with God, but I have finally realized that for me it is the best time to spend with Him.

It's a wonderful way to start off my day in the right frame of mind.

However, I've noticed that I have felt desperate for Him this week. I've wondered what was causing the longing that I was feeling in my spirit, since I have been faithful to have those quiet times lately.

Then it hit me, I've been so busy and had at least one other person in my presence for almost an entire week straight. I haven't had enough uninterrupted prayer time. You know, fellowship with my Lord. I was missing my Savior.

I've found that my relationship with my husband can work the same way. We can be together for a whole week but if we don't spend some time just sharing with each other or holding each other, then I feel lonely for him.

I was excited about this revelation because it has showed me that my relationship with the Lord is so much more than Bible reading and a quick prayer, it is a living breathing relationship - how cool is that!!

Thankful Thursday #19

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here's my list for this week.

1) I am thankful that my husband is a man who has strong character. Whenever life gets difficult, I know I can turn to Tim for strength and courage and support. He always rises to the occasion. I need a man like that in my life!

2) I am thankful for my children. Each child is a hand picked special gift from God to me. Every day that I have with them is a privilege and a joy. My quiver is truly full of God's blessings.

3) I am thankful for God's creation. This week, while eating lunch, my kids and I spotted a pair of bluebirds sitting on our deck railing. The sun was gleaming on their neon blue backs and it was a sheer delight to behold with our eyes!

4) I am thankful that when life gets tough, we can be confident that God is holding us up and walking us through the situation.

5) I am thankful for these T.T. posts. My heart is heavy tonight so taking time to write this post has helped to shift my focus from the woes of life, to the blessings.

I pray that you are uplifted by being here today. I encourage you to participate, especially if you don't feel very thankful right now. Love you all! God Bless.

Discovering Me

This has been a crazy year so far. If you've been following my blog posts you know that change is the theme for me right now. If you're new here I'll re-cap.

1) After seven years of homeschooling, I'm sending my kids to our local Christian school (at our church).

2) After living in my house for the past 10 years we are moving about 12 miles further into the country.

3) After staying at home for the last 16 years, I'm going to be working at my husband's office 2 mornings per week.

A few posts ago I blogged about changes and how the only thing that is not going to change in our lives is God. He is who He says He is, and He does what He says He will do.

Today I'm realizing that there should be another thing that is constant, what He says about me (and you). He has a lot to say about us in His Word and it doesn't change. This week I am going to focus on who I am in Christ's eyes because I need to find some of that consistency in my life.

I am a child of the living God.

I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and my name is in the Lambs book of life.

I am marvelously and wonderfully made.

God has prepared good works for me to do even before I was born. (my purpose in life)

God has chosen me to serve and glorify Him.

God wants to have a relationship with me so badly that He send His only son to die and then be ressuracted for my life.

He created me exactly the way He wanted me to be. I am perfect through the blood of Jesus.

Ok, that's just the tip of the ice berg! I hope this list will encourage you this week. We are of great value, because our Father said so!

Thankful Thursday #18

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Now onto my list:

1) I am thankful that my husband is so thoughtful. Saturday was extremely hectic and emotionally draining for me. Seeing that I was spent he took the kids to run some errands and told me to just have some quiet time before the Lord. It was quite refreshing.

2) I am thankful for the new Christian school we are sending our kids to. They have bent over backwards to accommodate us and make us feel loved. We've had several Mom's just give us bags filled with uniforms of all sizes! That's God's love shinning through His people!

3) I am thankful that God loves my children. As my oldest daughter started school in the midst of a school year, she had some legitimate fears. But God came alongside her and dispelled every one! His love is so AMAZING!

4) I am thankful for the opportunity to purchase a new home. We've lived in our current home since we built it 10 years ago. At the time we only had 2 children - now we have 6 and are busting at the seams! What a great country we live in.

5) I am thankful that when I ran my friends van out of gas (her gas gauge is apparently broken!) I was in the turning lane of the gas station! LOL! I am also grateful for the 4 men who came out and pushed me to the pump!! (One happened to be my adult nephew, Brooks - Thanks!)

This week I am particularly thankful for the love that God's people have poured out into my life and my family's lives. Thank you Father for showing your love through the body.

Consistency

My life has been full of changes lately. First, we've decided to move further into the country. Next, we need to purge our house in order to put it on the market. Finally, we are going to be sending our children to a Christian school next year.

Phew! That's a lot to think about. But then things keep on changing. The first house we were interested in sold 3 days prior to us putting a contract on it. Next, the school has offered to let the kids come there for the first 3 classes each day in order to become acclimated to "school". How nice was that!

