Heavenly Father, You are Good, You are Truth, You are Mighty, You are Lord! I give you praise and thanksgiving for the many who have encouraged me by joining in this time of prayer for our country. I knew Satan was hard at work when I began having thoughts of doubt that these prayers could really change a corrupt and stubborn atmosphere in Washington. Oh God, forgive me when I doubt! I cling in great confidence to the truth that You alone are God, You are on Your throne and You hear our prayers. I believe You are present in this land! I believe Your Light can consume Washington and conquer the darkness that looms there.
I ask today that you spread that Light to each member of the House and the Senate, to their staff, and to their families. I pray Your Truth be present in committee meetings, in negotiations, in interviews and hearings. God, we ask that you convict the hearts of your people, that they would seek humility and wisdom. We know Satan has flooded the chambers over the years with lies. We pray that Your Holy Spirit reveal truth in every area because we know that you have set up authority for our good and we so desperately want Your goodness for our nation. We pray for the hearts of each member of congress, that when truth is revealed they be bold in speaking that truth, even at the expense of popularity polls. God, may Your Truth ring loudly throughout those halls!
I pray their voices become Your voice, that they would seek You and Your wisdom throughout their days. I pray that Your Word, Your absolute Truth would become their moral compass for leadership. We thank you that we live in a country with freedoms, with respect for others, and with a common desire to do good things. Work through our leaders to protect these things. Help us to see value in others, even those we don't agree with on policies, help us to see Your image created in them. Forgive us when we resort to hateful talk and name calling. Forgive us when we get caught up in who has the bigger scandal or who is more at fault.
I pray that as each seat in the House and the Senate comes up for re-election, that you would raise up Godly leaders to infiltrate congress and lead our country to be a people that will work together to do good and to be a light. Protect the families of our congressional leaders and encourage them. Their lives must at times seem consumed with politics and power struggles. When they look for ways to get away from it all, we pray that would choose to do so wisely, that they would first seek you and that their family would be a source of encouragement and refreshment. Help our leaders to lead with servant hearts seeking good, not power.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Praying for Our President
The President of the United States of America...the obvious place to start this journey of 40 days of intentional prayer for our country.
I pray today for President Obama and the role of leadership he has in our country. He is faced with information on a routine basis that I can't even begin to fathom. I pray that in the midst of it all, it become very evident to him that God is alive and working and reigning over every bit of it. May there be accounts of situations come through that pipeline of information that can only be explained by the fact that God is working.
God, we want You to be the source of his direction and wisdom. Would you surround him with people and situations that continue to point to you? As an outsider looking in, it appears the whole Washington bunch has become so corrupt and hungry for power that not one of them can see past their own flesh. We ask today that you begin a movement there, that your name be spoken in that city in a way that brings out angel armies and win the hearts of the people there. Today we pray that armies of angels begin with our President, work their way from the White House out into the city.
I thank you, Father, that President Obama is a family man. Though I don't know what family time looks like for them these days, it is obvious when he speaks of them that he loves and enjoys them. Protect them all from harm and danger, from selfish desires and corrupt influences, which often times are more detrimental than a terrorist plot. I pray you would be revealed to each member of that family in ways that cannot be explained away by anything else. I pray that Obama would lead his family in love and that they in turn would be a blessing to him to come home to. I pray you would fill his home with laughter, that it would be a place of refuge in the midst of these storms. I pray that you would give him rest and solitude and that in those times especially Your words, Your truth would be a very clear presence in his thoughts.
I pray that in the midst of many impossible decisions, he would value and appreciate life and recognize that it is only given by You, our creator. Give him a supernatural measure of respect and insight into each person he comes in contact with. We won't always agree with our leaders, but we don't want to see them fail. Failure in any form would mean watching people we know and love in this country hurt in some way. So I pray for strong leadership, for clear discernment, and for a gracious respect for others.
We know evil loves to linger where there is power, and in Washington there is much power. Today I pray for enlightenment! I pray that You and Your desires for every person in this country be LIT UP in Washington. I pray that Your goodness be so bright in that place that it gives evil no place to hide. I pray that Your radiance, Your goodness, Your holiness, Your truth BLIND our leaders and that it starts with the one who holds the office of President of the United States of America.
Amen.
If you have more prayers to offer up for our President, please comment below. I would love to join you in praying for him throughout the day.
I pray today for President Obama and the role of leadership he has in our country. He is faced with information on a routine basis that I can't even begin to fathom. I pray that in the midst of it all, it become very evident to him that God is alive and working and reigning over every bit of it. May there be accounts of situations come through that pipeline of information that can only be explained by the fact that God is working.
