Where Feet May Fail

Jul 6, 2014

My favorite song for the past several years has been Oceans (where feet may fail) by Hillsong United. It always strengthens my faith, and I suppose you could call it my life song. I’ve been listening to these words and asking God to strengthen my faith to a point where my trust in Him would have no bounds. Take me to a place that though my feet may fail… my faith will not…

I was listening to it the morning of July 1st. I was listening to it very loudly in my car on my way to work that morning, which I often do – when I saw that my mom called. I decided to let it go to voice mail and that I would call her back when I got to work. I was deep in the heart of worship asking God to allow my faith to go where it never had gone before… Again she called, and again I let it go to voice mail continuing to worship, and sing with the lyrics.

I was literally crying out ~

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior.

Little did I know that fate was about to lead me to a place where my trust in the Lord would have to have no borders. I had to trust Jesus Christ as Peter did in Matthew 14:22-33. When Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” wherever you would call me, “Come”, said Jesus. When Peter saw the immense waves upon him he became terrified and began to sink and cried out, “Jesus save me”…. Jesus saved him and said to him, “Why did you doubt me” ..

I never could have imagined that I would be in a place of deep uncharted waters. A place where Jesus was going to say, “Come”… The third time my mother called I decided I should answer it.

My dad had some toast and milk for breakfast and grabbed a handful of mixed nuts. He began to choke, and lost consciousness despite my mother’s, neighbors and medics help… he never did regain it. The news she shared crushed me. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and screamed out to God on top of my lungs, “Please God, nooo, Please Jesus Jesus rush to the hospital and save him, save him Jesus Jesus”.

He went into a coma with a significant brain injury, and herniation where we had to make the unbearable decision to remove life support.

I’m mere days into this from the time of the phone call, and my faith that I am relying so heavily upon had been made stronger since the several months ago that I began praying this prayer and I absolutely feel that I am in the presence of my Savior. I am walking on Holy ground, and its a humbling place to be.

My pastor always said, that we will go through rocky times. Up until now, my life has been pretty care free. I’ve lost a few aunts and uncles and grandparents, but loosing a parent is something new and terrifying. Just last Sunday, June 29th my pastor talked about “Getting out of the Boat”… making your faith so strong that you would get out of the boat even though it may not make sense or be comfortable. Though I didn’t know it at the time… two days later I was going to be getting out of the boat.

During the time of his coma we didn’t know if he was already with Jesus, or still here, but we knew that his soul was still alive. I prayed that God would lead him safely home and that his trust in God would help him get there.

My dad meant everything to me. I was born on his birthday and always felt very special because of that, like I was his ultimate present. I know that he loved my siblings as much as me, but I always did feel so special to my dad. We shared so many of the same passions, and often had deep philosophical conversations, and could talk matters of faith for hours. My dad was a man of deep faith, and though he was humble when I told this to him on Fathers Day this year, he really did try to imitate Christ the Father as he was a Father. He was just, but just as he was fair in all things, he was mightily merciful. He was playful, and he was strong. So many people have asked me how I am. I can honestly say… I don’t really know. I’m in a real different place right now and am feeling such a flurry of emotion that I don’t know. Everything is so bitterly raw right now. I am in a haze, and I know once it lifts, and the people go away, I will be able to feel much more than I do right now.

I hope you continue to follow my journey as I go through these emotions, and if you are in a place that is on similar ground I hope you find some encouragement here.

The outpouring of support we have received has been breathtaking. I always knew philosophically that people would rally around you when tragedy struck, but the outpouring of support we’ve received has been so incalculable its taken my breath away and has made me feel loved beyond measure. If anyone wonders if they should send a message, or comment on Facebook, or show up to visitation or the funeral – please yes do… it means the world that you think enough about my siblings, and mother enough to send us a note or come and show support.

The past few days have been a blur with funeral plans. We feel like we’re planning a wedding on five days notice, and I am sure that at the end of it we will be exhausted, and left alone with memories that will sink in and sting. Though I have hardly gotten any sleep since last Monday night because of the sheer whirlwind of emotions, planning, and shock of it all I know that next week reality is going to sink in. I’m scared of where that place is going to bring me, but I know that Jesus draws near to the broken hearted, and gives strength the the weary. Isaiah 40:29-31.

