Prayer Request Sunday...

Hello sweet friends...how was your week?

  I certainly hope it was better than mine, as I have been battling a stomach virus.  

Praise God, only two of us have gotten it...out of ten, that is nothing but the touch of God!

Any burdens you want to lift to our Father together this week?

Much to share this coming week...please stop by again and we will catch up.

Much love!

                Wondering if any of you my friends and readers are into couponing.  Everyone who bumps into me tells me that I should jump in and become a couponing girl.  As I mainly shop in Sam's Club (versus a normal grocery store-well for the past 5 or so years)...I am not sure about coupons anymore.

Anyone feeling like they want to pass me some beginning tips-that would fast pace me to couponing genius?

I'd love to hear from you on this, come on don't be shy all of those of you who are normally so quiet!  There is hidden talent awaiting to surface and be shared...won't you? 

  I'd love to get groceries for virtually free...

but where is a Mama to begin?

Bible Study Helps

Blue Letter Bible

I highly recommend this wonderful site.  It is full of all kinds of helps for studying your Bible.  If you want different versions of the Bible at the touch of your hand, just click away.

John

If you click on John you will see small blue squares with a letter in each box.  The first letter in the top row is a K.  This stands for Treasury of Scripture Knowledge-Basically this pulls apart words and phrases that are also found elsewhere in Scripture.

Next is a C- this stands for Concordance and it is also a Hebrew/Greek Lexicon.  A Concordance is a great study tool it takes every single word (in alphabetical order) and tells you where you can find it in scripture. It can help you locate a verse that you don't know the chapter or verse for.  The Lexicon feature allows you to look at each word (by their number assigned to them) in the original:
either Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament).
I love this feature and use it all the time.

The next handy-dandy letter is L, this leads to commentaries, both in audio/video and in written study form. As you can see there is a drop down bar located to the top....click on this and scroll to find what would help you in your study, highlight it and click on GO!

Next tiny icon is a musical note...this leads you to music/hymns. Again this comes to you from a long drop down menu- click on it and highlight your choice, click Go to arrive safely at your destination ;-) Not all verses have this option available.

The V button gives you various translations and versions of the verse you've chosen.

I am showing you John 1:1 in various translations.

For other versions (like the Amplified version- which Joyce Meyer uses, or The Message...) I like Biblegateway.com.  You use the pull down menu bar near the top of the website, click on the little blue down arrow (next to the search bar) and it will drop down all the translations they offer.

And last but not least is the Dictionary Aid icon.  This will bring a drop down menu for your verse and let you dig a little deeper in other texts (encyclopedia's, topical Bible...)

Hope this helps you dig a little deeper into the Word.

2 Timothy 2:15 (*thanks Elias! for fixing my typo!)

 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Prayer Request Sunday

Gathering up prayer requests...
do you have any?

Sharing my heart:

I found out yesterday that my beloved Picnik (photo editing site) is closing down as of April 19th. 

I am heartbroken, as it was a source of such joy for me over the past several years. I found it a release of the pent up artist inside of me.  I loved tinkering with their program and truly loved it.  Oh how sad I am.

Prior to using Picnik Premium, I dabbled with Photoshop Elements.  I didn't enjoy using the Elements program, because honestly I just couldn't figure it out.  Back then I had a friend who tried to walk me through it, but even then it was a huge struggle to end up with what I wanted.

Would you pray that I would be able to find some other program before this online one is no more? Something that will let me use the artistic side that God has blessed me with, but one that won't rob me of hours of time.

And just so you know, when my 20 year old daughter told me yesterday I cried. Yes, I know that there are far more terrible things that people go through, but this is like losing a dear friend whom I love.  

I pondered closing up my blog, as most of my pictures get a few moments being tweaked before their deposit here. It makes blogging more fun for me.

I am in prayer asking God if my time is up...perhaps? 

Or maybe in His love and mercy He will send me a Photoshop mentor (knowing instruction manuals don't really work for my visual artistic learning style.)

Your Best Quality/Characteristic?