God, we want You to be the source of his direction and wisdom. Would you surround him with people and situations that continue to point to you? As an outsider looking in, it appears the whole Washington bunch has become so corrupt and hungry for power that not one of them can see past their own flesh. We ask today that you begin a movement there, that your name be spoken in that city in a way that brings out angel armies and win the hearts of the people there. Today we pray that armies of angels begin with our President, work their way from the White House out into the city.
I thank you, Father, that President Obama is a family man. Though I don't know what family time looks like for them these days, it is obvious when he speaks of them that he loves and enjoys them. Protect them all from harm and danger, from selfish desires and corrupt influences, which often times are more detrimental than a terrorist plot. I pray you would be revealed to each member of that family in ways that cannot be explained away by anything else. I pray that Obama would lead his family in love and that they in turn would be a blessing to him to come home to. I pray you would fill his home with laughter, that it would be a place of refuge in the midst of these storms. I pray that you would give him rest and solitude and that in those times especially Your words, Your truth would be a very clear presence in his thoughts.
I pray that in the midst of many impossible decisions, he would value and appreciate life and recognize that it is only given by You, our creator. Give him a supernatural measure of respect and insight into each person he comes in contact with. We won't always agree with our leaders, but we don't want to see them fail. Failure in any form would mean watching people we know and love in this country hurt in some way. So I pray for strong leadership, for clear discernment, and for a gracious respect for others.
We know evil loves to linger where there is power, and in Washington there is much power. Today I pray for enlightenment! I pray that You and Your desires for every person in this country be LIT UP in Washington. I pray that Your goodness be so bright in that place that it gives evil no place to hide. I pray that Your radiance, Your goodness, Your holiness, Your truth BLIND our leaders and that it starts with the one who holds the office of President of the United States of America.
Amen.
If you have more prayers to offer up for our President, please comment below. I would love to join you in praying for him throughout the day.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Really Messy Politics
So over the last six or seven years I have become increasingly more intrigued by our government and the way our country is run. I have developed an appreciation for knowing more about the state of our nation and what it will mean in days to come for our children. I was thrilled last year to have won the school "lottery" and get to travel with my then 4th grader to our state capitol in Austin, TX. In fact, when we got home late that night and her dad asked how her trip was, I couldn't shut up. I loved it! I enjoy watching the news and occasionally listening to talk radio, whether I agree with the stance of the organization delivering the news or not.
Most recently though, my fascination and intrigue has turned into concern and confusion. I have watched as our government has progressed from pushing their agendas and eventually working through a compromise to a complete two-year-old stomp your feet and throw your head back tantrum leading to shutdown. We have moved from a country whose people were patriotic and proud because we led in the world with dignity, to a country that I have to imagine has become a joke in the eyes of many who don't live here.
I had lunch with some friends yesterday and we all shared a mutual concern for the direction of our current government (republicans and democrats alike) and the disfunction we are leaving many generations to deal with. It was asked, "What can we do?" And I've been pondering this on a more serious note ever since. We can vote... well we have and whether our candidates won or not, there is not one in office today who is fixing this mess. We can write our leaders... and yes we can and should if we feel so called. There are constituents writing their leaders and I believe there are leaders taking a stance based on the desires of their constituents. But let's be honest, most of them are either more concerned about how the current situation, whatever that may be, will affect either their next run for election or another agenda they hoped to push in the future. We could pray...
I wanted to argue this one in my head yesterday. I wanted to believe that God would hear my prayer but it wouldn't necessarily change anything. Then God put this thought in my head, "Have you tried it? Really tried it?" And I couldn't answer yes. I have prayed for our country throughout my life on different occasions, especially after major traumatic events. I have prayed for our country occasionally when someone else directed me or a group I was in to do so. I have even prayed for our country occasionally on my own when something heavy was weighing on me. But I really couldn't say I had ever devoted myself to prayer for our country, intense, unrelenting prayer.
If ever there was a time, I believe it is now. I may or may not like the decisions our leaders have made to get us to this point but that's not the issue. The issue is that at this moment our leadership, our government is NOT functioning and because of that we are ALL affected. And yes, you and I can continue with our day to day routines for now, but eventually the effects of this will catch up with all of us. For some incredibly unfortunate families, this disfunction has been what I imagine is the most dishonorable disgrace to those who lost their lives in the last few days fighting for our country, protecting our country, making it possible for you and I to continue with our day to day routines.