He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

My feet find themselves on ground where they’re apt to fail. But through my faith in Jesus Christ my Lord may my faith grow stronger in the presence of my savior, and may the Lord of all healing, and hope carry me through this.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
The outpouring of support we have received has been breathtaking.

Mowing the Lawn

Jun 20, 2014

For the record… this photo is not me! I have a gasoline push mower, and technically a rider although it needs new tires. Just this week I did push my mower in a polka-dot dress and cowboy boots, so its not that far fetched that this could be me, but I digress.

This has absolutely got to be my favorite thing to do, and no… I’m not even kidding! When I mow the lawn I am completely alone with my thoughts, and it allows me time for the best thinking! I think about faith, politics, relationships, and anything really that is on my mind. For some people its running, or biking, but for me… its mowing the lawn. Although I am technically ” a runner” I now rarely run, and prefer gardening, yard work and “farming” tasks to running.

Just this past week I had to digest the fact that one of my favorite co-workers is leaving to pursue other dreams, and that one of my closest neighbors is facing yet another family tragedy. I am normally quick to react but lately I have been taking time to digest certain events, and that time is during my weekly to bi-weekly lawn mowings is so precious to my soul!

I never understood runners and their “I need to run to think” shpleel that they quote off all the time, and perhaps that’s just because I am an irregular runner, or perhaps its because I can hardly breathe when I’m running, and all I can think about is, “How much longer do I have left to run?”, or “I hate this song why is it on my “favorite running playlist?” or “My side aches”… Not to say that I don’t run, or don’t like it sometimes, but with mowing, its different. I can think, and think and think!

But now I understand them! It is my time alone with God. I lean into this time like I need air to breathe. I know some people “get by” without God, but I honestly don’t know how. I’m sorry if i’ve offended half of my followers, but I just don’t understand how anybody gets through life without Him?

Exodus 15:2

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

1 Chronicles 16:11

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

What is your “running” or “biking” or “mowing the lawn? Where do you retire from the business of life and spend time with God?

After a good session alone with my thoughts I feel like I am ready to tackle anything set before me, handle any circumstance, or be the friend that a loved one needs me to be… so what is it for you? For me…. its mowing.

Be her friend

Mar 21, 2014

I am terrified. The day that I came home with my brand new baby swaddled tightly from the hospital I was terrified….and I think that it will get easier as my child grows older, but it doesn’t really get easier, it just gets more terrifying. Instead of worrying about our child suddenly forgetting how to breathe in the middle of the night, we are now afraid that our child will be bullied on the playground, choke on food, get kidnapped by the ice cream truck man, get left out of the lunch table crowd, dress too provocatively, or take drugs at a party to be cool and the list just goes on and on and on.

I was too recently reminded of a friend of mine and her families story. Because it is her story I won’t go into too much detail, but her daughters boyfriend attended a party where other kids had this new “cool” synthetic drug.. and he and died tragically because of its effects. I don’t know that boys specific families story or how involved they were in their child’s life, but it makes me terrified that my daughter will want to be cool, and do whatever it takes to be in the “in” crowd.

I wonder how we are supposed to raise our daughters in this world where we can photoshop women’s bodies into unrealistic shapes, while having girls in their twenties make naked music videos while swinging on a giant ball, and having myriad synthetic drugs circulating at high school parties. I used to be terrified of normal things, but now I’m terrified of the friends she might make.

I know i”m jumping into the future… but as history is teaching me, the future is not so far off.

I know I’m about to commit parental sin here, and go against the grain with my opinion and all, but I wanted to explore a new angle in parenting…Everybody knows the old, “I’m not your friend, I’m your parent” slogan… To be really honest, that phrase has always really bothered me to the core for some reason. To me, you’re basically saying to your kid that a friend will let you do whatever you want… that a friend doesn’t have your best interests at heart, and has a selfish agenda of their own… and that a parents suck all of the “fun” out of life.

Now please do not mistake what I am trying to say here… a parent that lets their child do whatever they want because they are too tired to deal with poor behavior or wants to gain favor with their child is not what I am getting at. I am not giving parents carte blanche to give up at being a parent, but rather to encourage them to be a parent AND a friend. Most importantly to model what friendship behavior is all about.The last thing you want is rules that aren’t enforced, boundaries that are broken, and kids that are running wild right? But to continually tell our sons and and daughters, “I’m not your friend, i’m your parent” sends a broken message.

If we continuously teach our kids that you’re “Not their friend” (at least not between the ages of 5-18 then what are we saying about friendships in general?