I am reading The True Measure of a Woman by Lisa Bevere, which a friend kindly passed on to me yesterday.  As I lay in front of my fireplace long after all children disappeared into their beds, I came across these questions that left me wondering.

1. What do you consider the most valuable quality about you?

2.  What is your most unique characteristic?

I suddenly froze up mentally and couldn't come up with anything.  My Knight sat in a chair a few feet away, busy in his own reading, so I decided to not interrupt this precious quiet time he was enjoying.  However, I sat before the Lord asking Him what the answers could be.  I haven't heard anything yet, but wonder if answering these questions come easily to you?

Guess What God Did!

Yesterday I shared this.

At the end of the day I decided to call the company the young man worked for to see how he and his finger were.  A sweet receptionist answered and giggling told me the young man's name was Jeff and that his finger sealed up just fine!  He was able to proceed on with his day, without missing a beat.

Now the funny thing is that I just said he cut his finger at my house and I was wondering if he decided to go get stitches (and if he was okay now).  She used the word "sealed," when talking about the gash in Jeff's finger.  It was the same word that I had prayed over Jeff that morning in my bathroom, as I laid my hands on him.  

MY GOD SEALED UP JEFF'S FINGER!

We asked Him and He did it!  

Yahoo!  Isn't that amazing!  Wondering how Jeff is processing it all, considering his response when asked if he'd like me to pray was, "Yeah, that would be good."  

Dancing and rejoicing that I got to see a miracle...it's my first, but now I kinda like it and am ready to jump back in!  God sealed up that young man's hand, why?  Because we bowed our hearts toward Him and asked in the name of Jesus,  how cool is that!!!

John 14: 12-14

Most assuredly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do,

he will do also; and greater works than these will he do;

because I am going to my Father. 

Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do,

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.

...but I am ...Only a Homeschooling Mama

subtitled: 

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
WHERE GOD HAS PLANTED YOU!

I've got a cool God story to share with you today. 

This morning 2 guys showed up at my house to fix my water system.  The older guy who was the leader of this team, well his name was Mike.  The second man was just barely into his twenties I'd say, and didn't share his name.  Both men were super polite and smiley.  

I pointed them in the direction of the water filtration system and off they went.  Up and down the stairs they came, gathering more materials from their truck. My kitchen was filled with homeschooling children, the men took notice, but kept about their work.  

Then the younger man appeared, he was clutching his left hand and there was blood.  He quietly asked for a Band-aid.  I looked at him and said, "Hold on I will be right back."  I tipped my head over the stairs and asked what size Band-aid he might be needing."

He replied that a couple might be good.

I bolted upstairs, leaving him standing there with my younger children.  I came back with a package of Band-aids and told him he should wash it well first (hey, I am a mother!)

He said it would be fine, but he was a bit shaky. Which is funny, because it is usually me that is shaky when blood is the topic of conversation or is coming out for all  to see.

I pointed to the bathroom and grabbed him some paper towels.  As he washed his finger and began to dry it, I told him I was a Christian and asked him if I could pray for him.  

He shyly smiled, but nodded and added, "That might be a good idea."

We both bowed our heads in my bathroom, I laid my hand on his shoulder and called to the One who could stop the blood flow and let this sweet young man go on his day without a trip to the E.R.  My prayer sounded something like this:

Father,

I thank you for this day and that you are here with us. 

I thank you that you can seal up this finger and allow my friend to go forward with his days work.  Lord, I thank you that you are able.  I pray that you would bless this young man.  

In Jesus' name amen.

The Band-aid was rather bloody.  I asked him if he wanted me to take a closer look at it, to see if he might truly need some stitches.  He said if it didn't stop that he would go get it stitched up.  

I offered to take him right now, so his friend wouldn't have to stop their work plans.  

He smiled widely, but said, "Mike can take me if I need to go."  I think he smiled because he knew I was ready to grab the keys and take care of him.

I told him he could leave- my job wasn't so important now.

And that was that.