So I'm in, all-in, to pray for my country intentionally for the next 40 days and I would love some company. I do better with some direction, and so each day I will have a different focus for my prayer. How powerful would it be if many of us joined together during this time to pray intentionally for our country! I would love for you to join me, hold me accountable, and share this idea with your friends and family and encourage them to join us. You can follow this blog to see what I'm focusing my prayer on daily and feel free to share this with others to create a community of believers lifting up our governing leaders together. Please feel free to add the prayers of your heart in the comment section below.
You may know some of my political inclinations toward different policies, but know that it is okay if we don't agree on everything. (This will not be a time for me to air my personal political grievances.) I don't expect my thoughts on how to run a country are the very same as your thoughts and it's probably a good thing that neither you nor I are running this country. But we can be united in this: The people of our world, our country, our states, cities and neighborhoods are all God's children, created in His image. God has established authority in this world, and the leaders we live under are "God's servants for our good". (Romans 13:1-5) Let us pray for their leadership, for their hearts, their families and the incredibly tough decisions many of them make on a daily basis. Let us pray for our leadership in our families and our communities, and that we would have hearts and words that encourage, that submit, and that share Truth in the name of Jesus.
Most recently though, my fascination and intrigue has turned into concern and confusion. I have watched as our government has progressed from pushing their agendas and eventually working through a compromise to a complete two-year-old stomp your feet and throw your head back tantrum leading to shutdown. We have moved from a country whose people were patriotic and proud because we led in the world with dignity, to a country that I have to imagine has become a joke in the eyes of many who don't live here.
I had lunch with some friends yesterday and we all shared a mutual concern for the direction of our current government (republicans and democrats alike) and the disfunction we are leaving many generations to deal with. It was asked, "What can we do?" And I've been pondering this on a more serious note ever since. We can vote... well we have and whether our candidates won or not, there is not one in office today who is fixing this mess. We can write our leaders... and yes we can and should if we feel so called. There are constituents writing their leaders and I believe there are leaders taking a stance based on the desires of their constituents. But let's be honest, most of them are either more concerned about how the current situation, whatever that may be, will affect either their next run for election or another agenda they hoped to push in the future. We could pray...
I wanted to argue this one in my head yesterday. I wanted to believe that God would hear my prayer but it wouldn't necessarily change anything. Then God put this thought in my head, "Have you tried it? Really tried it?" And I couldn't answer yes. I have prayed for our country throughout my life on different occasions, especially after major traumatic events. I have prayed for our country occasionally when someone else directed me or a group I was in to do so. I have even prayed for our country occasionally on my own when something heavy was weighing on me. But I really couldn't say I had ever devoted myself to prayer for our country, intense, unrelenting prayer.
If ever there was a time, I believe it is now. I may or may not like the decisions our leaders have made to get us to this point but that's not the issue. The issue is that at this moment our leadership, our government is NOT functioning and because of that we are ALL affected. And yes, you and I can continue with our day to day routines for now, but eventually the effects of this will catch up with all of us. For some incredibly unfortunate families, this disfunction has been what I imagine is the most dishonorable disgrace to those who lost their lives in the last few days fighting for our country, protecting our country, making it possible for you and I to continue with our day to day routines.
So I'm in, all-in, to pray for my country intentionally for the next 40 days and I would love some company. I do better with some direction, and so each day I will have a different focus for my prayer. How powerful would it be if many of us joined together during this time to pray intentionally for our country! I would love for you to join me, hold me accountable, and share this idea with your friends and family and encourage them to join us. You can follow this blog to see what I'm focusing my prayer on daily and feel free to share this with others to create a community of believers lifting up our governing leaders together. Please feel free to add the prayers of your heart in the comment section below.
You may know some of my political inclinations toward different policies, but know that it is okay if we don't agree on everything. (This will not be a time for me to air my personal political grievances.) I don't expect my thoughts on how to run a country are the very same as your thoughts and it's probably a good thing that neither you nor I are running this country. But we can be united in this: The people of our world, our country, our states, cities and neighborhoods are all God's children, created in His image. God has established authority in this world, and the leaders we live under are "God's servants for our good". (Romans 13:1-5) Let us pray for their leadership, for their hearts, their families and the incredibly tough decisions many of them make on a daily basis. Let us pray for our leadership in our families and our communities, and that we would have hearts and words that encourage, that submit, and that share Truth in the name of Jesus.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Father's Day: A Small Tribute to DAD
It's the day before Father's Day and I have kept my eye on this weekend on the calendar for the last year. It was the night after Father's Day last year that we got that unexpected phone call that turned my world upside down in an instant, though it took much longer than an instant for the news to sink in. We are a few days away from the one year mark which ironically is right around Father's Day. So today I sit for a few minutes to put into words a few of the millions of thoughts that have been swarming in my head the last week.