According to Websters, a Friend is:
: a person who you like and enjoy being with
: a person who helps or supports someone or something

A parent is:
: one that begets or brings forth offspring
: a person who brings up and cares for another

Surely I fit both definitions, so by definition I AM my daughters friend too am I not? It is my absolute goal to teach my very impressionable daughter that friends do not simply let each other do what is popular, but rather a friend is someone to confine in… someone to hold you up when your world is falling apart, and someone to keep you accountable. Proverbs 24:26 says, ” An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.” I challenge us to all to teach our daughters what real friend are…

I’m sure many of you have heard this quote before, and most people view that this is what friends are about….

Proverbs, so full of wisdom teaches in verses 27:17, ” As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”, and Proverbs 18:24 says, ” There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” I think the psalmist David says this so perfectly. There are “friends” who destroy each other, and who don’t ultimately care about your eternal happiness. They want to live in the moment. Be popular… be cool…. sit in jail with you… but real friends stick closer than a brother. They look out for you. Look out for your best interests. A real friend stands up for what is right, and the path that you should go down. Real friends sharpen each other and warn you of dangerous waters… help you get out of sticky situations, and lead you towards your ideals… not away from them.

My point is – a friend is someone to hold each other up. A companion in life. I do not want to teach my child that her friends can lead her down a path that is away from how I’ve brought her up… but instead to find friends that will support her upbringing. I want to teach my daughter that friends are not the ones who lead you away from your morals, and ideals but that they support you and your best interests. That friendship (especially between women) is not ultimately about competition, but parallel lives… that we should be standing up for one another, and supporting one another.

I know many people will say, “haha good luck with this”, but really… I encourage you to look deep about what we are teaching our children about friendship. As mothers, aren’t we the ones who are to model female behavior to our daughters? Let us stand up and show our daughters what female friendship is all about. That it is about being strong in our faith, and our ideals, even if it isn’t always popular. Standing up for what you believe in, and not giving a damn about what other people think of you. Because the only opinion that is worth anything… is that of our heavenly father.

My daughter is young, and I am offering my opinion blind… as I do not have a tween or a teen going through the emotional baggage of that timeline in our lives, but I strongly feel that we as parents are their early role model. In many cases, like it or not, we ARE their friend… so why do we have to officially wait until our children are in their twenties and thirties to be “their friend” and model good friendship behavior… Lets be their parent and their friend now… while it matters most.

When your child doesn’t want to go to church….

Feb 22, 2014

Firstly, welcome to my new segmented blogging. This first “episode” is called Standing on Grace. I believe that God has lavished upon all of us the highest form of grace imaginable to man. Therefore as I live today I “Stand on Grace’….

For my post today….

Its not that my daughter doesn’t really want to go to church in general, but she only wants to go to a certain church…

About 8 years ago I “converted” from Catholicism to a more biblical christian approach. Really you could say that this started in the winter of 2002 when I was in Okinawa Japan serving in the United States Navy and began questioning everything. I spoke with our chaplain, and he very unbiasedly gave me an overview of the various denominations of Christianity. Today I guess I could consider myself Baptist… I was married by a retired Catholic priest, and my husband and I baptized our daughter Catholic/Christian, but about eight years ago I completely left the catholic church and began attending the largest church in Minnesota.

My husband is either agnostic or atheist. Sometimes he goes between the two… flat out saying there is no God, to saying he doesn’t really know. I honestly think he’s more apathetic than anything to matters of faith. Not wanting to put in any time to learning etc, or caring in general about doctrine. Conversely to this – he is very very supportive of allowing me to raise our daughter with a Christian upbringing.

After I quit going to the local catholic church I started out going to the largest church in Minnesota, and one of the largest in the country. They have absolutely phenomenal messages, worship music and kids programming, but because of its HUGE size [read: approximately 20-30 THOUSAND attendees] there were always pleas to “move to Saturdays”, and it could literally take 30-45 minutes just to get out of the church parking lot after a service. Because of this I started looking at other churches…

So last spring around the beginning of Lent I started looking for other churches for my daughter and I to attend. We tried out a few before settling on a wonderful church near our home. I quickly got involved with the community there with their amazing “House Groups”, and serving putting up the street signs…. but I noticed that more often than not my daughter did not want to come to church with me. She was always so excited to attend church, but since attending this new church for some reason she didn’t want to tell me about what she learned, or flat out didn’t want to go…. and the last time we went there I got called out of worship service because she was “sick”… but I don’t really think she was…

Since then, she just refuses to go to that church….

