Answered Prayer...

Never give up praying and hoping for those you love! 

This past week God answered a prayer that has been on my heart for many years.  As you may know, several years ago, I was able to locate my older brother after not knowing what happened to him almost thirty years ago.  During our initial conversations we talked about the possibility of him coming to visit my family in Tennessee.  Neither of us knew if or when that may happen.

My prayer and hearts desire was answered last week!  My brother was able to spend four days with us!  It was an amazing time for me and my family.  We laughed, cried, reminisced, and filled in blanks for each other about our lives.  It was also a time of reconciliation and closure for him and another family member, for which I am grateful to have played a small part in.  He left Tennessee with his heart full and headed to one last stop before he goes back home to California.  His last stop was to visit another family member that he desired a heart felt connection with.  It appears that his hearts desires have come true!

I am amazed at how God has orchestrated this entire situation.  "For such a time as this,"...my heart is full and rejoicing at the reality of watching a redeemed situation unfold before my eyes and heart. It gives me courage to continue to live in hope.

One day at a time, one moment at a time, there is always HOPE!

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find ; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  1John 5:14

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

If you have a story about an answered prayer for a family member I would love to hear from you! 

 

New Windows

I never thought I would be excited over new windows, however, today our home received NEW WINDOWS and they are beautiful.  Our home is older, built in the 80's, and the windows were original (that is something else I never thought I would consider-older is the 80's).  A few windows were stuck shut and unable to open and all the windows had major drafts in the winter.  I had a bag of rags I kept in the garage and every winter I would place them on the top and bottom of each window in an attempt to keep the heat in.  I am sure with the Tennessee humidity and heat we have in the summer, we lost a lot of cool air in the summer through those little drafts as well. 

Even though I diligently placed the rags on the window sills, I know the rags did not completely cover the cold draft or keep our cool air in during the summer.  I look forward to seeing our next heat and air bill (something else I never thought I would say) The rags acted like a band aide to something that really required surgery. The rags worked for a season and I am grateful that season is over. I know we will see a significant difference in our bill and we have added value to our home.

How often in our spiritual lives do we place rags where a serious repair or investment needs to be done.  The rag can cover something and even help a little, however the root or underlining need is still there.  For example a quick prayer is better than no prayer, but a quality prayer time is best.  Or what about reading our Bibles, maybe we read a devotion or a christian book, which is good and needed however, digging deep into God's word should be a priority.  How about fellowship, are you intentional and willing to take your mask off or do you have walls built around you in fear of rejection?

There are seasons in our life when all we can do is place a cover up on a much needed repair and the Lord knows our heart and motive.  However, when the Lord opens the door for the repair or investment I encourage you to make sure and take full advantage of  it and enjoy the benefits of digging deeper in a new season!

"And do not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, which is good and acceptable and perfect"  Romans 12:2

Ps I would like to thank  Randolph Moore from Centurion Stone & Exteriors for our beautiful new windows!  click here for information

  

Prayer

I recently recieved an urgent prayer request from a family member who said they could not go into specifics right now, but they were requesting prayer.  I know that it's not important for me to know what the prayer is about  in order for me to pray, however, when it comes to family, it does cause a little more anxiety when you don't know exactly what you are praying for. It turned out, it was in deed, a big prayer request, and it was not complelty answered the way the family member wanted, however, it was also not as bad as they anticipated either. So, in other words, we are still praying and hoping for God's will and intervention in this situation. We are also very grateful that it was not the worst case scenario.

As I was thinking about prayer, I realized something, prayer is not a means to change God's will, plan, or His purpose. Prayer is a tool to draw us nearer to Him. It's a form of communication between us and the Father. Since we do not know God's perfect will for each prayer request that we pray, our faith must be strong enough to carry us, even when God's will is not the same as our will (desire). 

If we are praying and seeking God, no matter what His will, purpose, or plan is, with a pure heart, He will give us the strength, courage, wisdom, discernment, and comfort we need with each prayer request.

We are not promised a life without trials, tribulations, grief, tests, or sorrows. We ARE promised if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.  

James 4:8 a Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Israel Bound!

It is hard to believe that the day is almost here!  I leave tomorrow (Saturday September 24th) for Israel!  I remember when I *knew* I was going.  I have known for a while I would go to Israel, however, I had no idea it would this year.  I was meeting with my Women's Ministry Director about my speaking ministry and she said, "you know, I feel strongly that every person who represents the Gospel and shares their testimony or speaks, should at some point, go to Israel."  I recall nodding my head in agreement and thinking, I agree and I hope to go someday.  Then she continued talking about the trip and as she began detailing the trip as a Biblical Study program and not a tourist trip, my heart began to beat fast. I asked a few questions and the next thing I know my heart was racing and I KNEW I was supposed to go on this trip.  We agreed I would go home and discuss it with my husband and pray about it.  

It seemed impossible for me to go right now.  Financially we didn't have the money needed and there were other details to work out.  Little by little the Lord began to open the door of peace for my husband and me and we both knew I was supposed to go. I knew the money would a faith issue for us. 