Let me start with thank you God for Your faithfulness! You have been with us every step of this journey, You have strengthened our family through this journey and You have been the brightness illuminating the very dark corners of grief. In the times I've been at my lowest, You have pulled me up and refreshed my soul. My God has been many things to me this year, most certainly my Father.
Last year on Father's Day we were camping with our home group and soaking up God's beautiful creation. We had just spent a week with my parents on that beautiful California trip a week before Father's Day and it seemed enough to just send Dad a text while we were camping that day:
These were the last words we exchanged. God gave me a great man for an earthly father. I'm still learning from the life he led. Though I have argued with God that it was not near enough time with Dad, I know God is painting a bigger picture. And this weekend, I choose to remember the 38 years I spent with him and thank God for each moment.
Let me start with thank you God for Your faithfulness! You have been with us every step of this journey, You have strengthened our family through this journey and You have been the brightness illuminating the very dark corners of grief. In the times I've been at my lowest, You have pulled me up and refreshed my soul. My God has been many things to me this year, most certainly my Father.
Last year on Father's Day we were camping with our home group and soaking up God's beautiful creation. We had just spent a week with my parents on that beautiful California trip a week before Father's Day and it seemed enough to just send Dad a text while we were camping that day:
These were the last words we exchanged. God gave me a great man for an earthly father. I'm still learning from the life he led. Though I have argued with God that it was not near enough time with Dad, I know God is painting a bigger picture. And this weekend, I choose to remember the 38 years I spent with him and thank God for each moment.
Thankful for a love that started it all...
Thankful for teachings and comfort, his hugs were the best....
Thankful for guidance and encouragement and the way he lead this family...
And so very thankful for the legacy he left our family, the heritage in Christ, and hope for heaven....
One of Dad's greatest desires was this:
"If I could tell my children one thing about God and the Christian life, I know what it would be. The whole of life in Christ must surely be, 'to find mercy on that day'. Whatever we may have or accomplished in life prior to that moment, when our life will be laid before the eternal righteous judge, finding mercy on that day will be the most important."
Dad wrote this in 1994 in a book titled, "From My Heart to Yours". I found this several months ago and felt goosebumps as I read it. What joy it is to know this message has been impressed on the hearts of his children and now his grandchildren! We all have an eternal perspective that was shaped by our Dad and his love for his children.
God has blessed me in ways I still don't know, but this year I've been more keenly aware to not miss out on His blessings. I will keep my eyes open and on the lookout for more of God's goodness around me. Happy Father's Day to all of you Dad's! You have been given the opportunity to lead your children to the merciful hand of our Father, seize it!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
STARTIN' OFF THE SUMMER!
Summer is here!!! My big kids finished their school year last Friday and we have officially begun our summer adventures around here. I created my lists of activities: "Oh the Things We Will Do", "Oh the Things We Will Make", "Oh the Places We Will Go", "Oh the Food We Will Eat", and "Oh the Ways We Will Serve". We enjoyed our time searching online for activities and places in the Dallas area and together came up with our lists which I printed out for weekly reference. On Saturday we sat down and each child and I chose something from one of the lists. Game plan was established and supplies were picked up and yesterday we began...
After completing chores and a VBS meeting in the morning, Andrew and I headed to the public Library to get books and library cards. (Hannah wouldn't entertain the library because she had too many books on her nightstand to read first) After a quick trip to the grocery store, Andrew remembered (on his own) our act of kindness this week (returning shopping carts in the parking lot) and returned one for the lady next to us loading her groceries. Then we enjoyed a couple of hours of money origami. Origami is fun! I love turning a little piece of paper into a really cool 3D object. But MONEY ORIGAMI is, well, MONEY! Of course the older kids chose super challenging creations at first and then attacked more reasonable projects.
Caleb came home a little early and he and Andrew enjoyed a bike ride together through McKinney. We cooked burgers, swam all evening and enjoyed watching The Voice.
And as I sat outside on that beautiful summer evening admiring the success of the day, I happened upon my calendar app. . . which reminded me of dance recital pictures (individual & GROUP) Eden had at 4:00 that afternoon! Are you kidding me? How in the world did I forget that?