One weekend we were driving past our old church and she begged and pleaded for us to attend. It was a Saturday night, and they do have Saturday evening services, so we went. She was re-hooked, and excited about church again. Immediately wanting to memorize her, “bible memory verse” and telling me all about what she had learned.

So what am I to do?

Here I have this amazing [smaller] church that I adore, and that I am involved with serving, and in their community…. yet my child refuses to go… and yet she WANTS to go to this other completely amazing other church that “I found” inconvenient……?

Whenever I feel myself faced with a difficult decision I think its wise to look to the bible and see what God has to say. I found these:

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. Mark 9:42

The bible is clear that not training her up is not an option… so for now I’ve resolved to taking my daughter to the church she wants to go to, and listening to my “new” beloved church on podcast, and still staying involved with serving and community. A few times my daughter has said to me that she doesn’t want to go to any church, but my wonderful husband has told her that she isn’t old enough to make that decision yet. I’m so grateful to him for standing up for my faith and my upbringing of my daughter to the christian faith even though he doesn’t believe in it….

How easy would it be for him as an agnostic/atheist/apatheticist to say, “yeah church is dumb, you can stay home”… but he doesn’t. Although he doesn’t carry the same beliefs as I do, he still remains a wonderful spiritual leader in our home. I’m so thankful to God for him, and for his willingness to allow me to raise our daughter as a Christian. I think its so important for the father to be the spiritual leader in the home, and while my husband doesn’t share my Faith yet… I’m so grateful to God that he supports me.

Next stop on my journey

Jan 15, 2014

I am currently on a journey of spending some good time in the Psalms and Proverbs. I am using a plan from the You Version app on my phone to help me stay on track. You read through the psalms twice, and proverbs 12 times over the course of the next year.

I’m currently on Proverbs & Psalms 13. Since starting just 13 days ago I have found myself in deeper worship, which is usually in my car to and from work, because it is my time by myself, and what better way to make use of an otherwise hour plus lousy commute.

One song I have been listening to on repeat is Holy (Wedding Day) by City Harmonic. This song makes me want to lay down in green pastures, stare up at a blue sky and sing praise to God, and thank Him for all he has done for me. How I have so much to be joyful about, and thankful for. I hope you too have a special and Holy moment as you listen too.

Another song I listen to on repeat is called Wake by Hillsong Young & Free. When I listen to this song I basically have a rave going on in my car. Shouts of praise can probably be heard by the cars next to me. (perhaps that’s the point?) Who knew there was such thing as a Christian rave – live with glowsticks & beach balls! Who else wants to go to a Y&F concert?

Lastly, I will like to close with my favorite verses so far of Psalms & Proverbs 1-13.

Psalms
Oh what can I say about the Psalms, but that it may just be the most uplifting book in all of the bible. I want to touch on so many points, but for the sake of brevity I will leave you with this, my favorite verses so far, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalms 9:1-2 (ESV)

Proverbs
I started listing out every single Proverb verse I had highlighted, but pretty soon this blog post was hundreds and hundreds of words, and I realized i would have had to copy down nearly all of Proverbs 1-13. To make it succinct Proverbs 4:20-22 sums up what I’ve gotten so far out of it, “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” (NLT)

Peace and Solitude

Dec 29, 2013

The peaceful solitude is perhaps what ultimately drives me to love Cross Country Skiing so much. That, and I’m borderline obsessed with winter! The fresh smell of crisp winter air, and the crunching of snow puts a smile on my face. Maybe its because I was born in the winter time?

We’ve been fortunate this winter to receive an abundance of snow fall to get out and enjoy the trails. The only downfall is that its been very cold so far! Temps have been flirting generally between zero and 15 degrees, but this past Friday and yesterday we were blessed with highs in the 30s and low 40s, so I took advantage!

Friday afternoon I secured my MN Ski pass for the season and headed out with my mom to some nearby trails. Going on a tight downhill we both took a small spill, but other than that we stayed sure footed, and went about 3 or so miles. The temps were in the high 30s so we had minimal layers on. It was so wonderful to catch up and spend time with my mom.

