365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 157

We were watching the hit drama Once Upon a Time last night and as I watched the evil queen and her attempt to connect romantically with the prince who rejects her. The emotions she felt brought to life how much each of us just wants to be loved. They had already shown a part of the evil queen's past in a previous episode so you know why she ends up full of hatred toward Snow White and you know she wasn't always evil. She wanted love, had love and it was taken from her. Love hurts without a doubt. That hurt can lead us down the wrong road away from God. I can't even imagine the kind of hurt God felt as his only son Jesus was dying on the cross. He could have saved him but his love for us was so unimaginably great that he endured the pain and hurt of watching his only son die so that we could be washed free of our sins and be able to be with God forever. So, take the lesson of the evil queen and remember that when love hurts we need to turn closer to God who loves us in ways no one else can.
1 John 4:9-10 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 156

It's been on my mind since our mother, daughter, sister counseling session in San Antonio about friendship. My sister feels like she has no friends. Hmmmmmm. How many times have I felt that way? Too many to number. My mom said she has often felt alienated or like she doesn't belong when going into group situations. Hmmmmm. How many times have I felt that way? Too many to number. I was talking with my sister-in-law about this yesterday and yes Hmmmmmmmm... she feels like she doesn't have friends and feelings like she doesn't belong often too. My first thought was, "it's not just me". This seems to be a pretty common thing. Do you feel like you have no friends or at least no close friends? Have you felt alienated and felt like you don't belong when joining in with a group? In thinking about friends I felt the closest to a best friend in the flesh is my hubbie but by far my bestest friend is the Lord Almighty. He's the only one that knows me inside and out, front and back, through and through. He knows me like no one else. He knows my fears, what makes me cry, what brings me the greatest joy, my favorite "everything", my every feeling and thought from the moment I was conceived until forever thanks to Jesus. Without a doubt, when I am starting to feel like I have no friends or don't belong I look to the one who is my closest confidant, go-to person and bestest friend. When it seems like no one loves me, understands me, gets me. He does and always will. Remember God is your best friend too! Psalm 139:1 O Lord, you have searched me and know me.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 155

I bought and read a book I picked up at the airport bookstore called Nine Days in Heaven. It is based on a true story of a woman from the 1800's who went into a trance that she was in for nine days. In that time, she was shown parts of heaven. She was not a believer but on the fence at the time this happened to her. There are some very facininating details of what she saw and who she spoke with. I am re-reading it now as I tend to miss things the first time around and it was just too facinating to not read again. One interesting thing that has me especially excited especailly with all my body-health issues is that she saw people she knew who had died and they didn't look the same. They looked like they were, in the simplest description possible, in their optimal time of life. In growing older, I find this so very hopeful. All the aches and pains, all the wrinkles and weakness, all the gray hair and sagging will be gone. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful to God for the body he gave me and am grateful that overall it is a healthy body. But to have the optimal health body of my 20's, now that is hope. Growing old can be discouraging with all these aches, pains, etc but knowing that my life with Jesus will be like this is a great encouragement when those pains are in full force. Focusing on my future with the Lord is much better than being sucked into the negative feelings that the pain of growing old can bring. Is your focus where it should be? Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray haris I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustan you and I will rescue you.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 154

Conflict is not may favorite thing to be in the middle of but I found myself exactly smack in the middle of it on my trip to San Antonio. My sister had gone into her more quiet moody mode and though it didn't bother me, it bothered my mom. She ended up blowing up mostly towards my sister but like I said I was right there in the middle. It turns out I was the problem. My sister, at first, denied there was any problem but my mom persisted and it came out. She was thinking that mom loved me more because she thought my mom was talking with me more during our trip. Funny thing is I have felt that way a bit here and there with their relationship in the last couple of years because it seems to have gotten closer and I have felt left out but I have been quickly able to put it in the proper perspective and let it go. It was spiraling out of control so I suggested we do a bible study together as I had my notes from my workshop recently about John 16:33. We had done a bible study kind of thing together on our trip to Phoenix a couple years ago and it was wonderful. To me it was a common link that could bring us together. Our love for and faith in the Lord. My sister didn't respond at first but when I got up and stood in front of her I gently told her that we needed to bring the Lord into this and let him help. She came and sat down with us and we started the bible study that eventually led to other topics that helped show us that we are all the same, we all feel alienated or like we don't belong. We all feel like we aren't loved as much as someone else. We all feel like we have no friends. In the end we were laughing and saying we need to do a bible study at the beginning of our trip instead of at the end. The Lord helped bring peace into each of our hearts and brought us together as one body. It really was a beautiful thing to see unfold before me. Thank you Lord for my mom and my sister and for bringing us together as one in you. Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as memeber of one body you were called to peace.

