"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

• God never asks anything from us that He didn't already or wouldn't give. That is not is God's character. Our perfect Creator has sacrificed all and therefore it is our purpose in life to do the same. Romans 12:1 tells us to "offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." God wants our everything! Every day He wants us to ask, "What do you want today, Father?! What do I need to give you? What would you have me offer today?" Sometimes He'll respond with, "Nothing! You're putting me first above all! Well done, good and faithful servant!" Sometimes He'll respond with a big, fat, giant list. Oh boy, those are fun days! Sometimes, He'll ask for the one thing that you never thought He'd ask for. You even question Him, as if to say, "Are you sure?" When He asks for these things you wonder, "Why, I don't understand?! I know that you gave me this as a blessing and now you want it back!" Those mornings you cry out in confusion and in part, even defiance because you know that either He has been asking for a while and you haven’t responded or that you already know that you have to give it up, but that this marks the beginning of the battle.

• I am sure that Abraham felt the same way when he was asked to sacrifice his very own precious son, even though God also promised him that Abraham would see his offspring through that precious son. We don’t have any idea of the dialogue that went in inside his head after God asked for such a massive sacrifice. However, the word gives many indications that not only did Abraham put his trust in God but he trusted that God would provide a way out as well. In Genesis 22:5 – 8, we can see that Abraham told his servants to stay put while Abraham and Isaac went on and that both he and Isaac would be back. It goes on to say in verse 8 that when Isaac questioned about the offering, Abraham told Isaac that “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” In Hebrews 11:19, Paul writes that Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead. So, not only can we see that Abraham was a man of faith and trust, but that he was a man of great hope in the Lord and His promises. Abraham didn’t just believe in God – he believed God.

• God is graciously teaching me the value of faith and that faith can only be purified by the testing of it. I am drawing strength from the bible in scriptures like 1Pet. 1:6-7, “. . . though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” and Psalm 66:10 “For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” What an incredible time in my life for the Lord to know my heart and know that I am ready for such trials! What faith in me the Lord must have to consider that I am ready for such a fiery test! I am banking on the promise of 1Cor.10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

• Father, I long for the faith, trust, and hope that Abraham had in you! I long to look to you and you alone in this trial. I believe in what your Word tells me and I know that you are doing a great and mighty work in me and that you promise rich blessings on the other side. Add to my faith, increase it in measure and then add to it goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, Father! I am taking hold of so many promises that your Word teaches me. Renew yourself to me each day as I keep my eyes fixed on you while I run this race! Be with my family and bless them with everything that they need to give you glory and honor. Clothe them each with your righteousness and encourage them with your unending love. We need you Father! All in your Holy and Sweet name we pray. AMEN.

quote of the day . . .

"If it weren't totally unhealthy to be fat, then I would be so fat! "

• ~ Katie Russell

Live each moment like it's your last! When you say good-bye, pretend that it's the last time that you will ever see that person! Here's an excerpt from a poem that I found:

• you never know
• when your last hello will come
• when your last hug will be
• or when you will last see
• those you love
• you never know

check out the rest -

http://hehearsyourcries.blogspot.com/

joy . . .

"The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones."

• - Proverbs 15:30

What was I thinkin'?

Who are these girls? I don't even recognize them! I bet most of you didn't know that I was Pentecostal before I came to know Jesus! Just kidding! But, seriously, what color was my hair? Thank you Lord for saving me from myself. Ah, old pictures crack my crack up!

quote of the day . . .

"You probably can't tell, but I didn't go to preschool."

• - Chad Trost

Well, it seems like forever since I have last blogged. Maybe not forever, but so much has happened that it feels like forever! I feel like I could write, and write, and write so much, but it wouldn't give justice to what God's really doing in my heart and in my life! So, consider that a little disclaimer. Goodness, God is amazing! I mean truely - I am in awe of The Father. He is teaching me so much and I am grateful for the discipline that has been instilled in me to stay teachable and moldable. He is teaching me so much about the Body. I am in love with the concept of His Bride, His glorious Church and how much He gave up for her! I love being a part of the Family and wild horses can't keep me away from my brothers and sisters. I really mean that! My heart has been ripped out of my chest so many times this week from just leaving them that I am not really sure that I should be living and breathing right this very minute. But, God is graciously pouring out His mercy and I'm using every bit of it. Thank you Lord that it doesn't run out and that I get a healthy dose every morning! Well, I have lots more to say, but I will fill you all in a little while later! I'm a busy lady! . . . .

NO EXCUSES!

We can be used by God only when we realize that we are weak without Him.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...

• Noah was a drunk
• Abraham was too old
• Isaac was a daydreamer
• Jacob was a liar
• Leah was ugly
• Joseph was abused
• Moses had a stuttering problem
• Gideon was afraid
• Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
• Rahab was a prostitute
• Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
• David had an affair and was a murderer
• Elijah was suicidal
• Isaiah preached naked
• Jonah ran from God
• Naomi was a widow
• Job went bankrupt
• John the Baptist ate bugs
• Peter denied Christ
• The Disciples fell asleep while praying
• Martha worried about everything
• The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
• Zaccheus was too small
• Paul was too religious
• Timothy had an ulcer
• ...AND Lazarus was dead!