Saturday I woke up and headed to the local trails solo. Despite the gorgeous 38 degree weather, the trails were not very crowded (as indicated in the photo above). In the more open areas I worked on diagonal stride technique and double polling with a kick. I’m not ready for the Birkibener Classic anytime soon, but its a nice activity that gets me outside, out of the gym, and out of the house (most importantly). Once I got to the back wooded area I put on some of my favorite christian music and drank in all of Gods abundant beauty.

Being able to be in full peace and solitude in the woods was much needed especially this time of year. Time away from the hustle and bustle of the season, the endless to do lists, and the re-organizing of the house. It was more than a great chance to clear my mind and become re-calibrated. I ended up going 5.5 miles and woke up today barely able to walk! (It “hurts” so good though!)

If it wasn’t for the sub zero temperatures today (20 below wind-chill) I probably would have been out there again today, but it looks like I probably won’t ski until next Saturday – especially since I go back to work on Thursday.

(the next 5 hours)

(the next 7 days)

Other than that – as you can tell I have a brand new blog! Its finally a collaboration between my 3 or 4 separate blogs all into one!

(Yay to me for finally getting E-organized. I was becoming an e-horder – eek)

Check under Categories on the right side menu to look up a certain topic. Enjoy!

Ezra

Nov 19, 2013

My co-worker and I successfully sojourned through Ephesians, James, 1 Peter and 2 Peter. I have so enjoyed our time gleaning such wisdom from these books, and application to our lives. Every word we read had such direct application for the season that we were in, it was almost unbelievable. God is very present right now.

We decided to take a break from the NT, and go old school. Old Testament that is. Where to go? We got a ticket to Ezra and have decided to settle in to a little history.

Ezra starts out right at a time where the Jews were finally able to return home, and to rebuild the temple.

Chapter 2 is jam packed with names and tribal numbers. I think its really easy to skim over this section, and not take anything from it. But I just think that God cares about each one of his people to list them in His book. God cares about each and every one of us.

Ezra caries on talking about rebuilding the temple. To be honest this part was like reading a hebrew textbook on how to rebuild a temple, and the faithfulness of the people who began to worship before the temple was even finished. Towards the very end of Chapter 7 to the end Ezra speaks directly to us.

In chapter 8 verse 15 Ezra says, “I assembled the exiles at the Ahava Canal, and we camped there for three days while I went over this lists of the people and the priests who had arrived. I found that not one Levite had volunteered to come along.” (NLT)- How easy is it for us to simply ignore a calling. God had called us all for a special purpose. Do I respond to the call, or do I feel content sitting on the sidelines?

God is working in my life renovating it and rebuilding me as a new creation. The re-build doesn’t just happen in one day, or even a month, but takes years of purposeful building.

In chapters 9 & 10 we see the sin that crept into Israel. Men and even priests were marrying pagan women, and they were asked to send their wives and children born of these relationships away. The reason for it was so that no pagan children would inherit the land of Israel. In today’s world we cant imagine such things especially in inter-marriages.

As someone who is married to a non-christian I am grateful for what the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:13-14, 16, “If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?” (ESV)

I love God patience. “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness built is patient toward you, not wishing that an should perish but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV). Perhaps these verses don’t go together at all, but this is what I thought of when I read them.

I’m curious for those of you who’ve read Ezra. In general, what do you think about this chapter?

The Great I Am

Nov 3, 2013

Have you ever legitimately considered what it will be like to stand before the Great I Am?

There aren’t even words to type, yet formulate in my head.

All I can picture is this completely amazing throne with God on it, Jesus and the Holy spirit on either side.

The four creatures and 24 elders in a circle around him

and then all of the angels

and then all of us.

Singing – “Holy, Holy, Holy. Is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Have you ever been to a rock concert… standing room only, and you’re trying your darndest to see the singer up on stage… but all you can rely on is the side screens, if the venue even has that?

I don’t think that’s how its going to be in heaven.

I think we will all be as close to him as we want to be. All of us. There will be no straining of necks, or relying on side screens.

I’ve been thinking about the identity of God lately. What I do know of him, is that He is Love. He Is Patient as 2 Peter v. 9 teaches us.

Play some worship music today/tonight. Let the power of the Great I Am just permeate your soul.