When he came back up I offered him some ibuprofen, but he said he had some in the truck.  He apologized for having a mishap so early in the morning.  I smiled and said he was more important than my water problem.

Some days I feel like my field of influence is so small.  Sometimes it feels like it doesn't even exist, but this morning the Holy Spirit allowed me to plant seeds in these two peoples lives.  Today God gave me Kingdom business right in the place where so much everyday routine happens.  Today He gave me the nudge to go beyond the band-aid to this young man's heart. 

Today I said yes and am so glad I did!

And i smiled real big just thinking about that.

A Little Patience Please God

I pray for patience because if I prayed for strength,

I just might kill somebody.

I heard this last week and cracked up.

Parenting is the hardest job I ever had.  It is one that doesn't give you any holidays and rarely do I find time for a break. I hustle from the moment my feet hit the floor (which is why sometimes I am slow to put my feet down on the floor ;-)  Many mornings I lie in bed and pray.  I ask God to help me through the day, to help me to train my children wisely for Him.  I pray for insight into their hearts, never mind the solutions to the math problems of the day.

Sometimes if I am really struggling to get out of bed, I pray that Starbucks will hurry up and get the pipeline to my bedroom. (Hey...they have a pipeline for oil in Alaska!)

This bridge photo reminds me that though I've hit a tough spot in parenting this last year, that God has a bridge coming.  This said bridge, will take me from some troubled parenting times,  and will bring me safely to the other side; to a place of peace and blessing.  

My bridge has a name.  Do you know it?  

My bridges name is Jesus.  

My trust is in Him.  

He promises to give me wise counsel, He is praying for me as He sits beside our Father. 

He enables me to walk out this calling of mothering 8 children. 

He knows my broken parts; as well as theirs.  

This bridge is solid and is trustworthy. 

He has set my path (even when I am going through hard times)

and promises to never leave me or forsake me.  

Can someone say Hallelujah!

Don't get so busy that you forget to call out to Him for help.  

Don't forget that as you are speaking to Him (that is what prayer is), 

that He is strengthening you for the day's path.  

Luke 1:78-79

(from the HNV Bible)

Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,

To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death;

To guide our feet into the way of shalom." 

Anything we can pray about?

Do I Need a Rice Cooker?

Do any of you have a rice cooker? 

Do you use it? 

I am pondering getting one- any suggestions as to yeah or nay?

A confession:  I am not the best rice cook.

From the Land of Vague

Transparency is a gift.

Often times I catch a moment or two to read a few blogs, sometimes I have stumbled upon them, sometimes I am lead strongly.  Many times I wonder what is going on behind the facade of words.  Where is  the pain stemming from, what is it that they are hiding.

I am one who wonders.  Actually my Knight says he doesn't know anyone who ponders or uses the word ponder more than I do.  I often ponder what is hurting the person behind the post. The one who dares to have a blog, yet continues to dig and hide behind vague entries that allude to trouble or difficulty in life, yet refuses to actually hit the nail on the head.

I do understand one must be careful sometimes with what one reveals and to whom it is revealed.  However, I do think there are many times we need to be transparent, so we can minister or be ministered to. 

There I said it.  

I hope that this will touch some who find their way here, to my own pile of words and pictures.  I pray that as you read this, if this is you and you feel the Spirit nudging you to move into the opportunity of transparency, that you will heed the nudge.

Words can bring life. 

Lack of words that are honest can bring imprisonment.

I encourage you to take a good hard look at what it is or isn't that you are sharing.  Could there be something that you should be sharing that could benefit someone else?  Is there something that you need to share, so that you can get it out into the light so it stops controlling you?  

I know there is someone who needs to hear this.  I am going to go listen to God and see if there isn't some way that it might be me that He is asking to be more transparent.  

transparent: definition from Noah Webster 1828 dictionary

1. Having the property of transmitting rays of light so that bodies can be distinctly seen through.

2. Admitting the passage of light

now to get it so it is really clear...

Matthew 5: 14-16 (The Message Bible)

Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.