Father,
It is Mitchell's ninth day at boot camp. Thank you for watching him as he works through this eight weeks. And thank you for your majesty. Even in our hardest of times Your glory shines through.
I won't lie and say that I don't miss him, because I do. It's so weird having guys around me and not having Mitchell here to talk to and spend time with. The saying, "You don't know what you have until it's gone," is so true! Even though I was preparing myself for him not being around, it's hard. And it's so pathetic, but I feel now that I don't have to have my cell phone on me anymore because I won't be getting a random text from him or an unplanned call...yes, I miss him.
Please take him as You find him there, Father, and mold him. Mold him into the person that You want him to be. Use this time to help guide him.
I can't thank you enough for having Your hand of protection over him. I know that giving him over to You before he left was the right thing for me do. I know that You're with him and just that thought alone is enough to overwhelm me. Your grace is one thing, so powerful and awe-inspiring. But Your love, that is a whole new facet of who You are. To know that You love Mitchell more than I ever could is outstanding, almost unbelievable, but so real.
Please give him endurance through his activities. And right now, as he sleeps, please give him a spirit-filled rest. For You are our comfort and strength.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
One and Only (11/27/10)
How could I have let you walk away from me that day?
How could I have stood there with everything to say and not have a word leave my lips?
Why do the words, "I love you," hold so much fear?
It's because I know the feelings you have for me are not the same ones I have for you.
God's perfect peace has yet to take hold of my mangled heart.
Could it be that I'm pushing Him away from this time of healing?
Is it truly my heart's desire to hold onto this pain and lonliness? No...
Young women, shield your heart for God's perfect plan.
Give men a time to be men and they will respect you.
Give yourself time to be a woman and your heart will be much less likely to get trapped in this, this game of love.
Please, don't give your whole heart and life away.
Hold your precious memories for that one person with whom you will wed.
Leave your heart to God, for His name is perfect.
Whisper it from your lips, "I love you, Jesus."
For He is your one and only.
How could I have stood there with everything to say and not have a word leave my lips?
Why do the words, "I love you," hold so much fear?
It's because I know the feelings you have for me are not the same ones I have for you.
God's perfect peace has yet to take hold of my mangled heart.
Could it be that I'm pushing Him away from this time of healing?
Is it truly my heart's desire to hold onto this pain and lonliness? No...
Young women, shield your heart for God's perfect plan.
Give men a time to be men and they will respect you.
Give yourself time to be a woman and your heart will be much less likely to get trapped in this, this game of love.
Please, don't give your whole heart and life away.
Hold your precious memories for that one person with whom you will wed.
Leave your heart to God, for His name is perfect.
Whisper it from your lips, "I love you, Jesus."
For He is your one and only.
Faith
Hebrews 11:1-2
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."
Luke 7:1-10 (Faith of the Centurion)
When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
He felt unworthy to go to Jesus or have Him in his house, but he knew with a word that Jesus could heal his servant.
Luke 8:40-48 (Woman Subject to Bleeding)
Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Luke 8:40-42, 49-56 (Jesus Awakens the Dead Girl)
Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him....
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
All three of these people put their faith into action.
- The centurion had faith that Jesus could heal his servent, so he sent Jewish leaders and his friends to Jesus.
- The woman knew she would be healed through Jesus if she could just touch Him. So, she reached out her hand.
- Jarius knew Jesus could heal his daughter, so Jarius pleaded with Jesus to come to his house.
Father,
Thank you so much for showing me this. I do hope that one day I can be commended (like the ancients were) for my own faith in You. You are pleased through our faith. (Eph. 5:10 "...and find out what pleases the Lord.") Now that You have shown me what that looks like, please help me to learn it and apply it to my every day life.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."
Luke 7:1-10 (Faith of the Centurion)
When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
He felt unworthy to go to Jesus or have Him in his house, but he knew with a word that Jesus could heal his servant.
Luke 8:40-48 (Woman Subject to Bleeding)
Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Luke 8:40-42, 49-56 (Jesus Awakens the Dead Girl)
Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him....
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
All three of these people put their faith into action.
- The centurion had faith that Jesus could heal his servent, so he sent Jewish leaders and his friends to Jesus.
- The woman knew she would be healed through Jesus if she could just touch Him. So, she reached out her hand.
- Jarius knew Jesus could heal his daughter, so Jarius pleaded with Jesus to come to his house.
Father,
Thank you so much for showing me this. I do hope that one day I can be commended (like the ancients were) for my own faith in You. You are pleased through our faith. (Eph. 5:10 "...and find out what pleases the Lord.") Now that You have shown me what that looks like, please help me to learn it and apply it to my every day life.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Father,
What are my hopes and dreams for the future? I've noticed that I have had small wants of things to come, but nothing that I seem to truly desire. I am only just know learning Your lesson of letting go. But if I have no real desires for my future, then what am I letting go of?
It says in Psalm 37:4-7a
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him..."
Hmmm..."the desires of your heart," what desires? Jesus, will You please place Your desires upon my heart? I am nothing without You and I have nothing until You bestow it. I waited paitenly for the answer from the young man that I so admire and You granted it. So, will You please grant me my next steps? I will wait patiently for You here. As patiently as I can, for You know how much I love to speak with You.
For now, let Yourself be my heart's desire. No, not just for now...for always.
It says in Psalm 37:4-7a
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him..."
Hmmm..."the desires of your heart," what desires? Jesus, will You please place Your desires upon my heart? I am nothing without You and I have nothing until You bestow it. I waited paitenly for the answer from the young man that I so admire and You granted it. So, will You please grant me my next steps? I will wait patiently for You here. As patiently as I can, for You know how much I love to speak with You.