...no more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.

second quote of the day . . .

God responds to faith, not to need!

• - Elise Mullins

quote of the day . . .

CHEMISTRY HEART!

• God's trying to teach me "Chemistry Heart!"
• - Jen Dittmann to Elise Mullins
  
  
  
  
  

The Bike Ride

God is so amazing to give me the blessing of parenting! If you have kids, then you will understand how much they really teach you and if you don’t have kids, then when you do, include learning a teachable spirit in your prayer list. (Actually, that’s a good word for all of us, with or without children.) Anyway, so last Thursday was beautiful outside. It was a clear, bright, and gorgeous day of like 65 degrees. A wonderful breath of fresh air in the middle of this January blah! So, I took Caleb out for a bike ride. He rides and I can get an extra workout walking and running beside him. He always gets excited because he is allowed to tell me where we are going and is no longer confined to the boundaries of driveway. We circle the cul-de-sac and head up the street. We make our way up the hill and stop. Caleb stopped at the top of the hill and looked at me with those big blue eyes and said, “Mommy, will you put your hand on the bar?” Caleb fell once riding his bike and ever since, he hasn’t wanted to risk the bike going too fast and falling again. But, this time I wanted to teach him how to use the brakes and be able to control his speed riding down the hill. So, I told him, “No, Caleb I won’t hold on to your handle bar, but I will show you how to use your brakes to go down the hill.” He said, “Okay.” So, I started walking forward and asked him to keep up with me and told him that I would show him how to use his brakes. Immediately he said, “Mommy, NO! Will you please just put your hand right here?” and pointed to the handle bar. I said, “Caleb, no, I will not hold on to the handle bar. Trust me, I want to show you how to ride down the hill. I’m right here, Honey. I won’t let you fall. I’m not going to leave your side.” He said, “No, I don’t want to go down.” I said, “Caleb, don’t you trust me? Do you really think that I would let you fall?” He said, “No.” Suddenly, this conversation started to sound so familiar. I couldn’t contain it anymore! I started laughing hysterically! Every single word was perfect. Every single thing that Caleb said sounded like everything that I had been telling God for weeks now. Every single word that came out of my mouth couldn’t have been a more precise way for God to manifest His own words to me. He’s been screaming at me for so long, “Don’t you trust me! Do you really think that I would let you fall? I’m right here besides you and I’m not going anywhere!” Thank you, Lord, for teaching me through my stubborn son. Thank you, God, for revealing yourself in a new way to me. Thank you for reaching me in my point of need. Yes, God, I trust you! Yes, Lord, your word is very clear about the promises that you have for your children. Yes, Lord, you are right beside me and you will never, never leave me, even for one second. My trust is in you alone!

Isaiah 41:9-13 (MSG)
I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.' Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. "Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will and up out in the cold - real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty-handed-nothing to show for their lives. When you go out looking for your old adversaries you won't find them - Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory. That's right. Because I, your GOD, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, 'Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.'

Description of a Christian

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting I'm clean living. I'm whispering, I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches and I call upon His name!

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou. I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow.

I love to encourage. But, it's totally selfish! I can't even contain myself when I think about the smile that someone gonna get when they see that little note that I put on their car or how they are gonna look when they read that email! There is an immense amount of joy in looking at others through God's eyes! It's completely selfish! However, as someone who feeds on giving it, I also feed off of it, so I understand just how much it really is needed. Speaking life into someone's day is exhilarating. God is lavishing His love on us all the time, but the world is constantly putting us down. It tells us that we aren't good enough, or aren't smart enough, or don't have enough money, or aren't the sexiest thing on two feet, or aren't worth anything. In fact, the Bible even says that the power of life and death are held in the tongue and that the tongue is the hardest thing to control! We crave encouragement in our world today and the Devil knows it! So, he whispers really soft, so you don't know that it's him talking to you and putting you down. BUT, you can make that choice to listen or to rebuke, to accept the lies or to increase your faith! Advance the light! "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness!" (Heb 3:13)

quote of the day . . .

"I wonder if sometimes He puts you on your knees on purpose just so you'll realize what to do while you're down there, ya know?"





- Pete Cocos

I'm pretty much a dumb sheep . . .

" . . . for my power is made perfect in your weakness." If I had a mantra to describe exactly where I am spiritually right now - BAM, there it is. Weakness - I checked it out and here are some synonyms: flaw, fault, failing, limitation, disadvantage. Interesting to you? I thought it so!


