E + R = O

I'm taking a class at work based on the book "Success Principles" by Jack Canfield.  You probably know him and don't realize it.  He's co-creator the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books. 

In this book, he explains this formula, E + R = O.  Event + Response = Outcome.  And which part of this do we have control over?  Hmmmm....the response and then the outcome will change.  I have been focusing on my responses lately so I'm eating this up. :)  He explains how the same response gets the same outcome, etc.  He goes on to mention what we have control over - our thoughts, our visualizations, and our actions. 

Hmmm....the book isn't biblical, but I seem to remember God telling us the same thing.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  Proverbs 15:1

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  James 1:19

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:8 NIV

God directly speaks to this.  It's the garbage-in garbage-out idea.  In order to control our thoughts, we need to set our minds on the right things.  Then our actions will more easily follow suit.  Yes, this is easier said than done, especially when you are very frustrated, but God gives us the tools, they are there for the taking.

Thank you, Father, for your guidance.  Please show each of us the specific tools You have for us in order to change our responses and outcomes.  Thank you for all You do for us, Amen. 

Praise God!

Good morning!  Do you ever want to share a wonderful feeling from the Lord?  I want to share like crazy. 

This week, He has shown me kids in our church who are hurting, He has shown me He wants to guide me, and He has shown me hope.  He's given me joy and peace and I praise Him for that.  Proverbs chapter 1 discusses gaining wisdom and knowledge and fearing the Lord.  When we do this, we are at ease.  Amen!  The more we are in His Word, the greater our peace and our joy.  He has so much to show us as He grows us. 

Thank you, Father, for investing in each one of us, no matter how we get off track or neglect your Word.  You continue to reach out to us and show yourself.  Thank you for being there no matter what.  Amen.

Praise God this morning for what He is doing in you!

Who are we praying for?

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people..." 
1 Timothy 2:1 ESV

I guess the first question should be, are we "praying at all times"?  Our prayer life should not be just for Sunday mornings or even daily, it should be constantly, involving every area of our life no matter how small.  God really does want to be in the details of our life.

That being said, who do we pray for?  Most of us pray for our family, ourselves, friends, church family.  What about those groups of people who are not going through intermittent struggles but they struggle every single day of their lives?

There are so many here in our area, especially kids, that are living with abuse and other struggles.  And there are areas like this all over the world.  Our trip to Alaska opened my eyes to the people in villages that are struggling daily.  So when God tells us "⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8, is He not also telling us to pray for the people in those places?

I challenge myself and you to reach out and have a burden in your heart for a people group, learn what you can, and pray for them daily. 

Thank you, Lord, for the burdens you put in our hearts for your people.  Please show each person taking this challenge those you want them to pray for and love.  I praise you for the abundant life you give us.  Amen.

Strong enough?

"Strong Enough"    -Matthew West

You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through

Well, forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be
everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of us

Well, maybe
Maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up

Cause when I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up
And reaching out

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Cause I'm broken
Down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God
and you are strong
When I am weak

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Oh, yeah

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
Strong enough

This goes along with the verse I posted yesterday, 2 Corinthians 12:9, My strength is made perfect in his weakness.

When I first heard this song, I passed it on to an acquaintance online going through what I consider insurmountable situations.  Her husband lost his job and their adopted teenage daughter was hurting her younger children, attacking her, and accusing her of child abuse, for which she was arrested.  Yet she kept trying to help this girl no matter what she did to the family.  This song really spoke to her. 

At the time I was in a happy place and was thankful it wasn't applying to me.  Then wham!  God said I was too comfortable.  Just when I thought everything was smooth some major issues came up with my daughter.  I didn't understand.  Then I'd hear this song and wonder if this was the road I was going down.  Was God telling me to step back and let Him take full control?  And what is full control?  I stepped back some but not enough. 

During this time, hope was an issue for me.  One other time in my life did I lose hope and I went down a dark path.  I had no intention of doing that again, so I searched for what God was revealing to me.

The mission trip team did team devotionals on fruit of the spirit.  They really convicted me.  I did fine with everyone else but my daughter.  I could not control my emotions where she was concerned and it was hurting our relationship.  At the end of our trip, due to lack of sleep, etc, a friend and I had a melt down in our relationship.  Finally, I was "down to nothing" as the song says and I got it, truly got it.  I am not strong enough.  And I let go.  No matter what I do, God is in control and I don't have to be strong.

He provided me hope in the last week, real hope from His word and those around me.  I relaxed and asked Him to take over.  My fear was that my daughter's therapist wasn't seeing everything I was and how she was retreating rather than progressing.  I decided that God will show her and the right people what is going on so they can help her and the decisions concerning her will not be solely on my shoulders.  And God spoke loudly to say "I'm here, my daughter, and now I can work that you've stepped back."  During therapy yesterday, the therapist got it and realized what I had been seeing.  

I have been much calmer with my daughter in the last 2 weeks.  This came from shifting my focus from her and her situation to God.  I can't control what she does, and reacting the same way was getting me nowhere.  God showed me I needed to change me to be spiritually healthy and let Him take over.  What peace came over me.  I feel I'm on a new journey and running towards my Father and that is sheer joy.