For now, let Yourself be my heart's desire. No, not just for now...for always.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
"Whatever It Takes" Lifehouse
A strangled smile fell from your face.
It kills me that I hurt you this way.
The worst part is that I didn't even know.
Now there's a million reasons for you to go, but if you can find a reason to stay:
I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around.
I know what's at stake.
I know that I've let you down.
And if you give me a chance, believe that I can change.
I'll keep us together, whatever it takes.
She said, "If we're gonna make this work you gotta let me inside even though it hurts. Don't hide the broken parts that I need to see."
She said, "Like it or not it's the way it's gotta be. You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me."
I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around.
I know what's at stake.
I know that I've let you down.
And if you give me a chance and give me a break I'll keep us together.
I know you deserve much better.
But remember the time I told you the way that I felt; that I'd be lost without you and never find myself.
Let's hold onto each other above everything else.
Start over, start over.
I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around.
I know what's at stake.
I know that I've let you down.
And if you give me a chance, believe that I can change.
I'll keep us together, whatever it takes.
It kills me that I hurt you this way.
The worst part is that I didn't even know.
Now there's a million reasons for you to go, but if you can find a reason to stay:
I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around.
I know what's at stake.
I know that I've let you down.
And if you give me a chance, believe that I can change.
I'll keep us together, whatever it takes.
She said, "If we're gonna make this work you gotta let me inside even though it hurts. Don't hide the broken parts that I need to see."
She said, "Like it or not it's the way it's gotta be. You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me."
I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around.
I know what's at stake.
I know that I've let you down.
And if you give me a chance and give me a break I'll keep us together.
I know you deserve much better.
But remember the time I told you the way that I felt; that I'd be lost without you and never find myself.
Let's hold onto each other above everything else.
Start over, start over.
I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around.
I know what's at stake.
I know that I've let you down.
And if you give me a chance, believe that I can change.
I'll keep us together, whatever it takes.
Friday, December 3, 2010
"Those Nights" - Skillet
I remember when we used to laugh about nothing at all.
It was better than going mad from trying to solve all the problems we're going through.
Forget 'em all!
Cause on those nights we would stand and never fall.
Together we faced it all.
Remember when we'd:
Stay up late and we'd talk all night, in a dark room lit by the TV light.
Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
We'd listen to the radio play all night.
Didn't want to go home to another fight.
Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
I remember when we used to drive anywhere but here as long as we'd forget our lives.
We were so young and confused that we didn't know to laugh or cry.
Those nights were ours; they will live and never die.
Together we'd stand forever.
Remember when we'd:
Stay up late and we'd talk all night, in a dark room lit by the TV light.
Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
We'd listen to the radio play all night.
Didn't want to go home to another fight.
Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
Those nights belong to us.
There's nothing wrong with us.
I remember when we used to laugh and now I wish those nights would last.
It was better than going mad from trying to solve all the problems we're going through.
Forget 'em all!
Cause on those nights we would stand and never fall.
Together we faced it all.
Remember when we'd:
Stay up late and we'd talk all night, in a dark room lit by the TV light.
Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
We'd listen to the radio play all night.
Didn't want to go home to another fight.
Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
I remember when we used to drive anywhere but here as long as we'd forget our lives.
We were so young and confused that we didn't know to laugh or cry.
Those nights were ours; they will live and never die.
Together we'd stand forever.
Remember when we'd:
Stay up late and we'd talk all night, in a dark room lit by the TV light.
Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
We'd listen to the radio play all night.
Didn't want to go home to another fight.
Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
Those nights belong to us.
There's nothing wrong with us.
I remember when we used to laugh and now I wish those nights would last.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
My Heart Was On the Line
I didn't know how I felt about you, dear sir. I didn't know until just recently how attached to you I have become.
Your kindness was shown to me with no limits. And your generosity was laid on your sleeve at all times.
Your smile was easy to come and your words of encouragement and hope always upon my ear.
To what did I owe such love?
No, not love, but friendship.
Yet my eyes were clouded and my heart taking bigger and bigger parts of my 'liking' for you.
Yes, my heart was on the line.
Where did my rationality go when you walked into a room?
Why did my breathe leave me when you were my first sight?
Was this friendship meant to move forward? No.
For your departure is iminant and your love somewhere else, somewhere beautiful.
And yes, my heart was on the line.
Lord, set me right. Set me back on the path of friendship and take my heart off the line.
Help me to be the best possible friend I can to him, but nothing more until Your Word says otherwise.
Bless this friendship so that it may grow. Help us to become encouragers of each other into Your Word.
And let Your praise be on our lips at all times.
Your kindness was shown to me with no limits. And your generosity was laid on your sleeve at all times.
Your smile was easy to come and your words of encouragement and hope always upon my ear.
To what did I owe such love?
No, not love, but friendship.
Yet my eyes were clouded and my heart taking bigger and bigger parts of my 'liking' for you.
Yes, my heart was on the line.
Where did my rationality go when you walked into a room?
Why did my breathe leave me when you were my first sight?
Was this friendship meant to move forward? No.
For your departure is iminant and your love somewhere else, somewhere beautiful.
And yes, my heart was on the line.
Lord, set me right. Set me back on the path of friendship and take my heart off the line.
Help me to be the best possible friend I can to him, but nothing more until Your Word says otherwise.
Bless this friendship so that it may grow. Help us to become encouragers of each other into Your Word.
And let Your praise be on our lips at all times.
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