Trust Him with all you have.

Woman intuition can lead you if you don't let your heart get in the way.

So a little while back I was feeling some major attacks.  My husband was seeing a physical therapist and something just took hold of my spirit and ran with it.  I have complete trust in my husband but something in my gut kept insisting that something wasn't right.  It brought me to tears and down on my knees.  I  tried talking about it but my poor husband didn't get it, there was no cause to the effect I was feeling.

Sometimes all you really can do is pray and TRUST.  But when you don't know what to pray it can be hard and you end up with very selfish prayers that aren't really honoring God or your husband in the outcome.  So feeling lost and confused I picked up this prayer book I borrowed from a friend.  The thing I love about it is that several of the prayers are marked.  I prayed over temptations, wisdom, his work, protection of his mind, healing of his body.  All those things along with the scriptures that went with them.  It was funny the first time I did the first prayer I had marked and then the one right before it (or so I thought) because the next time as I turn to the prayer before the card it was a different one and more suited as well.  That happened at least 3 times.

After I started my prayers daily every morning for the most part, a peace came over me that I was so thirsty for.  I know look back and can see how silly that whole thing must have seemed.  But some other things happened as I prayed.  My husband started coming to a marriage group that I had been going to for a few weeks, he listened to scripture with me and even started a couples devotion with me.  Our time together is so awesome that it feels as if we were just married although a lot more tired (3 little ones will do that to you).

If I would have just followed my heart, it would have led to fights and accusations that would have pushed us farther apart and who knows where.  Seeking God and trusting Him with my marriage and my husband, we were able to grow in so much more.  I want to have not just a purposeful life but a very purposeful marriage.  This isn't just someone I live with my someone I choose to spend the rest of my life with, the honor and adore.   This bond needs to grow and strengthen and to do so needs constant attention and work.  How blessed I am by our great Lord and the gifts he has given.

stay out ofthe way

I love my husband so much and it pains me to see him make decisions that are contrary to the way we want to live.  As Paul says I want one thing but I do the other.  Ok, I want to do good but I inherently screw up.  Well I have seen so much growth spiritually in my husband over the years and if there is one thing that is consistent with that growth it's that I stay out if the way.  I pray with, over, and for him but desperately try not to suggest what he needs to do.

Last October he got baptized and instantly I could see the attack that was on him. I tried to insist but he didn't see it and I tried to talk of spiritual matters that he didn't see/feel yet.  So I stopped, it seems that the more I press and event speek of spiritual things the farther he gets. But today he went up for prayer on his own without my suggesting or really understanding what was going on.  He was asking for prayer over his spiritual dedication.

Pastor Mike Johnson had been talking about renewing that new Christian "smell" renewing that passion we once had for him.  I didn't even know that that would hit him, all I did was pray the spirit would speak to him, touch him lift him up during our worship time.  Guess it took hold.  He is without a doubt the most amazing man I have or will ever know.  That I am sure of.

please enjoy the view with me

If there was one thing I wish my husband understood about me more it would be how much I long to have him by my side as we sit outside and enjoy, marvel, become refreshed by Gods beauty. I love to sit outside and just breath thefresh air as we look up at the stars or snuggle by a river and watch how lovely it all is. Hopefuly we will get a chance this summer when we go to the beach. I love my man with all my heart and I know we have differeny interests. I just wish he could share this moment with me. He wants me to sit and watch a movie with him well I want him to sit and enjoy the stars with me. Hum someday, guess I'll treasute the moment thatmuch more when it happens.

Bad moods snow ball

Did it ever cross your mind that maybe your spouse is just in a bad mood and it may have nothing at all to do with you.  Oh we can have a funk but rarely do we except it from anybody else.  Sometimes a bad mood can really hurt someone, especially if your 6 months pregnant and really emotional anyways.  Remember those two little words that can mean the world if they are said right, usually with a hug and a kiss.  I'm sorry can speak volumes.  Explaining "I was just in a bad mood, not really sure why, just things weren't going the way I wanted" helps the forgiveness train go a long way.

Always remember to apologies.  Even if it seems that technically you did nothing wrong.  You may have lashed out at someone for something really small because your spouse was unhappy (and you think it's because of you.)  Usually our kids suffer but it can be anyone around us.  Let us remember to have a grateful heart at all times.  And always humble yourself to those you may have walked over in the process of venting your frustrations.