Just when you're floating high on the harmonious productivity of the day-- CRASH! I share this to say I am so very far from Super MOM! You may see highlights of our summer fun on Facebook or even here on this blog. And yes, we ARE having summer fun! But reality is I mess up, I miss appointments, I forget important things, I flat out get it wrong sometimes. Though those are not the things I want to "highlight" online for the world to see, they are the things that keep me in desperate need of a Savior!
Eden and I had a conversation this morning about humility to which she asks, "What is humility?" Good question. I came up with some sort of a 4-yearold friendly version of my definition of humility, all the while thinking, "it's that moment when LIFE IS GOOD, ALL IS WELL, and you think YOU'VE done a great job, then you see your calendar and realize you missed something that had been on there for weeks and no, YOU can't go at this life alone. YOU don't 'got this'." That's humility.
I am looking forward to what this summer holds for us. We have so many fun things planned and so many friends and family to see. But may I not forget that it is only by the grace of God that today is and that it is only His grace covering me that keeps this family going. May each of us attack our days ahead with the confidence that God goes before us, He leads us and He covers us.
After completing chores and a VBS meeting in the morning, Andrew and I headed to the public Library to get books and library cards. (Hannah wouldn't entertain the library because she had too many books on her nightstand to read first) After a quick trip to the grocery store, Andrew remembered (on his own) our act of kindness this week (returning shopping carts in the parking lot) and returned one for the lady next to us loading her groceries. Then we enjoyed a couple of hours of money origami. Origami is fun! I love turning a little piece of paper into a really cool 3D object. But MONEY ORIGAMI is, well, MONEY! Of course the older kids chose super challenging creations at first and then attacked more reasonable projects.
Caleb came home a little early and he and Andrew enjoyed a bike ride together through McKinney. We cooked burgers, swam all evening and enjoyed watching The Voice.
And as I sat outside on that beautiful summer evening admiring the success of the day, I happened upon my calendar app. . . which reminded me of dance recital pictures (individual & GROUP) Eden had at 4:00 that afternoon! Are you kidding me? How in the world did I forget that?
Just when you're floating high on the harmonious productivity of the day-- CRASH! I share this to say I am so very far from Super MOM! You may see highlights of our summer fun on Facebook or even here on this blog. And yes, we ARE having summer fun! But reality is I mess up, I miss appointments, I forget important things, I flat out get it wrong sometimes. Though those are not the things I want to "highlight" online for the world to see, they are the things that keep me in desperate need of a Savior!
Eden and I had a conversation this morning about humility to which she asks, "What is humility?" Good question. I came up with some sort of a 4-yearold friendly version of my definition of humility, all the while thinking, "it's that moment when LIFE IS GOOD, ALL IS WELL, and you think YOU'VE done a great job, then you see your calendar and realize you missed something that had been on there for weeks and no, YOU can't go at this life alone. YOU don't 'got this'." That's humility.
I am looking forward to what this summer holds for us. We have so many fun things planned and so many friends and family to see. But may I not forget that it is only by the grace of God that today is and that it is only His grace covering me that keeps this family going. May each of us attack our days ahead with the confidence that God goes before us, He leads us and He covers us.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Hear My Prayer...
"I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer." Psalm 17:6
I love it when God's messages for me are so very clear that there becomes a stirring in my soul that doesn't rest until I "get it". It is truly an exciting feeling. In my head, I know there wouldn't be so much time passed between those messages if I wasn't so easily distracted and self-centered. But thank you, Father, for being a God so full of grace and an unending pursuit of your children, a Good Shepherd. This week a series of events, mostly minor, have culminated for me in a beautiful reminder from my Heavenly Father and I had to share. (mainly so I don't forget in days to come, but also because one of you may benefit as well)
In the last few months I have spent more time on Pinterest than I have before. I think I've finally been at a place where I could think clearly enough (after our move and processing grief) to actually try a few things I had pinned. The more I tried, the more I pinned. I have yet to sit at the desktop computer to look at Pinterest for I KNOW I would not get up for days and this could be dangerous! I have, however, utilized my iphone app to glance at a few ideas either in the car pool line or while waiting at appointments or while taking a short break.
My family has benefitted from delicious meals, cleaning tips, and a few crafty projects. A while back I posted this Prayer Board idea
I loved the idea of having a place visible for me to be easily reminded of people and situations I wanted to pray for. Well, like so many pins, I forgot about this one for a while but occasionally as I would look by through my pins for something else, I would see this and remember that I really wanted to do this.
