I'm trying...

When the day is long and I feel so weary...I'M TRYING to trust in the Lord.

When people create problems that swirl around me...I"M TRYING to hang on.

When I feel lost and afraid...I"M TRYING to rest in the love of my Jesus.

When I feel ugly, unforgiven...I'M TRYING to remember what Christ did for me.

When LIFE gets hard...I'M TYRING to remember what living is really about.

I'M TRYING LORD, HELP ME PLEASE!

Thank you...

Lord, today I thank you. It is a Sunday, a day set aside for worship and I was "Glad when they said, 'Let us go to church!'" I needed today.

Thank you for pointing out areas in my life that I need to work on.

Thank you for presenting a message for me that caused me to evaluate my life and how I'm living that life.

Thank you for my husband and his ministry. I am in awe of the many talents and gifts you have blessed him with. I am thankful he has a heart for you.

Thank you for other examples in my church who actually "lead by example." I need a little dose of how they live...

Thank you for friends, encouragers, others who bring words of wisdom, hugs and a listening ear when needed. I am blessed!

Thank you for those praying for me daily...

Thank you for allowing me opportunities to minister for you. Help me use my talents for your service.

Thank you, for showing me that going to church is more than a sermon and a song. It is a chance to be encouraged, reminded of what I need to strive for and fellowship.

You are an AWESOME GOD and I love you!

Amen

Living in a "blessed" bubble...

As the world goes on around me, I am confused. I have and had many"troubles" come my way in life...I've traveled the world, seen first hand poverty, natural disasters, death, sickness, oppression...I've had to face handicaps and medical issues, death of loved ones and loneliness... I know what it is like to face addictions, feel unworthy and have to cry out for forgiveness...I'm not naive!!!

Yet, as people go on with their lives around me I feel their helplessness. It is like they have no JOY in life, that every problem is the "last straw" that will send their life as they know is barreling over the cliff. Whether it is emotional, physical or spiritual, they always seem to be running scared.

I've done things I'm not proud of. I still have issues I'm slowly but surely dealing with...I'm not perfect! Yet, those around me often think I have the "PERFECT" life. Well, I hate to break it to everybody, but NOTHING in this world is perfect. NOTHING, but God!

And there you have it. There is where the answer lies... God.

He is the beginning and the end. My Alpha and Omega.

I struggle daily in weakness, yet I know who my redeemer is...

I have been blessed. I was given the opportunity to be born in a "free country." I was born into an actively faithful Christian family. I married a man who loves God with his whole heart. And I have beautiful children that are a work in progress right now, but are being taught the love of the Father. Yes, I have had it better than some.

Only the Bible suggests that to whom " much is given, much is required." So on those days I'm tired of being strong, "living the fishbowl" life, struggling to make my own right choices, feeling like a hypocrite a good portion of the time... I have to remember my JOY. I do not know what tomorrow will bring, but I know the Lord has provided me with His tools to handle any situation with JOY.

Yes, sometimes I feel like I live in a bubble. Well, maybe I do...surrounded by the unfailing love of the Heavenly Father.

I will keep praying friends...your troubles weigh heavy on my heart today!

More prayers for other...

There is nothing like seeing others hurting that makes one stop and realize their own blessings. My heart goes out to the old friend rediscovered on Facebook, who feels lost and alone right now...struggling with unbelief and lacking in faith. God is good, my friend. Be strong, for He hasn't forgotten you.

There is the young girl, in our group, hit a deer tonight in her car. We think she will be alright, but my heart goes out to her mother right now. I want to go hold my own children close right now. Be strong, young friend. Be at peace, Mom. God is in control of these minutes.

There is a blog friend of my blog friends, who I now consider a friend in Christ. Her firstborn, born with health issues. A baby so wanted. A baby fighting to live. A baby held in God's hands... Lord, this young family longs to hold this little one, raise her for you. Please give them precious memories with her. Let her regain her health, be strong and be a total example of your glory.
http://www.kellyskornerblog.com

As I read what I've already typed, I realize how blessed I am. You give me so much. Shame on me for always craving more! Forgive me for my ungrateful heart, O Lord! Let me live with joy, for you have given to me greatly!

Amen.

Praying for others...

As I sit here typing, wondering what today might hold, while still feeling under the weather; I have joy. I have to. There are so many other people who are truly suffering today, that my little pain and discomfort seem so little in comparison. I don't have much energy or strength in this moment, but I can pray. Many times praying for others can bring back our joy. It can help us forget our own trials, it can remind us of God's GREATNESS.

Today I'm praying for a little friend who has RSV. So small, yet such a joy. I truly believe God has great plans for this baby. He comes from one of those stories that helps you realize that God is in control and can take the wrongs of this world and make something beautiful. My little friend is BEAUTIFUl. He makes me smile each day. As he lays in the hospital, I pray for healing and comfort for his little body. I also pray for strength and peace for his family. Nothing is harder, as a parent, than to have to watch your children hurting. That is how I know that MY God has this little one in his hands...He can't stand to see one of his own hurting either.

I'm also praying for a young family, that my sister and her friends have asked prayer for. Here is a lady who has waited for God's timing in having a baby, only to have her and the baby have some medical issues. Life threatening medical issues. I do not know them, but I realize they are a family of faith. I know God has His hands on their little family and will bless them with strength and peace. I pray for this new little life. She is already so loved. What a testimony her life will be...

I've prayed for the young, I will now lift up the older generation. Those dear to my heart, facing their own little trials in health, financial issues, changes and strength. Lord, you know who they are and I give them and their needs to you...