We always get something for each of us to remember the trip by. It's always been jewelry. You see crosses everywhere in San Antonio and because of our conflict and the Lord bringing us back together again, it seemed very appropriate that we get crosses. So, we found a shop with lots of cross jewelry and we each picked our own cross. This is a photo of us in the airport to head home where our crosses.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 153

It hurts and is humiliating even to write this but I am a sinner just like everyone. While in San Antonio, my mom and sister and I went out to a pub for drinks and dinner. I intended to stick with just the one beer I order especially after getting a headache the day before after having the margarita at Rita's on the Riverwalk. But a table of folks next to us had ordered this drink sampler thingy the pub had. It was probably less than a minute and we were ordering one for our table. I call this the downfall. This is where it went downhill. Having 6 different mixed drinks that were all pretty darn good was just the frosting on the cake. The cherry and whipped cream were added when the table next to us order a round of tequila for us. Oh no! We all went along with it except my sister who has had a very bad experience with tequila enough to make her never want to have it again. I ordered some food thankfully at this point but my mom ordered more tequila for us so we were pretty toasted. At this point a singing drunk man came over to our table and was on his knees singing very loud and obnoxiously. I had eaten most of my pasta dish that I wanted at this point and without really thinking took a bite of pasta and put it in the singing drunks mouth. Once wasn't enough, I did it again and at this point my mom whispered to me that the man was a pan-handler. I stopped and the guys at the table next to us escorted the singing drunk out of the restaurant. It hit me later on at about 4am in the morning when I woke up in bed what I had done. I cried to Jesus for forgiveness for being a drunk fool. I opened up an avenue for sin to come out in myself with drinking too much. I am not a drinker anymore so it doesn't take much. In any case, I spoke to my mom and sister about it and vowed never to drink like that again. My mom told me he wasn't a pan-handler but just some drunk guy in the bar but that still didn't excuse my own sin. Drunkeness leads to foolishness, period. Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 152

I was thinking over some of the things that happened on my trip and this one particular incident that happened the first day although funny to look back on makes me wonder how well do I hear. My mom and sister and I were eating at Rita's on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. As we were enjoying our mexican fiest, a mariachi band came over to a table in our area and played a fun sing-a-long kind of song. Afterwards, they made there way over to our table. It was so fun watching that I wanted them to sing for us, too. One of the guys said something that I didn't quite understand but I just nodded okay so they began there song. My mom eyed me during the song to give them $5 for a tip so I pulled out some cash. When I handed it to the guy after the song had ended he tells me it's $10 for a song. They weren't singing for free! I guess I missed that when he spoke to me before the song. I know I don't do well with accents because of my undiagnosed auditory disorder and you throw in the atmosphere of a restaurant and it's noise and it's a combo that just doesn't work for my ears. I paid the $10 and we laughed and balked to each other how we had been duped because we didn't hear. We told ourselves that if anyone else came up to us wanting to do anything, they would have to have a big sign saying it was free before we said yes. Our salvation is free. The cost was paid by Jesus' death on the cross and resurection from the dark pit of hell. We don't have to do good things to earn our salvation, all we need to do is choose to believe in Jesus. So now when I think of the cross and Jesus, I think there is also a big sign saying free! Romans 3:24 There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redepmption that came by Christ Jesus.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 151

