Knees to the Floor

Put your sweet self under God.  Entirely.

Knees to the floor.

Eyes to the skies.

Hands open wide.

The devil flees from us because God is standing right there over us every time we submit.

~Beth Moore

James: Mercy Triumphs

A Prayer Life that Alludes

"Today He sits on the throne of His Majesty on high, and He holds out to us the sceptre of His power.  Shall we touch it and tell Him our desires?  He bids us take of His treasures.  He yearns to grant us "according to the riches of His glory," that we may "be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man."  He tells us that our strength and our fruitfulness depend upon our prayers.  He reminds us that our very joy depends upon answered prayer.


And yet we allow the devil to persuade us to neglect prayer! He makes us believe that we can do more by our own efforts than by our prayers--by our intercourse with men than by our intercession with God."


"Shall we begin today to be (wo)men of prayer, if we have never done so before?  Let us not put it off till a more convenient season.  God wants me to pray.  The dear Savior wants me to pray.  He needs my prayers.  So much--in fact, everything--depends upon prayer.  How dare we hold back?" 


"Do we spend ten minutes a day in prayer? Do we consider it important enough for that? Ten minutes a day on our knees in prayer--when the Kingdom of Heaven can be had for the asking?  Ten minutes?  It seems a very inadequate portion of our time to spend in taking hold of God!  If God were to answer the words we repeated on our knees this morning should we know it?  Should we recognize the answer?  Do we even remember what we asked for?"


"He does answer.  He has given us His word for it.  He always answers every real prayer of faith."

 The Kneeling Christian, author unknown

Oh Lord Jesus, will you teach us to pray?  Will you give us the unquenchable desire to come before you each and every day and lay our lives down before your Throne, asking for your will be done, seeking your desire, aching as your heart aches?  Father, will you beckon us to your Throne room, kneeling at your feet, soaking in your Radiance, bowing before your Glory.  Show us your heart, Lord, so that our prayers may be in step with the Spirit.  Draw us close, Jesus.  In your name, Amen.

Prayer Helps for the Memory Challenged!

As a mom, do you feel overwhelmed by the ways we should be lifting our children before the Throne of God?

As a wife, do you find yourself frustrated that you haven't covered your husband in prayer?

As a friend, are you embarrassed when you realize you promised a friend you would pray, but you forgot?

me too

I finally gave up trying to remember all that I wanted to pray about and journaling isn't really my style, so I decided that I needed a new system.  A colored coded system was in order!  I found a set of 3x5 index cards in three colors; pink, blue and green.  This would work perfectly for my plan.  All prayers that are for my girls are on the pink cards, prayer for my husband are on green cards, prayers for myself are on blue cards, and prayers for others will be plain white cards.

I then sat down with some of my favorite authors prayer books and copied onto the cards many of those things that I wanted to be more intentional about praying, including scripture that applied to each prayer.  I chose the small cards because I want them to fit in my purse and be portable.  Then when I am out and have a few minutes of down or waiting time, I can take my cards out and say a few prayers in my extra moments of quiet.

I've also kept in my packet, simply kept together with a rubber band, blank white cards so when a friend mentions something they could use prayer over, I can simply write it down, then and there, so I won't forget!

I'm going to be using this same method for things that I want to be praying on my trip to Haiti on December 2-9.  I can easily jot down prayers and have them easily tucked away in my pocket for those moments of waiting.  I'll also be recording some scripture to include in this packet that I can be memorizing and referencing when our team needs encouragement.  

Have you come up with a system that works for you?  Would you share it with us?

When God Says No to Our Dreams

Only a few days after I made the announcement to some friends that I was looking for a part-time job I received an email that an Administrative Assistant position was going to be open in the Outreach department of my church.  I quickly emailed the Director of the department to let him know I was interested.

Over a month, and three interviews later, I was contacted and told that they had chosen someone else for the position.  My heart was broken.

I had prayed

I had fasted

Many friends had prayed

Others had spoken on my behalf

.....but God said no.