I've decided that the one thing that is constant in this life is CHANGE!!!

Isn't is amazing that knowing how wrought with change our lives would be at times, God says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever!!! I can always go to Him with confidence that He is who he says He is. I love being a Christian! He truly is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

If your life is starting to frustrate you because of too many changes going on around you, be confident that you can go to God as a source of peace because of His consistency and faithfulness and love.

Thankful Thursday #16

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here is my list for this week:

1) I'm thankful that my husband has faith in God. He is someone who will trust God when other's would be shaken. I love that about him, unshakable faith.

2) I'm thankful that we have found a great house that we want to buy. God has lined up several things in order for us to have this opportunity and I'm trusting Him to complete the work that He has started.

3) I'm thankful for small rural towns. We live in one of those, and it is just fun! There's a local coffee shop, a YMCA, and a yummy Chinese restaurant. Quaint.

4) I'm thankful for God's Word. I know that I can always turn to God's Word to lead me and direct me, no matter what decision I'm making.

5) I'm thankful for each one of you who have linked up for the Thankful Thursday Meme's. Your lists have inspired me and touched me over the past few months.

God bless each one of you! Remember to give Him all the glory - great things He has done.

My Soul Sings

I awaken each morning,
While the house is at rest.
I race to our meeting place
wanting to give you my best.

I open my Bible,
thumb through its pages.
Looking and longing,
For your words are all ageless.

Here it is, I’ve found it,
A love letter from my King!
I read it, devour it,
Your words how they sing!

I feel your warm touch
Your presence – so sweet.
For me there’s so much
No love could compete.

I drink up your word
Like honey for my soul.
To be one with you Lord
To be loved to be whole.

Satisfied with thee
My day may begin.
Your peace I take with me
‘til we meet again.

Testimony Time

Hello my precious bloggie friends! Saturday night my family and I went to see a special evangelist named, Todd White of Neck Ministries, at a local church. His focus is demonstrating God's love by using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I've seen many evangelists over the course of my lifetime, but he is different. Instead of wanting any of the "lime lite" for himself, he encourages others in the church to begin allowing God to use them to minister love around them.

Just before the Saturday night service, Todd went to Applebees with the local church's pastor's. While in the restaurant he had an opportunity to talk with the Hostess, Waiter, and Manager. God just opened the door and he had a word of knowledge about pain that the Hostess was having. Then he got her permission to pray for God to heal her. She was healed of extreme back pain immediately and was forever changed! At that point he spoke into her life and God began healing some personal heart issues within her life. He had a similar experience with the Waiter and Manager.

He didn't preach that they were sinners bound for hell, no he just loved them by expressing how much their heavenly father loved them. After giving the testimony, he pointed out that hundreds of Christians had probably eaten at that restaurant and not one had looked for the opportunity to minister to that hurting hostess. It was a sobering moment!

I am sharing this to say that we need to think outside of the box - get out of our comfort zone! Todd said that he doesn't do outreach (then he said that outreaches are important) because if he did, when he got home he would think he was done and turn off that switch, so to speak. He has a point. We need to learn to be God's mouthpiece, eyes, ears, arms and legs all of the time!!

I don't know about you but I can get very focused on the task at hand when I go places. I am praying that God will open my eyes to see what He sees as I go about my week this week. Even if I can share God's love with one hurting soul, it's been worth it.

Heaven is not our goal, crushing the works of the devil is our goal, heaven is just the final reward for believing in Christ as our savior!

If you are reading this post you need to know that God loves you.

Thankful Thursday #15

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

This is my list for March 5, 2009.

1) I am thankful that my oldest daughter, Brittany, turned 13 yesterday! It is so exciting that 13 years ago God blessed me with my oldest daughter. She has been an inspiration and source of great joy over the past 13 years. I couldn't have asked for a better first born child. She is mature, and loves the Lord. She is a delight to talk to, and an extremely organized person. She is beautiful both inside and out. I love you, Brittany!

2) I am thankful for the snow! We got 12 inches of snow on Sunday and that's huge for Virginia. The kids have had 3 snow days and we've played hard.

3) I am thankful for play dates with friends. Because of the snow I was able to hang out with Chatty Kelly and her family yesterday! A special treat.

4) I am thankful for the Jerry B. Jenkins mentoring program that I'm taking online. My mentor is great and she is giving me invaluable advice!

5) I am thankful that my husband is my best friend. We had a chance to just hang out at a local coffee shop yesterday for about an hour and it was fun! Being with Tim is one of my favorite things to do.

I pray for each one who stops by this blog, that you will take the time to look at life as a cup half full. Happiness is a decision, not a feeling, so decide to be thankful and happy today.