I am blessed

Preparing for the possibilities of some major financial short comings I was discussing with my husband if worst comes to worst. I mentioned that he could always bunk with his brothers and the kids and I could stay with my uncle until we got things back under control.

I was astonished at the response. He stopped playing his game which usually takes quite a feet to do. Looks up at me and shakes his head. I in shock ponder and ask what? I just want some sort of plan for just in case. He comes back and sais that no matter what we will not be separated. Trust in God and all will be ok. He was really offended at the thought that I wouldn't be at his side physically as well as mentally.

That's the sort of devotion that keeps me going, knowing that no matter what happens we'll always have each other through tick and thin, riches and poverty we have each other. Isn't it that sort of commitment that we made when we were married but you don't stop and think about what it would cost you until the time comes and when your unsure of where to turn you can turn to each other.

The Fear of the Lord - John Bevere

Pg 21:
"... and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man. - Romans 1:23
Again e see the one true God's glorious image reduced. This time it is not to a calf but rather to the image of corruptible man. Israel was surrounded by a society that worshiped golden images in the likenesses of animals and insects. The modern-day curch is surrounded by a culture that worships man. ... We have served God in the image we have made."

Wow the idea that we have attempted to make God over in our image and pick and choose what we want from him, so instead of worshiping and believing in our Lord and Savior we're doing such to another entity that we completely made up. Best make sure your understandings and beliefs come straight from the good book.

Love is not enough

Love is not enough. It must be the foundation, the cornerstone - but not the complete structure. It is much too pliable, too yielding.
Bette Davis

We're not ment to understand it all. Acept this and have faith.

We're not ment to understand it all. Acept this and have faith.

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes ... do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rubuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father to the child he delights in.

Slow to Judge

Slow to judge

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner help with homework do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.
Open our hearts, not just to those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

What can I give

What can I give

57 Cents

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it "was too crowded." "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.

Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School. For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there!

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the! turn of the century).

Her unselfish love had paid large dividend. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300 and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained.

Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday Schoolers, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time. In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds" A true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD, CAN DO WITH 57 cents.

this story has been validated by officials at Temple University. Acording to breakthechain.com

http://www.temple.edu/about/temples_founder.html

The Passing

Here and Gone

Crafted so delicately

in Gods hands we're made.

We grow, we shine, we live,

produce our fruit and bear

meaning of life for ourselves

and many others unknown.

We fall flat on our face,

tryin to hard

to be on our own.

Then we stand tall

not on our own feet

and make our father proud.

Our mission is done,

we have complected what

we were made for

we have pollinated and

made smiles on other faces.

Now it's time to go home...

Father is waiting... arms open wide.

Real Soul Mates

Nearly all marriages, even happy ones, are mistakes: in the sense that almost certainly (in a more perfect world, or even with a little more care in this very imperfect one) both partners might be found more suitable mates. But the real soul-mate is the one you are actually married to. -J.R.R Tolkien

Marriage is a covenant

From - Marriage:Questions Women Ask;

Marriage is a covenant relationship - not a contract. By covenant, I mean marriage is a permanent commitment of two people. Genesis 2:24 "A man will leave his father and mother, and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh"

1. Write down all the things you expect from your spouse, why you expedt those things, and think how you would feel if your husband said he expected the same things from you?

2. Write three things that first attracted you to your spouce, three more things that you have come to appreciate during your marriage, List ways you've changed and have you husband do the same then share.

3. Write yourself a contract that pinpoints one area of conflict resolution you need to work on and determine to make a change. For instance, your contract might read, "i hereby resolve never to bring up a problem when we're both tired." Date it and sign it. When you've got one area under control, move on to something else.

4. Make a list of your husbands positeve traits. Remind yourself of them when you get frustrated with his weaknesses.

What if your husband won't go to counseling? Counseling can still be beneficial if a woman goes alonge, tell him saving your marriage is your motivation for going, that you understand he's uncomfortable with it but that your concerned about your marriage, that you want to see if you can find some answers or at least raise some good questions. A counseler can help u see beyond the fog. Christian counselors are preferable because they can draw from the Bible and bring its principles to bear on your particular situation.