Tears were immediate after the phone call, the disappointment running deep.  My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that I couldn't put words to, even for my husband.  He knows the disappointment, and he's patiently waiting for the words to come from within.

Yesterday was a day of reflection, an inventory of my emotions.  

How do we react when God says no to our dreams?  

I've wanted to work for my church for a long time now.  It is an amazing place with God sized dreams.  The Holy Spirit is alive within and I want to be a part of that movement!  Do I allow myself to be mad at God?  Do I build up resentment for those I interviewed with?  Do I quit going to that church?  Do I hide whenever I encounter the staff that know I had interviewed for the position?

What would it say of my faith if I rebelled

against my God

because 

He. 

said. 

no.?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

I don't know God's reasons, but I do know that I must trust Him with the answer, even when it is no.   Faith isn't grown only from the yes's and the blessings God bestows, but is also grown from the pain and disappointment in the denials.  

So today

I praise HIM

Because He is the I AM

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11

31 Days of Prayer for our Daughters

I was very excited when I learned that my friends over at the ModSquadMoms Blog are presenting 31 Days of Prayer for our daughters in the month of October.

If you are not familiar with the Mod Squad, you definitely need to head over to their blog and catch up.  They do an absolutely fantastic job encouraging mothers of daughters in their journey of motherhood through every phase. You won't find a more sincere group of women than the authors of this blog.

I can't wait to jump in with them praying for our daughters.  It is sure to be an exciting and faith building month of prayer.  Won't you join us?

Joy Overflowing

As I climbed the stairs on my way to kiss my girls goodnight, I could hear their giggling and laughter.  I smiled to myself.  It was a welcome change from the frequent arguments that come during the summer after hours of time together.  This night, they had chosen to have a sleep over in one room.

While coming closer to the door, I stopped and listened as a devotion was being read out loud.  I eavesdropped as the story was read, and my heart swelled with joy.  I couldn't bring myself to move, I was frozen in time.  The reading stopped at the conclusion of the devotion and I heard the words, "let's pray".  My heart skipped a beat.

I couldn't pull myself away from the door, even as I felt guilty for eavesdropping, but it was a situation I had longed to witness.  Words that were music to my soul.  My two youngest girls praying together, on their own, without my begging and pleading.

Tears sprang to my eyes as I realized that through all the hard times of staying consistent with their prayer, devotion and quiet time, God was at work.  I heard them pray for our compassion child, for our family, for their friends, for those affected by earthquakes in Haiti and Japan.  Yes, my heart soared.

Moms, God will take your diligence and turn it into something beautiful.  Keep putting one foot in front of the other, day by day, and your children will learn and follow.

I'm praising God today that he allowed me to witness this significant victory!

God Listens

As I have read through the Old Testament through the Bible in 90 Days program, one thing that continues to stand out is that God is in the details.  He gives very specific instructions to the Israelites, all the way down to measurements and weights.  He doesn't leave anything to chance.

Wednesday night my daughter K was in a panic because she couldn't find her Young Authors book from last year that she needed to take to school for an example to show.  We both knew that it was in a white copy paper box that had recently come out of the toy room, but no one remembered moving it or storing it.  We searched EVERYWHERE.  Then when Husband got home, he searched EVERYWHERE again.  Needless to say, we were beyond frustrated.

I decided that the best solution was to pray.  God knows everything, so of course He knew exactly where this book was in our house.  Now some would find this silly.  They wouldn't pray about such a small thing, thinking that God is busy taking care of wars and famine and disease.  Yes I agree, He is a busy God, but that doesn't mean He doesn't hear my cry for help, regardless of what I need help with.  So I went up to my room, closed the door and prayed.  I acknowledged that He knew exactly where it was and that He is a God of details, big and small.  I asked Him to bring to my mind where this box was in our house.  I wasn't even done praying when the image of my daughter's closet and a large stack of clothes came to my mind.  I had already searched the closet and commented to her that there was a pile of clothes that she hadn't been wearing.  So I got my flashlight and went back to her closet-by now it was 10:30 pm and she was long asleep.  I dug through that pile of clothes and there buried underneath was the box we were searching for.  The book was inside.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER.  Never doubt it.  Every word uttered to His ear is heard.  When you pray, the God of the Universe listens.

