Weekly prayer - Relationship

This week's prayer is for understanding what it means to your husband to be a good wife to him. Remember, each person is different, and therefore each marriage has unique needs.

Father,

I come to You today to ask You to open my heart and mind. Speak to me, tell me what it means to Eddie to be a good wife. Have I missed something? Please give me wisdom in this area and a receiving spirit to hear You. In Jesus' most precious name. Amen.

Bible in 90 days - Day 25 check in

Today is day 25 of Read the Bible in 90 Days. Except for today's reading, I'm totally caught up. I did have a couple of days this week where I fell behind due to, well, laziness. But, this week's reading was easy to catch up. David happens to be one of my favorite Bible heroes. Oh, to have a heart like his! Wouldn't you like to be known as a person after God's heart? I know I do.

Where do you do your reading? For me, I like to settle in on my sofa with a glass of water (or whatever), my new kitty on my side, blanket on my lap and jump in. I usually do this in the morning, unless it's one of my days to work. Then I wait until about seven o'clock and relax with the Good Book.

I pray everyone is finding time to read The Word each day and not only enjoying it, but learning as well!

TSMSS - Feel The Nails

This week I've chosen "Feel The Nails" by Ray Boltz. This has been done as a special during our worship service several times and it always makes me think and cry. What do you think? Does Jesus feel the nails each time we fail? Oh, how I hope not. I don't know about you, but I fail several times a day. The thought of hurting my Lord and Savior so many times a day brings tears to my eyes.

1st verse

They tell me Jesus died

For my transgressions

That he paid that price a long, long time ago

When he gave his life for me On a hill called Calvary

But there's something else I want to know

Chorus

Does he still feel the nails

Every time I fail

Can he hear the crowd cry "Crucify" again

Am I causing him pain

Then I know I've got to change

I just can't bear the thought of hurting him.

2nd verse

It seems that I'm so good at breaking promises

And I treat his precious grace so carelessly

But each time he forgives

What if he re-lives The agony

He felt on that tree

Chorus 1x

Holy, holy Holy is the Lord

Holy Holy Holy is the Lord

Do you still feel the nails

Every time I fail

Have I crucified you Jesus with my sins

Oh I'm tired of playing games

I really want to change

I never want to hurt you again

Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord

Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord

Weekly prayer

This week, Lori with The Generous Wife, is encouraging us to grab our spouses and hug them and pray for them, especially when we sense a need.

Father,

I pray that you will send Your Holy Spirit down and remind me to pray for Eddie more often. Help me sense his needs, his moods, better. I know that the next few weeks will be difficult for him, and I pray that you will send your peace, comfort, and gentleness upon him. Give me a spirit of understanding and comfort that I may help him during this difficult period. In Jesus' most precious name. Amen.

Thankful Thursday

Jumping back into Thankful Thursday!

It's been a very long time. Seems I just can't keep up these days, yet I really don't know why. (okay, I have ideas, but you really don't want to hear them, now do you? LOL )

I really don't have a theme or long list today.
I'm thankful for my wonderful husband, my family, and most of all, my wonderful savior, Jesus Christ.

I'm thankful I live in a country where (for now) I'm free to worship Jesus and still pray in His name. I'm thankful to Him for His Love, Mercy, and Grace. Without those, this life would be nothing and worthless!

For more Thankful Thursdays, click here.

Bible in 90 days - where are you?

In this post Mom's Toolbox asks these two questions:

1. Why did you decide to read the Bible in 90 days and why are you sticking to it?

2. Have you seen any change in your life as a result of this commitment? If so, what?

My answers:

I originally decided to take the Read the Bible in 90 days challenge because I wanted to be held accountable for my reading/study periods. I enjoy reading the Bible - most of it. I admit there are parts I just don't enjoy - you know, the names I cannot pronounce, all the numbers and lineage. But, it is God's Word, and everything is in this Book for a reason. One of my goals this year is to work harder on my relationship with my Savior, and reading His Book is one very good way to do that (prayer being number two). I'm sticking with this, because this is my top priority now, and always. Without Jesus' love and sacrifice, this life is nothing!