My long weekend trip to San Antonio with my mom and sister was a wonderful time of renewal just getting away from it all and having fun with each other and catching up but there were the not so good parts as well that I will share more of in the days to come. I am thankful to God for giving us this opportunity each year to come together and I pray that we can stay more connected to each other throughout the year until the next trip. Now, it's back to reality, the work is piling up at work, the laundry and housecleaning are calling out to me and Faith's hair needs some washing. LOL! Praise God for our times of renewal and prayers for the catching up parts afterwards. Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 150

A friend of mine at work knows of 4 year old girl who has been battling brain cancer. At the time I first heard about it several months ago, it was not looking very good but I put in a prayer request at church and know that lots of others having been prayer for this little girl. I got the wonderful news today. She is in remission! Praise the Lord!!!! Only God can work such miracles. So no matter how hopeless things may feel, keep praying and ask others to pray for you. God hears our prayers and in his time will answer them.
Psalm 6:9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 149

I am on vacation and I have had time to just breath and pray and let God work in me without all the cares of life and my work weighing me down. I am praising God for these retreats where one can get away from it all and just have fun, love and be with God and each other. God gave us a retreat every week with the Seventh day being our day of rest. Take this day and open your heart to ways you have never done before. Not a journaler, try it! Singing not your thing, turn on the worship music and do it! Not big on being on the phone, call a believer and catch up!Haven't read the bible in who knows how long, open up Psalms and just read one! Take this day of rest and devote it to God.
Psalm 77:12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 148

Everyday we are assaulted from all sides by the evil in our world. I am comforted and feel strengthend just knowing I have the Lord on my side. He will give me everything I need to conquer my fears, to stand up for the Lord and to be strong in the face of adversity. It doesn't matter what the issue is; God is with us and for us. Go to the one who can give you what you need to win the battle. I know I am. Thank you Lord for your strength and your shield.
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my sheild; my heart trusts in him and I am helped.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 147

The Lord has been giving me scripture after scripture to help me let go of my idealistic thoughts on how my workshops should be and what faithbooking should be for everyone. He has been working on me and letting me know that what I am doing is for His good purposes. So, again I am praising the Lord for bringing me these scriptures in my inbox that are so speaking to me about my own discouragement and expectations. This scripture he brought to me tells me that just bringing believers togehter to do something in His name is a wonderful thing so I will perserve and look to the Lord to be my guide. Has discouragement about something got you down? Look to the Lord for encouragement and truth and be set free from your own discouragement.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 146

I went on a walk yesterday with my daughter. She has lots of questions these days and really is wonderful at thinking things through. She brought up that she felt ignored by most of the kids at school. She has her friends but I guess she is feeling like she is being judged by the outside and not the inside. I will have to dig a bit more to see where all this is coming from but I am praising God for her and being able to build her up as much as I can do. You want the best for your children and it is tough to see them struggle with things of life but I will pray to God that he will lead her through this issue and that she will know in her heart that she is loved. Are you not feeling loved? Know that you are loved by the one who created love.
Psalm 86:13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 145

My thoughts have been on the workshop I did on Sunday. It didn't go as I had planned but I do think it was successful and everyone left feeling good about what they had done. It was mostly kids doing the projects and the mother's helping them so the whole bible study aspect that I had in my head didn't happen. So, I have been struggling with discouragement and dissapointment because it didn't turn out as I had planned and thankfully God has lead me back to reality. It's not about my plans but His. You planted some seeds, you got the mother's hopefully thinking about how to be more intentional with their faith and they each created something that will be a reminder to them of their faith, our Savior and the awesome God of our universe. I gave these moms and the one lady without any kids an opportunity to learn how they could apply their faith. It's up to them on how to respond. The idealist in me would love to see everyone become passionate and committed like I am to faithbooking but the reality is it's up to each of us what we choose. So, if I planted a little seed, got some hearts and minds thinking about the Lord than I will let God do the rest.
Thank you Lord for helping me over the obstacle of my own idealist self and my own expectations and seeing the reality of your truth.
Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 144