Celebrating the Good, Grieving the Sad

Much of the joy of blogging, Facebook and Twitter is found in the relationships we build with new friends across hundreds of miles.  We invite them into our lives, and we invest in theirs as well.  Sometimes we are even lucky enough to meet in the flesh and offer hugs of greetings, with smiles of affirmation and friendship.  The good always keeps us coming back for more encouragement.

But joy is a one sided part of these relationships, as these are real people we are investing in, even if only through the written word.  And sometimes the other side of joy is sorrow.  My heart has been heavy of late with the news of so many struggling with illness, house fires, and the loss of loved ones.  Even though in many cases I haven't met these friends, the hurt for them is very real.

The one thing that sets us apart from all others as a body of Believers is our ability to make a difference across hundreds of miles by the uplifting of prayers for our friends.

Today it is on my heart to share a few names of friends who could really use your prayers and continued encouragement.  They don't know I am posting this today, but if you know them, feel free to stop by their blog or give them a shout out on Twitter of love and encouragement.  If you have the time, I will be setting time aside this evening at 9:30 pm Central time to pray over these friends and I invite you to join me.  I would love many voices to be assaulting heaven with the names of these friends.  May God be glorified through their struggles.

Penny:  She recently lost her husband in a hunting accident.  They have two small children.
Stephanie:  Yesterday her family experienced a house fire.  Damages are still pending.  They have four children.
Chele: Recently had surgery for Thyroid Cancer and is awaiting further treatment.  Her husband has been unemployed for some time and finances are slim.  They have four children.
Jess:  Is awaiting the birth of her second child, but is over a week late and very uncomfortable.
Joanne: Suffered a stroke yesterday morning that is requiring surgery today to relieve pressure on her brain.  She has two children.

My Precious Jesus, would you cover these beautiful women with your unfailing love today.  Please bring peace to their families as they endure these hardships.  May your name be glorified through their circumstances.  Would you provide healing to each and everyone one of them.  We lift them into your glorious hands.  Amen.

Do you have a burden upon your heart that we can uplift in prayer?  I'd be happy to add you to this list and pray for you this evening as well.  Feel free to leave a request in the comments.

Let Go and Let God-an update

Chele had an appointment Thursday morning for a second opinion, and this doctor believes they can remove the thyroid and it may not turn out to be cancerous.  After talking with Chele, I am sure God is directing each and every step of this journey she is on.  I hope you will continue to pray for her, as her surgery has been rescheduled for November 30th.

Thank you so much to all her friends who have stopped in here to leave encouraging comments and prayers!  God is moving!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 (from Tuesday)
Friday my dear online, in real life, and blogging friend Chele from A Bona Fide Life and Gather Inspirit is heading into surgery for thyroid cancer.

Chele is a mother of four wonderful blessings and  wife to Chasen.  I cannot imagine the fear that has tried so hard to grip and terrify this family while they reconcile this illness.

God is mysterious in his ways, and he clearly tells us in scripture that His ways are not our ways.  Because if that were true, there certainly would not be a life-altering illness like cancer.

The hardest thing we can do is open our hands to the Father and place our cares and loved ones into His hands.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23

So I place Chele into the hands that made her.  I uplift her family as they watch and wait for her healing.  I pray for those who are witnessing Chele's faith, that they may turn to her God and know him as their Savior.

Would you be praying with me?  Can we start a prayer chain all around the world for Chele?  If you are willing to pray for Chele and her family over the next two weeks, would you link up here and offer Chele your encouragement?  Just let us know you are praying!