I've seen subtle changes in my life, as a result of the work Jesus is doing in me. Most of the time I am happier (I do battle depression daily). I want to represent the Love of Christ to each person I meet. I am more patient and not as quick to react to outside struggles. The place I work is stressful at times, and more than ninety percent of my coworkers are not believers. I need the Lord's help just to get through the day without throwing things! I have found that each day I'm feeling a little better about things.

If you are one that is struggling, please let me know. I'll add your name to my prayer list. Please do not give up. I've done that in the past. While it's a struggle to fit in the time to read this much material each day, you will find it worth it in the long run. The only idea I have for you is try breaking up the reading into smaller sections, especially when you get to those dry parts. When I find my mind wandering, I get up and get a fresh glass of water (or something), and send up a small prayer. This helps me quite a bit.

Read the Bible in 90 Days - Update

As you can probably tell, I have given up trying to post my thoughts about each days reading. I'm more worried about keeping up with the daily reading. Some days I do real well, and other days I'm just too tired (or whatever is my excuse) to stay on top of things. I have found on those days that the reading is a little "dry", if I read in stages I get more done. Other days I just can't seem to stop. But, thanks be to Jesus, I'm up to date on my reading!

I seem to have the same thought through much of my reading - thank You Jesus for willingly shedding your blood and dying on the Cross for a sinner like me. Without His sacrifice, life would be oh so different!

What are your thoughts on this? Aren't you excited that Jesus became the perfect Lamb for us? I know I am!

Weekly prayer - Sleep

This week's prayer theme is sleep. Please pray that your spouse will have restful sleep and pleasant dreams.

Father,
I lift Eddie to You. I ask that you provide him with restful sleep periods, allowing him to wake rested and refreshed, ready for a new day. I pray he will be free bad dreams and that You would speak to his heart and mind during these rest periods. Thank You again for bringing such a God-fearing man into my life! In Jesus' most precious name, Amen.

TSMSS -

This has become my new favorite song. I just cannot listen to this one without shedding tears. Please read the lyrics and really think about them! (I don't believe this are full lyrics, but the best I could find.)

Up Calvary’s mountain one dreadful morn
Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn
Facing for sinners death on the cross
That He might save them from endless loss

Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me

“Father, forgive them,” my Savior prayed
Even while His lifeblood flowed fast away
Praying for sinners while in such woe
No one but Jesus ever loved so

Dying for me

Oh how I love Him, Savior and friend
How can my praises ever find end
Through years unnumbered on Heaven’s shore
My songs shall praise Him forevermore

For me Then Sings My Soul, visit Amy here.

Read Through the Bible in 90 Days: Day Three

As you can tell, I'm behind in my blogging (as usual!). I am, however, up to date with my reading, which, of course, is what counts!
Day three takes us from Genesis 28:20 to Genesis 40:11. Here are some of my thoughts:

• While things can divert God's will - sins, mistakes, etc. - Nothing can defeat God's will. HE will provide other channels to carry out His ultimate will. (Laban deceived and cheated Jacob many times, but, ultimately Jacob did take his family and settle in Shecham.

• A question I had: "Did God allow Jacob to be deceived b Laban so he could understand the deceit he caused his father?" I know the Lord forgives our sins, but He still disciplines us, because He is a loving Father.
• As humans, we want instant success and gratifications. But, God knows that tests and trials (and sometimes suffering) help us grow not only in strength and wisdom, but faith. We need to be reminded that we rely on God, not our own strength. - Using Joseph as an example - Joseph was faithful to God and victorious over temptation, but he was sold as a slave and then put in prison for that faithfulness.
  

Weekly prayer - Kindness

This week's prayer topic came to mind after some deep (and painful) soul searching. When speaking with my husband this past week, I admitted to him that I had not completely submitted all of myself to him. We've been married almost nine years, and I still had a hidden fear of lose or pain may still be coming. Being the wonderful, patient, and kind man that he is, he confessed he knew this. Wow, talk about mind blowing! I thought for sure he would he mad, scold, or argue with me about my thoughts (reasons) on the subject. Instead he just asked what I wanted to do about it. "Pray" was my answer. You see, this is something I cannot do on my own. I need the Lord's help. I cannot tell you how much lighter and happier I feel now. I less than a week, the Lord has shown me I can do this. Even if pain or hurt comes (and it will in some form, weather it be loss or just plain not getting along), my Heavenly Father will always be there for me! So, with that said:

Father,
I admit my faults and mistakes to You. I thank You that You know these already, and love me anyway. Thank You for showing them to me, and I beg You to help me put the hurt and pain from my past away. Today is a new day! I am so truly blessed to have a husband that loves me, honors me, and cherishes me. I cannot thank You enough for him. I ask that you fill me with your gentleness and show me how to show kindness to my wonderful mate. Not stopping there Lord, I ask You to show me how to be kind to others, especially those that do not show kindness to me. I know this will be hard, and I will make mistakes. Please forgive me ahead of time, and remind me that I need to go on and try harder the next time. I long to be a true Disciple of Christ. In His most precious name. Amen.

TSMSS - Open The Eyes Of My Heart

It's been a very long time since I've been able to participate in Then Sings My Soul Saturday. Oh, how I've missed all the wonderful people and music! My husband and I went without Internet for some time, and now we have dial-up, so uploading anything is next to impossible. So, for now, I will just post the words to some of my favorite songs. Today I've chosen "Open The Eyes of My Heart" (thinking of the Michael W Smith version).

My prayer is that the Lord will open the eyes of my (and your) heart this year. I want to see Him high and lifted up!


Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
(Repeat two more times)
Holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy,
I want to see you
(Repeat five more times)

Click here to see more TSMSS's

Read Through the Bible in 90 Days: Day Two

Day two of Read The Bible in 90 Days takes us from Genesis 17:1 to Genesis 28:19.

My thoughts for today's reading:

• Even those with great faith have moments of doubt. Even Abraham laughed when the Lord told him he would a father of many. This gives me strength as I look toward the future, not knowing what may come, wondering "can it really get worse" and how I will deal with it.
• Nothing is too great (or small) for God. Sarah was well past child bearing age when she gave birth to Isaac.
• God protects and provides for those that follow Him. The Lord provided the lamb when Abraham listened to His instructions to sacrifice Isaac. The Lord provided a well of water for Hagar after she was forced from Abraham's camp. God provided a wife for Isaac when
  Abraham sent his servant back to his father's people, knowing a wife from the people of the land were not suitable.
  
• God will discipline His people when they choose to hurt others. Jacob was forced to flee his home when he (twice) cheated his brother Esau. I believe the Lord disciplines us to save us from eternal harm.

Again, today's reading shows us that the Lord God loves us, wants to have a relationship and fellowship with us. While none of us are perfect (there was only ONE perfect one), we should strive to be more like HIM every day.

I know my thoughts are scrambled today, please forgive me. While I read this section and wrote notes on Saturday, that is the one day I do not use the computer. Instead, I spend my free time with my hubby. This is his one true day off, so we keep it between us! :)

Read Through the Bible in 90 Days: Day One

Okay, it's officially the new year, time to "start new" and make resolutions. I don't usually make resolutions upon the new year, as I found earlier in life I'm just not good at long range goals. (you know...loose 25 pounds by a date, organize the house by such and such date...) This year, however, I've make two resolutions.

• Spend more time with God both in reading/study time as well as prayer time. (Both written and "out-loud" prayers)
• Work harder on becoming a true help-meet to my husband.
  

So, for resolution one, I'm joining in with Mom's Toolbox to Read the Bible in 90 Days.
Day one's reading was the first 12 pages of the Bible in 90 Days Bible, or Genesis, chapters 1-16.

Here are some of my thoughts:

• The story of creation reveals God's creativity, majesty, and love. Most awe-inspiring to me is that God spoke everything into being, except man. He took the time to form Adam in His likeness and then breathed life into him! Wow!
• Cain represents the hardness that appears when the heat is on and consequences set in, and we do not accept responsibility for our actions. Instead we should identify sin, confess it, avoid it at all costs, and refrain from it. Do not dwell on things that God has forgotten!
• God wants us to be like Noah. Stand up against sin, at all costs, even if we are alone. (Pray for friends whom will stand with you)
• Abram, a man of faith. He head out, from the land of his fathers, at the age of 75, having no idea where he was headed, but knew God would provide and keep His promise to make Abram the father of many nations.

I have more notes, but these are the key points for me.
What did you gleam from your reading today?