My heart is aching for those children left dying in the streets. My heart is aching that I cannot give a home and love to each of those orphans with scabies and gaping wounds on their skin due to improper nutrition and conditions. My heart is aching for each of those children that do not feel loved or accepted by anyone. My heart is aching for those 60% of girls that will grow up to live a life of prostitution in Russia. It aches for those 70% of orphan boys in Russia who will end up in jail or prison. My heart aches for those hurting. But, it mostly aches because I feel like I can never do enough. I feel as though I am on the sidelines watching, but it is not my time to enter the game. The Lord has called me to wait, while in the process, I sit on the sidelines and pray....pray and fast for those children that I cannot physically come in contact with and help. The peace He has given me with through this struggle is that He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our provider, and He has called other people to spread their resources and abilities and touch these children's lives. And in the process, He has called me to pour my heart into prayer for the world and what He will call me into in the future.
The problem is, where are they? Where are we when these children are suffering and have no place to lay their heads? Are we truly listening and trusting God with our lives? Are we trusting He will provide for us, when we pray and trust He will provide that orphan with a meal the next day? It is a challenge for me to hear my own words when I know one day I will be called to take a huge step of faith, trust God with my life in another country, and go to bather open wounds and help a feeble child raise its spoon to it mouth. I am excited for that day though. I am pumped for the opportunity to witness pain that many people will not ever witness in their lifetime. But, I am most ecstatic about witnessing the look on a child's face that shows they have felt God's love through me, a look that shows they know what it is to be loved by our heavenly Father--it is unlike any other feeling, and it is the only hope and love that can truly change a life.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Steadfast
"As gentle a man as he was, as tender as was his heart, there was nothing weak about Michael Hosea. He was the strongest-minded man Joseph had ever met. A Man like Noah. A Man like the Shepherd-king David. A man after God's own heart." (Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers)
In order to reach and serve people we must hold steadfast to concept of being a "man or woman" after God's own heart. This exerpt from the brilliantly written book, Redeeming Love, opens my eyes to the person I want to be--compassionate, with a strength that cannot be broken by the world and circumstances.
Women, I would highly, highly recommend reading the book Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George. It has a beautiful and glorifying breakdown of the women we can be and how we can serve the Lord to our full potential through guidance of the Proverbs 31 chapter in the Bible. We have so much potential to reach and serve others around us if we can just open our eyes and hearts to all the Lord has in store for us. If we can break down barriers that are daily set before us and transform our minds for the renewing of our spirits we have the ability to impact so many people! If you keep that in mind and surrender your life and your plans daily to the Lord you will find peace, contentment, and joy beyond anything you could imagine.
In order to reach and serve people we must hold steadfast to concept of being a "man or woman" after God's own heart. This exerpt from the brilliantly written book, Redeeming Love, opens my eyes to the person I want to be--compassionate, with a strength that cannot be broken by the world and circumstances.