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5:16


"Each prayer sets something powerful in motion."
Stormie Omartian

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Prayer

PRAYER

it is a direct connection with God

no waiting

always available

to the rich

and to the poor

it never goes out of season

and never expires

it is available to the rich

and to the poor

it sets something powerful in motion

it is free to all

with no discrimination

it is a call to Heaven

where God waits

and 

listens

for your voice

 

Just Give Me Jesus

JESUS

he is everything

As I sit alone in my home on a Saturday night while the family is out, completely free to do anything I wish, I am pondering why spending time with Jesus isn’t at the top of my list. Shouldn’t it be? What keeps me from running to my prayer chair at this quiet hour to gather in His presence and soak him in? Is it my never ending to-do list? Is it my desire to just sit and relax? Selfishness. He is the culprit. I want to control my time and use it in my way. But as I glance at the empty chair in the corner, I hear him calling me. I see him waiting, ever so patiently, for me to join him there in sweet quiet and worship, reverence and awe. He waits.

If I obey his tender calling, I will be blessed beyond measure. My family depends on it. Being in his presence brings peace beyond understanding. My cup of patience will again be filled to overflowing. My heart will be refilled with grace. My soul will return to a place of quiet beauty. After all, being in the Master’s presence is our heavenly reward. We are constantly looking for his return so that we can abide once again with him for eternity. But seeking him now, in the middle of my world, seems an interruption to my “me” time.

But yet, my heart’s deepest desire is to know Him. How can I know Him if I am so selfish with my time that I won’t spend these few precious quiet hours with him? How can I feel his presence if I never slow down long enough to enter into that presence. He waits. As a parent with open arms calling to a child, He calls to me, waiting for me to drop everything I am doing and run into his arms. Run to the loving safety that only He can provide. I must choose to either succumb to the desires of my flesh, or obey the sweet invitation from my Savior.

His promise is sure

His life is matchless

His goodness is limitless

His mercy is enough

His grace is sufficient

His burden is light

His yolk is easy

He is indestructible

He is inescapable

He is irresistible

He is invincible

He is incomprehensible

He is irrefutable

I can’t get him out of my mind

I can’t get him out of my heart

I can’t outlive him

I can’t live without him

The Pharisees hated him but couldn’t stop him

Satan tried to tempt him

The Romans crucified him but couldn’t take his life

Death couldn’t handle him

And the grave couldn’t hold him*

just give me Jesus

*Source: Anne Graham Lotz

I Prayed for this Child

"I prayed for this child" I Samuel 1:27 

I read a great devotion yesterday morning that really struck a cord with me.  I  related to Hannah's story in I Samuel as she prayed  for a child.  The Lord blessed her with Samuel.  Hannah's prayer of praise in chapter 2 is well known for it's beauty and glory to God for her answered prayer.

Before K was born, Husband and I had experienced 2 miscarriages. We were distraught, feeling as though we may not be able to have children together. We prayed fervently for a baby, and once I became pregnant again, we prayed constantly that nothing would be added or subtracted from her development.

When she was born, on her right hand was a small skin tag that the doctors thought could possibly have been an extra finger trying to grow. When she opened her little hand, she was holding a blood sack about the size of a pea. The doctors were quite astonished, but assured us that it could all easily be removed.

Husband and I immediately smiled at one another, because we knew it was the answer to months of prayer. To this day, K has a small bump on the outside of her pinky finger that reminds us of God's answer to our prayers.

Blessings that come to us through answered prayer should be doubly honored and praised, as it is a testament to our faith and to our God.

What answered prayer are you celebrating today?

Bring the Children to Me

Sometimes it feels like a mother's job is to worry over her children.  But Jesus wants us to bring them to Him.  

"Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  

"And he took the children in his arms, 

put his hands on them and blessed them." 

Mark 10:14,16

Charles Spurgeon put it this way, "We must never cease to pray until they cease to breathe.  No situation is hopeless while Jesus lives."

My heart was so encouraged by these words today.

Hello Mornings!

At the beginning of the summer, I had written a post about getting up early  to be more consistent with my quiet times with the Lord.  My friend Michelle over at So I Married A Mennonite has trouble getting up in the morning too, as neither one of us are early birds.  We had discussed it a few times and tried to encourage each other.  Recently Michelle discovered a great website, Inspired to Action, that sets up some terrific action plans to help you be successful at maximizing your mornings.  Michelle started a great challenge a couple weeks ago, Hello Mornings!  It is to help us all come together to encourage each other on this journey of getting up early and getting work done!