After the death of my Dad last summer, my Mom has done an exceptional job of taking over his businesses and following through with his projects as well as keep her own magazine business very strong. In the last few weeks, she published a book through their publishing company, Candlelight Press, that originally Dad began working on with their pastor and author of the book, Phil McClendon. Mom brought me my copy of Awakening last week and I am really enjoying it. Though it is fiction and Phil does not claim to know the exact inter-workings of the spiritual realm, it has helped me to be aware of the spiritual battles going on around each of us every day.
Though we don't always see the angels standing guard or the demons prowling like a roaring lion, we know from scripture they are real. So just as by faith I will tell you God is very real, and alive and working in and around us right now, I will also tell you that so are His armies of angels and unfortunately the enemy predators of Satan. As I'm reading this book, I'm asking myself how often I call the name of God for the every day happenings in my life. Do I send my kids out the door with prayers of protection and guidance and against fear and destruction? Do I pray with whole-hearted belief that God not only hears my prayer but He gets right on it because it is that important to Him? Can you picture this image... as thoughts of worry or frustration creep into my morning, hearing in my head doubt, defeat, and even disgust... and then I lift up a prayer... "God I know you are God of the universe and yet you care about me! You have placed me here at this time, this place for Your Glory, for Your Kingdom. I give you this moment, these thoughts, these fears. I TRUST in You and will walk the next step in Your name, wherever it leads."... Angels with words of assurance, confidence, peace, compassion and love rush to my side and immediately the enemy cowers and flees! I don't know exactly how the spiritual realm plays out, but I do know it is real. I do know that in the name of Jesus evil spirits flee (Acts 16:18). This got me thinking more about my prayers; when I pray and how I pray.
This week our quiet cul-de-sac neighborhood was disrupted with a night intruder. As I continue to thank God over and over that not one person was harmed and things that were taken were fairly minor, I am reminded to keep covering our home, our neighborhood with prayers of protection, of awareness, and
I came across that pin again earlier this week while I was on the treadmill. I will often try to read my Bible app or look at Pinterest on my phone while I'm on the treadmill. And this is fine during my warm up or cool down, but really not safe when I pick up my speed. I'm a multi-tasker! I enjoy using my time efficiently, doing more than one thing at a time. So I was moving along on the treadmill, past the point of looking at anything on my phone, AND IT HIT ME! There is a blank wall in front of me that would be the perfect spot for a Prayer Board! So I made it my goal to complete it this week and get it hung up.
I love it when God's messages for me are so very clear that there becomes a stirring in my soul that doesn't rest until I "get it". It is truly an exciting feeling. In my head, I know there wouldn't be so much time passed between those messages if I wasn't so easily distracted and self-centered. But thank you, Father, for being a God so full of grace and an unending pursuit of your children, a Good Shepherd. This week a series of events, mostly minor, have culminated for me in a beautiful reminder from my Heavenly Father and I had to share. (mainly so I don't forget in days to come, but also because one of you may benefit as well)
In the last few months I have spent more time on Pinterest than I have before. I think I've finally been at a place where I could think clearly enough (after our move and processing grief) to actually try a few things I had pinned. The more I tried, the more I pinned. I have yet to sit at the desktop computer to look at Pinterest for I KNOW I would not get up for days and this could be dangerous! I have, however, utilized my iphone app to glance at a few ideas either in the car pool line or while waiting at appointments or while taking a short break.
My family has benefitted from delicious meals, cleaning tips, and a few crafty projects. A while back I posted this Prayer Board idea
I loved the idea of having a place visible for me to be easily reminded of people and situations I wanted to pray for. Well, like so many pins, I forgot about this one for a while but occasionally as I would look by through my pins for something else, I would see this and remember that I really wanted to do this.
After the death of my Dad last summer, my Mom has done an exceptional job of taking over his businesses and following through with his projects as well as keep her own magazine business very strong. In the last few weeks, she published a book through their publishing company, Candlelight Press, that originally Dad began working on with their pastor and author of the book, Phil McClendon. Mom brought me my copy of Awakening last week and I am really enjoying it. Though it is fiction and Phil does not claim to know the exact inter-workings of the spiritual realm, it has helped me to be aware of the spiritual battles going on around each of us every day.