Thank you, Father, for your patience with your children.  Thank you for being strong enough and always having control.  Thank you for speaking to us when we seek you, and speaking in such wonderful ways.  Thank you for holding me so close.  Amen.

Are you glowing?

What an amazing trip we had in Alaska!  God did not disappoint us.  He dazzled us with scenery and drew us near to him through testimonies from the students.

We were privileged to have a female student with us for the week.  She comes from a village on the west coast of Alaska. 

The other villages call it Suicide Village because the suicides are so rampant.  She shared her story with us of cousins and a sister who committed suicide.  It wasn't until she was 16 and peeking in at a Vacation Bible School that she decided she wanted to be happy.  She saw a glow on the faces of the people there and she wanted it.  She was tired of the alcoholism and depression around her.  I thank God for the VBS and the workers that reached out even though she sat there with her hood up, determined not to be involved. 

She is now 25 and seeking God in EVERY part of her life.  And I mean EVERY part.  She is sold out to him but realizes she's still human.  She struggles daily with His guidance and wanting to truly hear Him.  Her maturity in the Lord is heart stopping.

My daughter got to hear her testimony and although it won't make an impact in the short term, I know she will remember every word and when she's ready to be happy, she will reflect on my friend's journey. 

Hmmmm....are you glowing?  Are you letting God shine through you?  Seems it's a daily question to ask ourselves.  If we are His child, we are to be His light.  Let Him shine through today.

Father God, I praise you for shining through circumstances that are so completely out of our control.  Thank you for being in control and the peace that gives us.  Please make it clear to my friend the next step of her journey.  Please make my next steps clear as well.  Thank you so much, amen.

My strength is made perfect in weakness.   2 Corinthians 12:9

"...Here am I. Send me!"

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  Isaiah 6:8

This morning I read a friend's blog and was inspired to pick mine back up.  And I thank God for sending me that friend last fall at a conference.  She is such a God-centered woman and who couldn't use another friend like that?  :)

In the last year especially, I have really focused on listening to God's guidance in my life.  And for those times when I truly hear Him, the blessings become a flood.  The times when I don't, well, life gets a bit crazy. 



One Saturday 3 months or so ago I went to a women's luncheon with some old friends and God told me it's time for a mission trip.  I've always wanted to go on one, but have never given it serious thought.  The next day I spoke with my dear friend at church and within the week, a mission trip was in the works for May.  We leave in 2 days!  During the prep for this trip, God has shown the 15 of us going amazing things about Him and ourselves.  I can't imagine what the actual trip will do for us. 

We are going to a college that ministers to students from the bush of Alaska.  However, they will not be at the college when we are.  I kept trying to think of something we could leave on their pillows when they return in the fall to let them know they are the reason for our trip and that we care about them.  Bookmarks with verses came to mind, and maybe....maybe we can get those done this summer after the trip and send them back up.  Because I didn't possibly have time to do it after all the fundraisers and activities going on for the local kids. 

This Monday God said to get the kids from church involved and get it done this week.  So, we got the bookmarks made and took them to church last night.  Then we had the 1st - 6th graders put a message or picture on the back to make them personal.  The kids loved getting to be part of our trip and their messages were so sweet.  The idea of helping the students put wonderfully huge smiles on their faces.

Did this idea come from me?  No, it was all God.  I'm so thankful He was loud and clear about it.  I had to put other things aside, but once again, the blessings poured down.

Lord, I thank you for your guidance, your blessings, and your love.  We fall so short in so many ways and yet you choose to use us anyway.  What a perfect plan so we do not get the glory or your works.  Please help me to continue to truly listen and seek you every single day.  And help us make an impact for you on this mission trip.  You are amazing!  Amen.

Starting the New Year off right? I challenge you!

Happy New Year to everyone!  I trust you have already counted your many blessings of 2011.  For the first time, my husband, daughter, and I did this at dinner on the 31st.  2011 was one of the best years of my life.  It taught me that if I give my heart over to God, He will fill it with His desires for me and show me an abundant life. 

Do I always get to see all the wonders He has for me?  No, I don't think so.  I mess things up too much trying to do them myself.  But for the times I can let go and let God, my cup overflows.

This morning my cup overflows with my daughter at home with me at her desk and me at mine.  There is an incredible blessing in being with your kids every day and seeing your husband throughout the day.  In the few weeks she has been homeschooled, we have grown closer together - getting that really cool time together. 

I challenge each of you to simplify your life in one way during January.  Klove has a challenge to only listen to christian music for 30 days.  Maybe you only read christian literature, or you go the month without t.v., or decrease your tv time by one hour a day.  Spend one hour more a day with your family instead of on a gadget.  God knows what the challenge is for you.  Seek it and live abundantly!!

Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings and guiding hand in my life.  Remind me when I'm not paying attention and are veering off your road.  I praise you for what I see you doing in my family and in others I can see.  Please show me how to serve you this year.  Amen.