I was on vacation the first week of the challenge, so I can say I got up early most days because we were on the run all week!  Then it took me a few days to recover...whew!


I must say I have been pleased with my progress so far throughout the summer.  I have been successfully getting up between 7:30-8:00, which I know isn't early for most people, but it is still earlier than most of my family, so it worked!  I have enjoyed many quiet mornings on my back patio, and some mornings I have invited my furry friend, McKinley on a walk while I prayed in high gear!


I just selected some great songs to incorporate into my morning quiet for worship, so I am really excited about that.  The exercise, on the other hand, might be more of a challenge!  Does anyone else agree it is really hard to get motivated to go out and exercise when the humidity is near 99% and the temp is 95 degrees?  I love summer, but this month has been brutal!


I haven't selected my study for the year, but I have a couple here at home that I can choose from.  I just need a few minutes to look over each one to decide what looks good right now.


There is still time to join the challenge! Be sure to check out all the details over at Michelle's blog!

Faith Filled Family

Today is my first day of guest posting twice a month over at The Tuckers Take Tennessee.  I hope you will click on over to join us as we discuss teaching our children to pray.

Praying for Prodigals

The term "prodigal" can mean many things to people.  It is certainly a term that can be defined by personal experiences.  I know for many, it is a gut wrenching experience through which the whole family is exposed to drugs and alcohol or other life-altering behaviors.  But for others, their prodigal may simply be that one child in the family who has left everything their parents have taught them behind, and walked away from God.

I am experiencing the pain of watching my oldest find her own way.  I always thought as a Mom that I could teach her the way so that she wouldn't have to face the pain of making her own mistakes and finding her own path.  But I was wrong.  She is nearly an adult now, and my instruction and encouragement is but a mere whisper compared to the loud voice of the society around her.  She has always been and continues to be a very responsible and level-headed child.  She hasn't gone off the deep end, by any means.  But my heart hurts because she has turned her back on her God and her Savior.

It is difficult for this Mother to not blame herself.  What could I have done differently?  Where did I go wrong?  Maybe I didn't spend enough time teaching her and discipling her.  Maybe I haven't prayed hard enough or long enough for her.

But these thoughts would be from a woman trying to hold on.  These are my thoughts when I forget that she is God's child, not mine.  These are thoughts that carry me away when I want to have control over the situation.  These are thoughts that can eat me alive and Satan uses to accuse.  These are my thoughts, a Mother, grieving that her oldest child can't or won't find her way back to her Savior.  And I weep for all that she is missing.  I grieve that God is longing to hold her again in his arms and take it all away. 

And I pray

Prayers for my prodigal

Scripture for any prodigal

• Turn to the Lord God with all her heart & soul
• Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it - Romans 34:14
• God, rescue her and deliver her in your righteousness, turn your ear to her and save her - Psalm 71:2
• Turn her heart toward God's statutes and not toward selfish gain - Psalm 119:36
• See, hear, understand, turn and be healed
• Sweep away her offenses, that she may return to God redeemed - Isaiah 44:22
• She is God's precious child
• God will rescue her as a lamb who has strayed from the flock
• She would long for her relationship with God to be restored
• Open her eyes to God's truth
• Receive God's love and forgiveness
• Take back what the enemy has stolen

 And I lift her before the Throne of the Almighty God.  She is His. 

Answered Prayer

Hallelujah, Grace like rain

is falling down on me!

Last week I shared here that I wasn't sure how I was going to get to the Relevant Conference because I was having trouble raising enough money to buy my plane ticket and pay for hotel costs.  I've tried many avenues at getting a sponsor with no luck.

Todd Agnew sings the song "Grace Like Rain", and I absolutely love it.  It applies so very well to my life all the time.  God showers me with this grace in so many ways, which I don't deserve.