Though we don't always see the angels standing guard or the demons prowling like a roaring lion, we know from scripture they are real. So just as by faith I will tell you God is very real, and alive and working in and around us right now, I will also tell you that so are His armies of angels and unfortunately the enemy predators of Satan. As I'm reading this book, I'm asking myself how often I call the name of God for the every day happenings in my life. Do I send my kids out the door with prayers of protection and guidance and against fear and destruction? Do I pray with whole-hearted belief that God not only hears my prayer but He gets right on it because it is that important to Him? Can you picture this image... as thoughts of worry or frustration creep into my morning, hearing in my head doubt, defeat, and even disgust... and then I lift up a prayer... "God I know you are God of the universe and yet you care about me! You have placed me here at this time, this place for Your Glory, for Your Kingdom. I give you this moment, these thoughts, these fears. I TRUST in You and will walk the next step in Your name, wherever it leads."... Angels with words of assurance, confidence, peace, compassion and love rush to my side and immediately the enemy cowers and flees! I don't know exactly how the spiritual realm plays out, but I do know it is real. I do know that in the name of Jesus evil spirits flee (Acts 16:18). This got me thinking more about my prayers; when I pray and how I pray.
This week our quiet cul-de-sac neighborhood was disrupted with a night intruder. As I continue to thank God over and over that not one person was harmed and things that were taken were fairly minor, I am reminded to keep covering our home, our neighborhood with prayers of protection, of awareness, and
I came across that pin again earlier this week while I was on the treadmill. I will often try to read my Bible app or look at Pinterest on my phone while I'm on the treadmill. And this is fine during my warm up or cool down, but really not safe when I pick up my speed. I'm a multi-tasker! I enjoy using my time efficiently, doing more than one thing at a time. So I was moving along on the treadmill, past the point of looking at anything on my phone, AND IT HIT ME! There is a blank wall in front of me that would be the perfect spot for a Prayer Board! So I made it my goal to complete it this week and get it hung up.
I'm in the process of filling it with names, pictures and scriptures that I want to pray. I love having it right there in front of me. I love the idea of being able to intentionally multi-task on the treadmill. Though I pray throughout the day, all day, it is rare that I have an uninterrupted block of time with reminders of all the things I want to pray about in front of me. So I'm loving this addition to my prayer life!
Monday, April 29, 2013
SUMMERTIME: Staying Ahead of My Kids
Summer Break is coming! Looking at my calendar we are 5 weeks away from school being out and the adventures of summer break upon us. I have never planned out my kids' days for summer break other than an occasional camp, VBS or family vacation. I typically let the winds of summer blow us from one activity to another. It seems like at the end of every summer, I look back and realize there were things we wanted to do but never got around to doing. As my children get older, I am more aware that my time with them here in my home is dwindling and I need to be a bit more intentional about things we choose to do as a family. So I think this is the summer to make a little bit of a change.
I have seen on Pinterest (yes, if you follow me you know I've seen a lot of Pinterest lately) several different sites with ideas for summer activities to do with your children, many of them are free. I also have somewhat of a list in my head of things I want to do with my children or teach my children at some point. AND I have heard "There's nothing to do..." a few times too many lately. So this summer I am planning ahead and creating lists of activities and schedules to see those activities come to life. Don't worry, there will be plenty of "free time". I won't be scheduling every part of their day or even every day. But I want to have a plan of things to do so we don't get into the routine of laying around watching Netflix or playing iPod games. My goal is to have a designated morning deadline to have all chores complete (including mine) so that we can play a good part of the day. Like all kids, each of mine have days they complete chores well with lightening speed and days that they can drag out a couple of chores like a turtle playing chess. And if I'm honest, I have days like those too. Hopefully we can stay on top of things so that our chores are never overwhelming and can easily be completed at the beginning of the day and then PLAY, PLAY PLAY!
I am discovering during my last 12 parenting years that I have a hard time letting my kids do activities that cause big messes because I REALLY dislike cleaning. It's often easier for me (and I'm way more pleasant) if I re-direct to another less-messy activity. And yet, so much of the fun is making a mess, right? So I pledge here for the world to see that I will include a few messy activities for all of us! (But you can bet they will be well thought out and the clean up will be as efficient as I can possibly make it.)
As I begin creating our summer plans, I would love your input on ideas. What are some things you would love to do with your children or remember doing as a kid that you loved? What are some things/life skills you want to teach your children? Here's a list of a few items off the top of my head that will definitely be in our summer plans:
1. Build a tent from sheets and blankets
2. Spend some time at the library (we do this often but have not since we moved to TX)
3. Family bike ride and picnic
4. Bouncing bubbles
5. Paint walking sticks then find somewhere neat to go on a hike around here
6. Write letters
7. Canvas art
8. Make a marble maze
9. Geocashing
10. teach Andrew & Hannah to do laundry
11. teach Andrew & Hannah to cook some different recipes
12. Create a favorite reading spot for the summer
13. microwave ivory soap bar
14. scavenger hunt
15. teach Eden to sweep
16. lots of random acts of kindness
This will be our first summer with a pool and as excited as the kids are to jump in, I'm guessing by the end of the summer it won't be the thrill it starts out to be. I anticipate spending many hours outside in the pool with them but I hope to have some fun things spread throughout the summer to keep their minds active and imaginations creating. I want to have several ideas for crafts for my girls to do and several scientific/engineering activities for Andrew to do. It is also important to me to work with them to come up with ideas for random acts of kindness around town. We've done this before and they love it so it will be fun to be a little more creative with that this summer.