I mentioned the trip to one of my best friends and thought how amazing it would be to take this spiritual journey with her. She was excited and agreed to pray.  We talked a few days later and she said she thought the answer was a "no".  I felt in my heart she was supposed to go and I said so to her. She said she felt it as well, but she could not see a way to come up with the finances. We agreed to pray more and seek God's will.  A few days later she called me and said, "I am going!" I screamed with excitement so loud that I am sure the entire neighborhood heard me!

As the Lord always does; He provided every penny for her and me. Not necessarily in the ways we expected, but none the less, He provided.

Our group of twenty will be venturing to Israel September 24-October 7th. 

Please keep us and our families in your prayers.  I will add the note and itinerary I posted on Facebook below.  I will do my best to update my Facebook. When I return,I hope to have many stories and photos to share with you.

Thank you for taking time to read this.  I genuinely appreciate your prayers!

There is always HOPE!

 here is the letter & itinerary

Hello friends and family!

I have been participating in a nine month Biblical Study Program that ends with a two week stay in Israel!  I will be gone 9/24/11-10/07/11.

I am asking for prayer as I travel and also for my husband and son as they will be home.  I will post day to day on fb and post a few photos when possible.  I look forward to writing about my experience and posting all photos when I return!

Here is the itinerary: (*each day is a FULL day event and includes lots of walking)

Day 1  9/24 Depart USA  (13 hr flight)

Day 2  9/25 Arrive Tel Aviv travel to Jerusalem

Day 3  9/26  Theme: Ancient Jerusalem:  explore ancient Jerusalem of Abraham through Nehemiah, Temple Mount excavations, City of David excavations, Western Wall, Kidron and Hinnom Valley

Day 4   9/27  Theme: The House of David:  Travel to Hebron to visit Machpelah and discuss burial site of the patriarchs and early capital of David. Then continue to Herodium, Shepherds Field, and Bethlehem as we focus on the birth of Jesus in fulfillment of the promises to David

Day 5   9/28   Theme:  Palm Sunday, Passover, and Trials:  A morning walk to the Mount of Olives from Bethany to the Kidron Valley will provide the context for understanding the raising of Lazarus and Palm Sunday.  The afternoon journey will concentrate on the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord as we visit the Holy Sepulcher and Garden Tomb

Day 6   9/29  Theme:  Joshua and the Conquest:  Travel to Jericho, Shilo, Jacobs Well, and Mt. Gerizim as we study Joshua's entrance into the Promised Land

Day 7  9/30  Theme:  Exodus   An investigation of the Biblical events and places in the Negev and Wilderness of Zin which were significant to the Exodus

Day 8  10/1  Theme:  Joshua, Judges, and Kings:  An investigation of the Biblical events and places in the Shephelah of Judah which were significant to Joshua, Judges, and Kings. Special emphasis will be placed on Biblical activities which occurred at Jericho, Gibeon, Bet-Sheesh (Samson), and Elah Valley (David and Goliath)

Day 9  10/2  Theme: The Place of Refuge:  The wilderness of Judah functions as a place of defense and refuge. Visits to Masada, Ein Gedi and Qumran

Day 10  10/3  Theme:  The Northern Regions:  Biblical events which occurred in the Golan Heights and upper Galilee Regions will be discussed and we will examine places as Gamla, Caesarea, Philippi, and Dan

Day 11   10/4  Theme:  Galilee of the Nations:  Travel through Jezreel Valley to sites including Beth Shan, Mount Gilboa (Gideon), Mount Moreh (Elisha) and Mount Tabor (Deborah) and Nazareth

Day 12   10/5  Theme:  Jesus and the Sea of Galilee  Taking the boat across the Sea of Galilee will set the stage as we prepare for a thorough understanding of the sites and activities related to ministry of Jesus around the sea.  Capernaum, Chorazin, Magdala and Arbel Cliffs will be visited

Day 13  10/6  Theme:  International Coastal Highway:  Investigation of Biblical events significant to the international coastal highway. Specific points of inquiry will be at Megiddo and Caesrea Maritma.....prepare for travel to airport to return to USA (13 hr flight)

Day 14  10/7 Return to USA hug and kiss my family!

*we will also be going to the Jordan River and will have the opportunity to be baptized-not sure which day yet

31 Days of Hope Day 18

Yesterday we talked about the letter H in the word HOPE and today we will focus on the letter O. 

O is for over analyzing.  How often when we are hoping for something to happen or for something to change, do we over analyze and try to make it happen ourselves? I don't know about you, but I have done this a time or two, well, OK maybe more than that :)

When we allow ourselves to get caught up in the trap of over analyzing something we are not walking in faith. We are trying to figure out all of the ways and means to get what we want. The lesson I have learned is that I need to first commit to prayer then depending on what I am hoping for, I may seek accountability and additional prayer support.

There is a fine line in wisdom and over analyzing something.  We should gain information and think through decisions, however, if you are like me, I can get caught up in the hundred ways something could happen or the extra details that are not necessary. 


For moments like this I encourage you to focus on these scriptures:

"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. "Trust in the LORD forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock  Isaiah 26:3-4

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD Jeremiah 17:7

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  James 1:5-6

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

Let's challenge one another to stop over analyzing what we have hope for, and lets focus on the Lord's will and trusting His plan for our lives.  We need to have wisdom and insight, but once we have it, we need to move forward in our HOPE!