Women, I would highly, highly recommend reading the book Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George. It has a beautiful and glorifying breakdown of the women we can be and how we can serve the Lord to our full potential through guidance of the Proverbs 31 chapter in the Bible. We have so much potential to reach and serve others around us if we can just open our eyes and hearts to all the Lord has in store for us. If we can break down barriers that are daily set before us and transform our minds for the renewing of our spirits we have the ability to impact so many people! If you keep that in mind and surrender your life and your plans daily to the Lord you will find peace, contentment, and joy beyond anything you could imagine.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Beloved
Lyrics by Tenth Avenue North
Love of My life
Look deep in My eyes
There you will find what you need
Give Me your life
The lust and the lies
The past you're afraid I might see
You've been running away from Me (yeah)
You're My beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
And it binds you to Me
It's a mystery
Love of My life
Look deep in My eyes
There you will find what you need
I'm the Giver of life
I'll clothe you in white
My immaculate bride you will be
Oh, come running home to Me (yeah now)
You're My beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
and it binds you to Me (yeah now, now)
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Well, you've been a mistress, My wife
Chasing lovers that won't satisfy
Won't you let Me make you My bride
You will drink of My lips
And you'll taste new life
You're My beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
And it binds you to Me
It's a mystery
Love of My life
Look deep in My eyes
There you will find what you need
Give Me your life
The lust and the lies
The past you're afraid I might see
You've been running away from Me (yeah)
You're My beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
And it binds you to Me
It's a mystery
Love of My life
Look deep in My eyes
There you will find what you need
I'm the Giver of life
I'll clothe you in white
My immaculate bride you will be
Oh, come running home to Me (yeah now)
You're My beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
and it binds you to Me (yeah now, now)
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Well, you've been a mistress, My wife
Chasing lovers that won't satisfy
Won't you let Me make you My bride
You will drink of My lips
And you'll taste new life
You're My beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
And it binds you to Me
It's a mystery
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Quirky quote *@*
For Single Ladies: Quick Bible Lesson...In the Bible, Ruth patiently waited for her mate Boaz. While waiting on YOUR Boaz, Please don't settle for ANY of his relatives: Brokeaz, Lyinaz, Cheatinaz, Dumbaz, Downlowaz, Cheapaz, Lockedupaz, Goodfornothingaz, Lazyaz, or Marriedaz! And Especially his third cousin, Beatingyoaz. PLEASE....wait on your Boaz, and make sure HE respects Yoaz!!!
Pahahabahaha so cute...
Pahahabahaha so cute...
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wait...
A beautiful and endearing poem that I recently read on Facebook. I hope that is brings a smile and joy to your life like it did mine. :)
Wait
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."
"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."
Wait
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."
"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."
Friday, July 22, 2011
Adonai
Adonai can mean "our Lord," "Master," or "Father." This word can also be used when referring to men or angels, but in the old testament it was frequently used in reference to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is amazing the way our heavenly Father treats us, and instead of dispelling the punishment we rightly deserve for bringing upon ourselves sin and hurt He uses the opportunities to mold us and discipline us, so we never experience that hurt again. The Lord may also ask things of us in order to challenge us and grow us and these things come when we seek Him with all of our heart. Beth Moore discusses that often God will say, "sit right there child and watch me work." Other times He may say, "Stay out of this because I must do this on my own." Still other times He says, "I need you to will your sword a little bit," or He may even ask us to "Step into the middle of a raging battle and drop all of our defenses and wholely and completely trust Him." When He asks this of us, it will be the most difficult thing you have ever faced, but if you trust Him enough to give the battle and place your life completely in His hands He will never let you down and you will witness His power in such a mighty way that you will never be the same again!
In Joshua 10, Joshua and the Israelites are called to fight a war that was not their own, but they trusted God completely and His glory was displayed for all to see. During this war, Joshua asks God to have the Sun stay still so they could finish the battle, and in the only time in history God made the sun stand still for twelve hours in the middle of the sky--incredible! This also makes me realize that God wants us to ask for amazing things, things that we think could never come true. He may chuckle sometimes and then just respond with, "Oh Child, I have so much greater things in store for you, just wait!. Regardless, He is Adonai and will always take care of us. Do not ever think you are too lost, too damaged, to weak, or too burdened to where you cannot come to His feet and lay everything before Him and watch Him work in you, because He will!
In Joshua 10, Joshua and the Israelites are called to fight a war that was not their own, but they trusted God completely and His glory was displayed for all to see. During this war, Joshua asks God to have the Sun stay still so they could finish the battle, and in the only time in history God made the sun stand still for twelve hours in the middle of the sky--incredible! This also makes me realize that God wants us to ask for amazing things, things that we think could never come true. He may chuckle sometimes and then just respond with, "Oh Child, I have so much greater things in store for you, just wait!. Regardless, He is Adonai and will always take care of us. Do not ever think you are too lost, too damaged, to weak, or too burdened to where you cannot come to His feet and lay everything before Him and watch Him work in you, because He will!
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