I know in reality there will be days we get nothing done, and that's ok. But I want to take advantage of each day I have with them and be able to look back in August and say "Wow, we did some really neat things this summer!"
If you live in the DFW area and have places you recommend we go this summer, please comment. If you have favorite activities that you enjoy doing with your kids or you've always wanted to try, please comment. If you have random acts of kindness you've done, please comment. The kids and I will be brainstorming over the next few days and creating a master list of things we might like to do and we would love your input! As our plan evolves, I'll keep you posted here. I will try to post links to sites with ideas as I gather my information too. Maybe you'll find some great ideas for your family too!
I have seen on Pinterest (yes, if you follow me you know I've seen a lot of Pinterest lately) several different sites with ideas for summer activities to do with your children, many of them are free. I also have somewhat of a list in my head of things I want to do with my children or teach my children at some point. AND I have heard "There's nothing to do..." a few times too many lately. So this summer I am planning ahead and creating lists of activities and schedules to see those activities come to life. Don't worry, there will be plenty of "free time". I won't be scheduling every part of their day or even every day. But I want to have a plan of things to do so we don't get into the routine of laying around watching Netflix or playing iPod games. My goal is to have a designated morning deadline to have all chores complete (including mine) so that we can play a good part of the day. Like all kids, each of mine have days they complete chores well with lightening speed and days that they can drag out a couple of chores like a turtle playing chess. And if I'm honest, I have days like those too. Hopefully we can stay on top of things so that our chores are never overwhelming and can easily be completed at the beginning of the day and then PLAY, PLAY PLAY!
I am discovering during my last 12 parenting years that I have a hard time letting my kids do activities that cause big messes because I REALLY dislike cleaning. It's often easier for me (and I'm way more pleasant) if I re-direct to another less-messy activity. And yet, so much of the fun is making a mess, right? So I pledge here for the world to see that I will include a few messy activities for all of us! (But you can bet they will be well thought out and the clean up will be as efficient as I can possibly make it.)
As I begin creating our summer plans, I would love your input on ideas. What are some things you would love to do with your children or remember doing as a kid that you loved? What are some things/life skills you want to teach your children? Here's a list of a few items off the top of my head that will definitely be in our summer plans:
1. Build a tent from sheets and blankets
2. Spend some time at the library (we do this often but have not since we moved to TX)
3. Family bike ride and picnic
4. Bouncing bubbles
5. Paint walking sticks then find somewhere neat to go on a hike around here
6. Write letters
7. Canvas art
8. Make a marble maze
9. Geocashing
10. teach Andrew & Hannah to do laundry
11. teach Andrew & Hannah to cook some different recipes
12. Create a favorite reading spot for the summer
13. microwave ivory soap bar
14. scavenger hunt
15. teach Eden to sweep
16. lots of random acts of kindness
This will be our first summer with a pool and as excited as the kids are to jump in, I'm guessing by the end of the summer it won't be the thrill it starts out to be. I anticipate spending many hours outside in the pool with them but I hope to have some fun things spread throughout the summer to keep their minds active and imaginations creating. I want to have several ideas for crafts for my girls to do and several scientific/engineering activities for Andrew to do. It is also important to me to work with them to come up with ideas for random acts of kindness around town. We've done this before and they love it so it will be fun to be a little more creative with that this summer.
I know in reality there will be days we get nothing done, and that's ok. But I want to take advantage of each day I have with them and be able to look back in August and say "Wow, we did some really neat things this summer!"
If you live in the DFW area and have places you recommend we go this summer, please comment. If you have favorite activities that you enjoy doing with your kids or you've always wanted to try, please comment. If you have random acts of kindness you've done, please comment. The kids and I will be brainstorming over the next few days and creating a master list of things we might like to do and we would love your input! As our plan evolves, I'll keep you posted here. I will try to post links to sites with ideas as I gather my information too. Maybe you'll find some great ideas for your family too!
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