Last Friday, the day after my post, I received a call from a friend of mine and he needs some extra help at the Graphic Design company where he works and wanted to know if I was interested in being an outside contractor for them.  Well I had to think about it...................not really..............of course, I said yes!  I was blown away by the answer to not just my prayer, but all of yours.

Then my husband came home that same Thursday with a large check from my brother.  Husband had been helping him with some work to a house my brother was flipping.

THANK YOU!  I am so blessed by the prayers you have lifted up on my behalf.  I feel confident that we will be able to put aside the needed money now for my plane ticket and hotel.

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears."

Psalm 34:4

"Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"

Psalm 66:20

=================================================

And another praise for your faithful prayers, we had a fantastic few days at camp.  My 8 year old and I attended First Chance Camp for 3rd graders.  This was their first time at an overnight camp, so we only stayed for one night.  I was a counselor with 6 girls in my group.  Our theme was "In It To Win It", so we talked a lot about our faith walk and finishing the race.

This is my daughter(left) and her best friend.

So thank you again for your prayers for these girls.  We came home exhausted and happy!

Are My Plans Going to Fail? Am I Really Going?

When I discovered the Relevant Conference, I was so very excited.  I had just begun to really spend time developing my blog and was trying very hard to make connections with other bloggers.  I quite literally stumbled into a Twitter party that was all about going to Relevant.  I planned right away to talk to my husband about going, and I purchased a ticket.  I didn't know how I would pay for the rest of the trip, but I began planning to raise money by selling some items on Etsy and doing some graphic design work.

My plans were working, and I had raised the needed money to purchase an airline ticket, twice.  But two different times our household came upon some financial stress and I had to raid my Relevant fund to use it for household expenses. Ugh.

And now as we approach very quickly less than 100 days until the conference, I still do not have the needed money to pay for an airline ticket and hotel and my time is running out.

Would you pray for me?  If God wants me at Relevant, he has all the resources in the world to get me there, and He will provide.  However, if I have misread his intentions, I want to accept His answer with grace, as my disappointment will be heavy not being able to meet so many of you face to face.

Thank you, my dear Sisters in Christ!

Morning Quiet

Several weeks ago I committed to getting up early (for me about 7:30) to spend time reading my bible and concentrating on some very specific prayer.  This is my new quiet place.  A beautiful spot in the mornings on my back patio enjoying the new day with the birds praising with me.

I am so glad that I have stuck with this commitment.  My intent was to create this new habit through the summer when I didn't have to get up quite as early as I do during the school year.  Then once school started in the fall, I wouldn't have a hard time getting up a tad earlier.

I thought the discipline of getting up earlier than everyone else would be hard, so I have been covering it in prayer.  God has been faithful and I am absolutely loving this time with him.  Some mornings I have even woken before the alarm clock!  That is totally a God thing!

Praying for the Future

I can hear wedding bells in the distance.  The gown has been carefully selected, the reception is ready to entertain guests, the honeymoon is longingly awaited.  I am the mother of the bride.  I praise God for the man He has selected to be my daughter's husband.

This is a day in my future.  Having three girls, this scenario is often on my mind.  I wonder, I worry, I pray.  It is especially heavy sometimes because I have been through divorce, and that is something I never want my girls to experience.  So I pray.  Is it too early to pray for the future husbands of my children?  They are 19, 10, and 8.  I don't think so!  Truthfully, I wish I had been praying much longer for the husband of my 19 year old.  What do you pray for someone you've never seen or met?  Someone you know is out there somewhere, even possibly in another part of the world?  I pray that

• he will be a strong man of God
• he is guided by the holy scriptures
• he has a servant's heart
• he will be a good father
• he will be a spiritual leader in his home
• he wil be a provider for his family
• he respects and honors my daughter
• his mother is training him right now in Godliness and character
• he is a man of integrity
• he is shielded from pornography
• he lives a life of purity

And then I trust in my Lord, that He has a plan for my children, and that the faithful heritage that has been passed down to them for several generations will continue through them and their children.

Are you praying for your children's spouse?  What else can I add to my list?