365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 75

If you watched the Superbowl, you ended up watching one of those white knuckle game endings when the score is so close and all it takes is a touchdown to win the game but you have to do it in less than 57 seconds. Well, nothing is impossible but it didn't happen this time for the Patriots. Those extra 57 seconds they had to try to score that touchdown didn't result in what they wanted. They didn't win. I thought about this concepting of winning later after the game and was very comforted by the thought that though my everyday life may not go as I wanted or hoped for that in the end Jesus already scored that winning touchdown for me. I have already won! So, when everyday life gets you feeling a little down and discouraged, when your play in the game isn't going as you hoped for or wanted; look at the bigger picture and realize your game has already been won and your plays have already been called into account by God. Keep running your plays for God but know that the game is already won. Thank you Jesus for scoring that touchdown for me!
Phillipians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 74

As I was cuddling with my daugther in her bed last night, she commented "you're the perfect mom". When an opportunity presents itself like this to talk about Jesus, I take it. I told her nobody is perfect only Jesus is perfect and we just have to keep trying. Her response, "you're perfect to me". But than she added that we aren't perfect because we have sin. That's right our sin pulls us away from the Lord but thankfully we are forgiven. She finished it with "because Jesus died on the cross". I was immediately impressed with how much our teaching with the help of our church has sunk in. The sin that I am sure that my daughter thinks of and confessed to me last year, was that she secretly got into the Splenda packets downstairs and ate them. What pulls us into sin? For her, at this point in her life, it is her sweet tooth. There are two broad-termed ways we are pulled into sin: Temptations and Fears. Does one of these strike a cord with you? I know for me at this time in my life, it is fears, especially the fear of what others think of me or what I am doing. It is a constant battle but being in the word everyday, praising God everyday, praying everyday is helping me conquer my fear. The encouraging words that my daughter said to me last night are just another way of God telling me you are loved just as you are and you are doing what I want you to do so do not fear but strive for perfection. My prayer for you is that your heart will be open to hearing what God is speaking to you today.
Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 73

Friday was my 16th wedding anniversary. Thanks to the snow we didn't do anything as planned but I told my hubbie we have Valentine's Day as our back-up so our dinner out will happen eventually. I was looking at this scrapbook page I created on God's love and contemplating what my journaling would be. I chose a photo of my hubbie and I that was taken with my iphone this last Thanksgiving and the connection of the day came to me. We met on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 1994. At that time although I believed in God and Jesus in my head, I did not have them in my heart. Our marriage didn't begin with God in it but it has certainly grown to be that way. God is now a central part of our marriage and has made it stronger and better than ever. God first loved us and it's because of his love that Nathan and I are truly able to love each other. Without God, we never would have been here and never have been put in each other's path. So thank you God for loving us and creating us and bringing us together to live out your love through loving each other.
1John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 72

Snow is upon us in a big way. I find it funny how snow can be so good in ways like no school for the kids but so negative as in car accidents, shoveling, stressful driving conditions, etc. I have always said that a job and the money I would make in one day is not worth the effort and potential for disaster that driving on snowy roads with blizzard conditions would bring. So, it looks like it's a snow day for me, too. Since the stories of 911 of people that said they should have been in the twin towers but they weren't for various reasons like they missed the train or the alarm clock didn't go off; I have always felt that we are exactly where God wants us to be. So, if God wants me at home today staying safe than I will accept whatever may come from that and will pray that those out on the roads will be safe.
Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 71

Sleep. It hasn't been so good lately but instead of going into the easy cranky negative mode from lack of sleep, I am going to praise God that I have a bed and home to sleep in. It is one of those things that we very much take for granted but there are so many around the world living on the streets, using a cardboard box for cover and their own dirty clothes for any warmth. My prayer is for those without a home and a warm bed to sleep in that hope will be sparked in them and that God will use people to reach out and help them. Here is a link to a local shelter See how you can help!
Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 70

My son lost his retainer. To me it almost seems like inevitable that this would happen. It's just not something you are use to doing and distractions happen. So some poor guy cleaning our table up at Jason's Deli probably saw and wondered 'what the heck', into the trash I am sure is where it went. My hubbie was fuming at this loss because he thought the cost to replace ran around $250. Ouch! In the scheme of things, I certainly don't want his teeth to get messed up and ruin all the work and money already put into them but at the same time I feel like we have to focus on the fact that we could give him braces in the first place. We have much to be thankful for and yes an extra $250 will hurt and probably mean no mini trip during Spring Break but I am going to pray and keep my focus on the positive and know that in the end God will provide as he always does.
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds?

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 69

I can see the doors opening! Day by day as I keep to His word and focus on my God who loves me I am finding mile marker posts keep coming up showing me I am on the right path. I spoke with a friend who happens to be pastor at a church and she passed onto me another church possiblity where I can possibly get in a workshop or series of workshops. Working within your own network of people can help get you further out there to new people. I am feeling very blessed for these people that get what I am trying to accomplish and I know in the end when this minisry is successful and thriving I will be able to look back and see all the wonderful people who played a part in it's journey to success. Thank you Lord for those people you place in my path that are really angels in disguise.
Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyon hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.