At the end of the sermon on Sunday our pastor radomly got a lady up from her seat and asked her to make her way down the aisle heading out, than he asked the congregation to cheer wildly. We all broke out into applause with some whistling and shout-outs. I wish I could see the congregations faces. I bet we were all smiling. Our pastor created a demonstration of what it will be like when we enter God's Kingdom, everyone will be cheering wildly with overwhelming amounts of joy because you have come home.
As we watched the movie Titanic that evening, I immediately picked up on the applause of the long dead Titanic victims as the main character made her way in and up to Jack at the top of the steps. They were all applauding because she had come home and they were together again. It's like the story of the prodigal son who humbly returns whom full of repentance and is created by his father who is full of joy that his long lost son has come home. Imagine all the Kingdom of God, all the angels, all your loved ones who have gone before you, cheering you on as you walk into the Kingdom of Heaven. Each of us do matter. There is great joy in heaven when another person choose to accept Jesus as his or her savior and even more joy when you finally come home. Praise God for this awesome gift of eternal life in His Kingdom.
Luke 15:32 "But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 143

As I was doing my final preparations for my first faithbooking workshop at Wilson United Methodist Church, an obstacle came up. I had it in my head that I wanted to finish the workshop by playing the song Overcome by Jeremy Camp but I went to bed frustrated with Itunes because it was giving me an error message. I went to bed praying that it would all turn out well. In the morning, I got the same error message. Oh No! What to do?! So, I decided to at the least go on the internet and find the lyrics to the song. Praise the Lord! I found the song with lyrics on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRCFRenm91k&feature=related
The Lord provided again and always will.
Psalm 34:1 I will extol the Lord at all times, his praise will always be on my lips.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 142

It is the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic today. In thinking on this, I am so comforted by the thought that people do matter. Even a hundred years later, though we don't know specifically who these people were, we feel compassion and sadness for what they had to go through. Nobody wants to go out tragically, but we cannot escape tragedy in this world. Thankfully, we have an awesome God who can take tragic events like this and use them for good. I have not personally had to deal with a tragic event but I will not worry about it. I will continually prepare myself by cementing in my faith with a solid foundation that will not be shaken. Is your faith growing day by day or are you at a standstill?
Isaiah 28:16 See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 141

Affirmations are like positive prayers and when said and thought of often can work on your heart and soul. It's the power of your own mind that God has given you. I was looking at Psalms this morning and found a perfect affirmation that I believe is the key to everything else, focusing on the Lord. It is a recurrent idea that keeps coming up in bible study after bible study. Conquering fears, overcoming challenges of life, loving and forgiving others and everything will happen when we set the Lord before us always. This is one of those scriptures you must put on your bathroom mirror, at the kitchen table, in the car and everywhere. This goes to the top of my to-do list! Do you have the Lord set before you always?
Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 140

My day yesterday started off with a phone call I needed to make to an angry alarm company. Thanks to God I was able to keep my own cool and not say what I really wanted to say which was more like quit your bitching so I can help you! But instead the words came out, I can only help you when you calm down. It probably was about 10 minutes into it that he finally either got enough of his anger out or finally heard me that he stopped spouting off his frustrations and threats. I was able to get the problem figured out and the conversation ended with some laughs about going to get coffee although he had to throw out one more subtle threat of 'it's only 45 minutes to Colorado Springs'. I ended up with a few frustrated alarm companies yesterday and still have more to make return calls to so who knows what my day will bring today. I am just thankful to God for helping me keep my focus on trying to help and solve the issue and keep my own calm. It was very helpful to hear my co-workers praise of my efforts afterwards but I still wonder if I could have done any better. So, I will pray today that my words will come out as God would like.
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 138

In the evening on Easter, I saw our cat Luke sitting on a red blanket with the stuffed lamb that Faith got for Easter. I was immediately struck with this is like the lion and the lamb peacefully sitting together in heaven. I just love little gifts like this that God gives me. I ran for my camera and thanks to God was able to get a photo of it. I was looking for the scripture on this and having trouble so I turned to google.com to help. I found out that this among others are often misquoted scriptures. The scripture actually says it's a wolf and a lamb. In any case, the idea of a peaceful kingdom where a predator can live in peace with the preys of this world is so hopeful. This is a good lesson in you can't always believe what you hear so go to the Word of God and find the truth.
Isaiah 11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 139