Lord, take my prayers today. Shower your blessings of healing, strength and total peace our way. You are the one true God and you have promised to take care of your own. You always know what is best for your children. Help us have peace with what answers you send our way.

Be a servant...

This is my prayer for today....

Lord, this has been a hard week for many little reasons. Physical pain and health issues have a way of bringing me down and putting me out of sorts. The days have been too long and the nights have been way too short. But you know?

I know YOU are good!

Lord, there has been a little gossiping going on at work. Whispers behind the back, hurt feelings, wrong assumptions made, careless attitudes...DRAMA. There are days that I want to throw in the towel and say "it isn't worth it!" But then I look in the eyes of a child, the toothless grin smiling back at me, and that precious giggle that escapes...

I know YOU are good!

Lord, my children are growing up. There are some growing pains along the way. Words said in anger, doors slammed, tears shed. I feel helpless as a parent. But,

I know YOU are good!

Lord, money can be tight at times. Wrong decisions made at times. The painful process of paying bills...

I know YOU are good!

Today, as I live life for one more day, each day truly being a blessing from you, help me remember this prayer. May your peace walk with me today, as I strive to have a servant's heart and find my joy in each moment. Thank you, Lord...

For YOU are GOOD!

Amen.

Mustard seed faith...

Nothing takes over your whole being, like the smallest pain. Why is it that a bad tooth, earache or crick in your neck can take over your whole body and control how one feels. I had lived in agony, a whole weekend, while trying to get on with life...it sometimes seems impossible. That smallest pain, throbs like a giant!

My heart cried out this morning to the Lord. Lord, I can't make it through today, without your grace. I've tried medicine. I've tried home remedies. I've tried everything, but nothing short of your strength and a dentist are going to help me today. The dentist will come at 4:00p.m., till then, I am going to keep my faith in you...

The smallest pain...can cause this much hurt. The bible talks about the smallest dose of faith, too. Sometimes,like today, when I seem so distracted and lost in a world of hurt, well if I can "mustard" up a little faith, a Godly dose of peace is ever present.

I have four hours till I go to the dentist. Four more hours of work. Yet, by your grace, I've made it through the last four with limited pain. Only you, Lord. All credit is yours! I give you the glory and I pray for more strength to come.

Thank you. It is possible to find joy in pain, when you feel the loving hands of the Heavenly Father on your heart.

"Be Joyful in Hope..."

"Be joyful in hope..." The words from Romans 12:12, literally bounce off the page at me. In my search for the definition of true joy, these are the words that grab my attention. What does it mean?

To be "joyful," means to rejoice. To have "hope" means there is a confidence that something will happen. So, to "be joyful in hope" leaves us with happiness over what we believe in. The true question should be; "What do I believe?"

I believe in Christ. I believe in a Heavenly Father, who loved me so very much, that he decided to send me a gift. A gift of salvation through His son. I believe this Savior, died on a cross for me, bridging the gap between me and a loving God. I believe that my Savior rose again and has gone to prepare a home for me that is not of this world. Simply put, my Savior brought me "hope."

In my spiral notebook, I have this written; "To discover joy is to see Christ and know he is there, even in the tough situations." I don't know where I picked this quote up, probably from a Bible study I've done in the past, but I love it. It is simple. It is understandable. It is truth.

One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of James. He doesn't sugarcoat anything! My favorite verses are James 1:2-4. They says this:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith developes perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete and not lacking anything."

Truth is when things go wrong it is HARD to keep hope. It is HARD to be joyful. Death, sickness, money troubles, hurt, anger, betrayal... it is hard to let these things go. But, we can find JOY in the fact that God loves us, has never left His children and has indeed provided HOPE.

I look at all of God's children that have gone before me and have had their share of pain and struggle. Whether, they have been my favorite Bible personalities or members of my own family, I am often left in awe of the strength they possessed, after coming through the fire. I myself have felt closer to my God, after a dose of hurt and cup of struggle. So, i can only conclude this: Yes, there will be problems knocking on my door, there will be pain stepping on my toes. There will be trials of all kinds waiting for me behind the bushes, BUT there is my Savior waiting...waiting to walk through the stormy waters with me, or should I say on top of them?

No, God never promised there wouldn't be trouble in this world. He just blessed us with the ability to hope. In that hope, we find our joy!

A Journal of the Spiritual Heart

While traveling through "blog land" I have been inspired. Many individuals have used their blogs to journal their family's day to day experiences. I've done that. Some bloggers show family and friends pictures of their growing children. I've done that too. A few will use posts as their "soapboxes," voicing their opinions. Yes, I guess I'm guilty of that as well. However, there are a select group of people who inspire me with their blogs. One lady's blog leaves me with a feeling that I have worshipped, have had an encounter with God as I read her typed words. I'm left with a thankful heart that she is allowing God to use her and her talents to touch fellow bloggers, like me.

Yes, I already have one blog. It is all about my family; My loving husband, my terrific kids and the rest of my family tree. I try to fill it with pictures, funny tales and lessons learned. Yet, I wanted something more.

I've always enjoyed writing. I've kept journals since I was a young girl...I tend to write my prayers out when I have trouble voicing my heart. So, since I'm in blog land daily anyway, I decided to keep this journal of my spiritual heart. If no one reads it, well that will be alright. However, I decided to leave it available, in case God wants to use it for His glory.

I will not always have answers, but I will always have questions. I may not always be right, but I know as a child of God and a follower of Christ, that I am forgiven. So, as I daily try to walk in my Savior's light, in my search of true joy and peace, well...you are definitely welcome to walk the journey with me.