Weakness, isn't it ironic that what the world sees as a defect, God glorifies! Think about this for just a second. I have been all day! Last night, trying to quiet all the turmoil in my head was impossible. I tried reading the word, I tried replaying situations over and over, looking for answers and seeking my own direction, and I even tried talking with my sister. Talking with her gave me momentary peace. In fact, she was walking through her own weaknesses and talked with me about it. It was easier for me to encourage her in the Lord than to encourage myself. Why is that? It was so easy for me to rejoice in her sufferings and I'm thinkin' in my head about how excited I am that God is going to use all this stuff that she's going through to put her through the fire and that I can see all the faithfulness that God has shown her in the past couple of years and I believe God, not just believe in God, but fully believe God, that He will use this all to mold and shape her to make her more like He is and that in the end He will lavish all these amazing blessings upon her. (breath)


So, I got off the phone with her and felt a little better, then morning happened. I couldn't get out of bed. Caleb came and woke me up. He wanted to get up and start the day, but I wanted to stay in bed all day. He wanted to read, so we read in bed. He went downstairs to grab a quick breakfast and I stayed in bed. He even closed my door so that I could get up and get dressed and sure enough 20 minutes later, he came knocking at the door saying, "Mom, you are taking too long!" And he was so right. I needed to get my lazy behind out of bed and start me day, but there was this haze over my soul. There was this giant heaviness that was too much for me to carry around.


So, I hit my knees and I cried. I cried and cried until it couldn't come anymore. I felt alone, I felt tired, I felt weary. I felt defeated and discouraged. It all kinda happened at once, ya know? Life just kinda keeps piling it on until it finds your breaking point and it found mine. I immediately knew where I was supposed to go - I went back to bed, but this time, I was armed. I dried the tears, but kept the tissue box handy and grabbed the sword and my new journal. It was waiting, just asking to be marked up with all the desires, pains, and cries of my heart. Date at the time, complete with the exact time and I just went to work. I scribbled it all down. I sorted it all out. I cried, I laughed, I screamed and I moaned until it was all down on paper and all out in the open. As my friend Gina says, "I got naked before the Lord!" And boy, did it feel better! I'm weak, completely frail. There is not one strand of strength left in me. What a scary, humble, and wonderful place to be!


I was working out today. (Denise really sure knows how to make the muscles burn!) I'm holding this crazy "warrior pose" and my thigh is shaking so bad that it was risking pulling it out of the hip socket and burning so bad that my pants practically caught on fire and I'm thinking to myself, "I'm so weak! This is so hard. Weakness leaving the body, huh?" I have just been so alert to the weaknesses of me today. I've been thinking all day about just how much I need God. It's quite amazing! I've been such a fool! How foolish to depend on my own strength and my own decisions that obviously put me in foolish positions anyway! What a wretched human am I to have choosen my will over that of my father's AGAIN! What is wrong with me? I mean really, I feel like this is the story of my life. Go, go, go, and do, do, do until I fall, fall, fall and then wonder why I continue in this fashion, every stinkin' time! Do you ever do that? Do you know what I mean?


So, I'm weak, and I'm learning to love it. It's a learning proccess for me, but I don't recommend learning as I have (or as I am.) Because, here's the deal - God doesn't want only the hard stuff. He wants it all. He wants every minute. He doesn't want the tough times without the easy times too. It's kinda like the mini-sermon that everyone preaches before you take up the offering. "Be faithful with the little stuff and it will be easier to be faithful with the more that God gives you!" You heard that one before? Well, I'm applying it to life! Give God the little stuff and watch Him carry you through the hard stuff too. Had I learned to give God the little stuff before, then how much easier would it be to walk through the difficulties of life that I face now?! Get it? So maybe you are like me, maybe not. Either way, don't wait until you are forced to depend on God to start depending on Him. I'm sure it's much more fun to do it willingly.


God, I need you! I can do nothing apart from you. You've heard it before, because I've said it before, but here I am again. I know that you hear me and I know that you are taking care of me. I don't understand why you would want me, but here I am in all of my weakness and I'm giving it all to you. Have your way! I surrender, all of it, I'm not holding back. I'm done! I have nothing left. I need a job - so you work it out! You know everything and you know how it's gonna work out. So, I trust you. You've never left me with any reason to doubt. I need your healing - so come inside my heart and mend away! You have never done anything but make me whole. There are pieces missing and I'm trying to fill those cracks with other stuff. Take the presidence that you deserve and move the stuff out the doesn't belong. Take care of those insecurities while you're there. Elise will appreciate it too! I have worries that only you can quiet - so speak loud enough to reach where I am because I can't even imagine being worthy enough to meet you were you are. I need to know and take hold of your promises - so thank you for the people that you've put into my life that remind me of that everyday! You've got your work cut out for you, but I know that you are a big and mighty God, so here ya go! I'm all yours. I'm a dumb sheep, lead away . . . baaaaaa!

quote of the day . . .

"You're making my heart hurt right now & that means that this is for serious!"


- Elise Mullins