I hate that insecure feeling I get when my bank account goes below a certain limit. It's a reminder to me that I have spent too much and probably not as wisely as I should have. It's a fear that we all probably have dealt with from time to time. But our God is a god of blessings and abundance. He loves us and will take care of us. Jesus tells us this when he says to look how the the birds of the air are fed and without worry and how the lily of the field is growing and beautiful and how much more God will take care of us whom he loves. As I prepare to make one more payment towards something and know that it will put me under my limit, I am going to be proactive and choose to believe that God will take care and I have nothing to worry about. Part of conquering our fears, I have learned is to be aware of them, pray to the Lord for courage and trust God fully. Lord, you will fill me with faith and courage to conquer this fear and all my fears. Thank you for giving me the faith and courage to overcome. Amen.
Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 137

In preparing for the review of our bible study, Fearless by Max Lucado, I have been thinking a lot about fear and some of the things touched on in this study. I am finding that trust is the key antidote for fear. How hard is it for us to trust? I think it really is a day by day, moment by moment kind of thing. Trust is something that we have to ask for help with. Call on the Holy Spirit to fill us with faith each day. I think of the time I was in the hospital before Faith was born and feel like that what I felt was the ultimate in trust. I had peace and an assurance that everything was going to be alright. That was the Holy Spirit working in me. There have been other times since that I have felt the peace descend upon me but it isn't everyday. I want to trust and be filled with faith everyday and I know with that will be my courage. Thank you Lord for giving me what I need. I need to trust more and fear less. Help me to drink in the trust and pour out the love of you with courage and confidence.
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 136

I talked to my kids the other day about the analogy of the spaghetti and the sauce and although my son was a bit stoic with an "uh-huh", Faith was a bit more interested. This apparently sunk in as this weekend as we were on a drive down into town she excitedly says I have got a good one. So, I asked her to go on and she tells me we are like the lemons in lemonade and our sin makes us sour but Jesus is the sugar and makes us better. I was both amazed and proud of my 9 year old daughter for coming up with her own analogy. So, the lemons have been bought and we will be making lemonade. I will, of course, take some picutures so that she can make her own faithbooking page about her lemonade analogy. I can't wait to share that one with you! Ask the Lord to sweeten you today and make you better.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who love me and gave himeself for me.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 135

He is Risen! Today is the day we celebrate our salvation. God gave us hope in his son Jesus. We can go through our lives with the Holy Spirit guiding, helping, strengthening and growing us. Jesus has overcome the world! We, too, can overcome the challenges that life will throw at us with Jesus by our side. Hope is Alive! Jesus is Alive! Thank you Lord for the greatest of all gifts. Have a blessed Easter and may you keep the celebration of your salvation in your hearts, souls and minds throughout everyday of the year.
1John 4-5 And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 134

I came home last night to a yellow official looking note from school. UhOh. Apparently, Faith went along with what a friend told her to do which was to sit on a boy's legs as the other girl was sitting on his back. Faith made the wrong choice and sat on his legs. She had been sent to her room until I had come home and ended up cleaning her room and making me a love note among other things. She was downcast about how I would react. I could see that in the end she understood what she did wrong and what would have been the better choice. It almost seemed appropriate timing to have her do something not good to make the point of Easter that much more. As I contemplate her sin, I am going to spend some time reflecting on my own sins, ask for forgiveness and praise God for sending his son, Jesus so my sins could be washed away.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 133

Today is Good Friday and it is good. So many still do not know or understand what happened on good friday. I praise God for giving us his son Jesus and I am delighted to call him My King forever and ever. Our King of Kings is indescribable. There aren't enough words to express all that he is but this video sure inspires. Share it with all that may not know who the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is. May they feel the nudge to seek Him out. Amen.