He has mine tonight!

rE-Ignite – At it again

Oct 14, 2013

I’ve been seriously lacking in the consistency strength that my “Strengths Finders 2.0” says is one of my top strengths in the blogging department. Tonight at House Groups [through my church] we filled out Personal Renovation Plans which has you put into writing your goals throughout the year. My goal is to stay in the word, and to reignite my blogging which I feel takes what i’ve read to a deeper level. So here I am to rE-Ignite.

For the past few weeks my co-worker and I have been on this amazing journey through parts of the new testament. We decided that we need to get in the word regularly and keep each other accountable through Google Hangouts, and have been hosting our own bible study together, and prayer. I can tell you that these past few weeks have been absolutely MIND BLOWING. The kind of work that has been stirring up is only explainable with the words Holy Spirit in the same sentence.

We started out in Ephesians which each chapter was laden with the words we absolutely needed to hear on those particular days such as Eph 1:7-10, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven, and things on earth.” (emphasis mine).

Last Saturday night (October 5th) her and I were out hanging a sign for the marathon and we decided while literally on our knees hanging a sign on a bridge on a busy road in Minneapolis/St. Paul to pray over the marathon which was going to take place the next day. We prayed for God to place a blanket of protection over the marathon. Over the runners, the spectators, race officials and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We closed out the prayer asking God to use us in a very apparent way, and to make it known to others that we are working for the glory of His name. Little did I know that the entire prayer was about to come true.

While biking in the “back of the pack” on the course the next morning, I ran (figuratively) into this older gentleman adorned with an adorable white beard, winter hat with pom pom, and running in short sleeves, and shorts. He was convinced he was NOT going to make the cut off. (six hour course limit). When he first had told me this, we were at least a mile or two ahead of the sweep bus, so I knew he had it in him to finish in time. I checked on some volunteers in the course intersections, and checked on runners as well. I kept coming back to this man however as if a magnet was drawing me near to him I had to make sure that he finished, and encourage him to do so. I rode with him and paced him on my bike over the last two miles of the marathon. I found out he had done them all but once, and that THIS was marking his very last race.

Well, he finished, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Tears of joy were falling down my face, and it was such an amazing time. Afterwards I went up to him and congratulated him.

The next day he wrote to our marketing manager to tell us that an Angel [he named me] helped him finish the race. That he knew he could not finish in the time and that his pace was around 14:30 minute miles, but that he would go out to the marathon just for the Glory of God. Everything that I had prayed for he had written in this e-mail. It was so obvious that it was God I wrote to him to tell him that I was a believer, and I prayed the night before – for this moment.

Be open to God. Be open to him wanting to reveal something to you. Be open to bold prayers of putting yourself out there. Let your evening prayer, or morning prayer be, “God, use me tomorrow/today in anyway that you see fit, and let it be known to others that I am working for the Glory of your name. Let me be your instrument of comfort and healing, and encouragement to this broken world, and let me be open to what you have in store for me.”.

My prayer is that THIS is everyone’s prayer this week!

SOAP

Aug 22, 2013

Noo! We’re not talking about that kind of soap.

I follow this wonderful blog and social media package called Good Morning Girls. Today’s post was about using the SOAP method. Scripture, Observation, Application & Prayer.

I’ve fallen away from reading scripture every day with the business of summer, but have renewed a commitment with myself to resume blogging, and switching my bible reading time to the morning.

Over the summer i’ve taken on reading the Psalms. Today I’m up to Psalm 5 which gives you a raw confession of how far I am behind. But God reminds us that we can always come back to him! Hopefully this time I will stick around for a while :).

A few verses this morning struck a cord with me:

Psalm 5:1-3, 11-12.

S. O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of Love.

* We can come to God with our requests

* We don’t have to say beautiful, poetic prayers to God, crying out and groaning out to God is beautiful to him.

* Pray to no one but God.

* David is praying in the morning.

* God gives us protection

* God loves

A: I can go to God with anything. I don’t say anything specific, as God knows my heart and I can get raw with God. God alone should have my attention, and anything filling that space will need to be re-prioritized. Try switching my devotion time to the morning for a week and see how it goes. See if i’m not moved with starting out with God instead of social media. God will protect me, and God loves me. This isn’t to say that nothing bad will ever happen, but I can always rest in the comfort of the Eagles Wings.

P: Father, help me to radically change the way I live my life for you. Help prompt me to go to bed earlier so that I can spend even more time with you in the morning. Thank you for all that you do, and for giving us another day. Let me be your hands and feet today and live my life for you.

Amen.