Psalm 72:11 All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 132

Have you ever made up your own word? I think each of us has at one time or another. It may not become popular and evenutally get in the dictionary but our creative nature makes us want to make up our own words. Last night we were to have left overs for dinner. Faith came down and was directed by Dad to look in the fridge. He jokingingly said you could have the spaghetti. This was because the spaghetti was the noodles and sauce together. She's a plain noodle eater so sauce is a big no-no. She very matter-of-factly says "it's been saucified!" How stinking cute was that! Now this food togetherness issue has been going on since about age 2. We certainly had hoped she would have grown out of it by now but I think she will be like I was, a late bloomer. In any case, when I think of this issue of togetherness with her food, it reminded me of our togetherness with the Lord. Are we trying to control our life and saying hold the sauce? or are we gratefully adding Jesus the sauce of our life to our noodles? How much better spaghetti and life is with Jesus being in it! We have to choose to put on the sauce of Jesus to our naked noodle life each day. Praise God for this silly kind of analgoy that came through the not-so-good issue with my daughter. I pray she will eat the spaghetti with sauce some day but thankfully I know that when it comes to Jesus she is living together with him. How about you? Have you been saucified? Pour Him on.
John 17:26 "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 131

Last night as I prayed with the family in Faith's room as is our custom, Faith interrupted saying can I say something. I had forgot she likes to say her little prayer, "I love you God, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit" "please keep us healthy and safe throughout the night". That is her normal prayer but she added in a very excited way. "and please, please let us have a snow day" and without any hesitation Tristan chimed in with agreement. You never know what you will get with weather here in the Spring so we wouldn't know until the morning. Well God answered their prayers and has given them a snow day. It's not a lot of snow out there but it could accumulate throughout the day so... It is just a joy to see the excitement a snow day brings. What I would give to be back in school and not working?! Well, I will take that joy of theirs and let it seep into my heart even though I have to battle the roads and head to work.
Psalm 4:7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 130

Have you ever had a wonderful Aha moment during a sermon where you see something you didn't see before? That happened to me yesterday at the Church of All Nations when Pastor Mark was talking about the events of Holy week and said how Jesus was declared by Pontius Pilate innocent and because it was custom at the Feast to release a prisoner, he gave the decision to the crowd to release Jesus, the sinless or Barabbas, the murderer. Well, we know what happens, the crowd chooses to set Barabbas free and condemn Jesus to death. Jesus was our sacrificial lamb. He died on the cross and because of that we are set free from our sins. The aha moment came when I realized that Barabas was the first to be set free because of Jesus' death. I was in awe of how well placed all of what happened went. God uses everything for good. Setting this murderer free is a concrete example of how we are set free from our sins because of our belief and acceptance of Jesus. Thank you Lord for that nice tidbit you shared with my open heart yesterday!
Matthew 27:26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 130

I have much to do in preparing for my upcoming workshops at two different churches starting in April and May. It's so wonderful that I have actually gotten to this point. I was talking with my hair stylist yesterday who has contemplated for many years to take her business out of her home and have her own salon. My question to her was, "what are you afraid of?". She fears it will fail and in the end they will loose money. I told her she just has to dream and write it down like I have been instructed to do from my master mind group. Believing you can do it and with God's help it is possible. So, as I am in the final preparations for my first workshops, I am praising God for getting me this far and am going to continue to beleive that it will be gloriously successful.
1Corinthians 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 129

A little bit of wisdom applied can go a long way... My awesome hubbie unexpectedly said lets go out for a drink. Sitting face to face with the man you live with day in and day out just doesn't seem to happen enough. He told me his love tank was at rock bottom. Ouch. But God led him to listen to the audio book by Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages-Men's Edition. It was something I had suggested he read after I had read the books and discovered so much value in them. We had such a great heart-to-heart talk and I learned more about what will make him feel loved. However, I know it is in human nature to forget. Life will start creeping it's way back in and around us and I will end up not speaking his love language which we discovered is totally opposite of mine which is words of affirmation. So, what to do, what to do? My first thought is to create a positive affirmation to read everyday and write a prayer card to have at work. Like this challenge of praising God everyday, I am challenging myself to show my love to my hubbie in ways that will fill up his love tank. Lord, help me to shower my husband with the love he can feel. Amen.
Proverbs 17:24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.