Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Hello All the new "bloggers"

Well for those who are not regular posters to AOL J'land, you may not know this, but AOL is closing down their journals (blogs) and a new influx of bloggers is joining in over here and various other blog spots.

I hope you'll read my previous post and pray with me and others for our nation for the next 30 days. Scroll down and read "Nation in Crisis" and see what we're doing and how it came about!

God Bless

Day 1: Pray For America


Day 1 - Prayer for America


1. Pray for a great outpouring of God's Spirit on America (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17).

2. Pray for the President and Vice President, that their hearts would be guided by God, that their decisions would be wise, and that their leadership would be principled.

My prayer:

Lord, God our Father, I come to you tonight on my face in prayer for our nation. Lord you gave us this nation to prosper and we have and yet we have been selfish in what you've given us and Lord we look to you for guidance. Lord I pray for President Bush and VP Cheney. I pray that you will give them wisdom and discernment as they along with Congress and Senate try to find a solution. Lord I pray that they are both seeking your guidance. You have given them wisdom and I pray they will use YOUR wisdom through every single day. Their job is not an easy one and they are often the ones being blamed, even when it was not their wrong doing. I pray that the people of our nation will give them grace as they try to find a solution to this crisis.

It's in your Holy Name we come to you....
Amen

Monday, September 29, 2008

Love Them Like Jesus

Tonight I've been blog hopping and came across Corie. One go take a read and let your heart be open to her and her families loss. As I have been reading through it, I came across the video of one of my favorite songs.




Casting Crowns is my favorite Christian band, their songs always grab my heart. God definately has used them to teach me, make me grow, and bring me to my knee's over and over. They seem to be my heart's song(s)..over and over.

The love of her life is drifting away
They’re losing the fight for another day
The life that she’s known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you

Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus

The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray
As the little one slips away

You're holding her hand, you?re straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you

Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus

Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus




Isn't that what we all want though? To have others love us like Jesus loves us and don't we all desire to love others like Jesus tells us to love, like he does?
My heart has been heavy the past couple of weeks over my dear friend leaving in the next couple months and ultimately me being the selfish human I am, knowing I'm going to have to finish this 15 month deployment without her by my side. I know I will still have her friendship and I know too that the one that I truly have to lean on is our Lord. I really do get that. I have just been stuck in the reality of not having her here physically present with me. When you have spent the last 2 1/2 yrs with someone pretty well every single day, it's a very hard pill to swallow that God's allowing them to leave. It's hard to admit, because I know this will be so good for their marriage and family, as the place they're going to her husband will be teaching so in turn, no deployments and trust me they have done their fair share of deployments...four in the last five years. They've given enough for right now to our country and to the US Army, they absolutely DESERVE this break. I am happy for them, but fall into my selfishness of wanting my friend to stay with me.

But....I want to love her and her family like Jesus. I want her to know that I will be ok and that I'm happy for her and her family.

I also need to be loving my kids like Jesus. I more than many know how precious the life of our children is, yet I have been finding myself not treasuring those lives like I should. There's no excuse. None. They're good kids, they're wonderful, precious gifts from God that I do NOT deserve, yet he has intrusted them to me. I have to keep that on my heart and in my mind constantly. Will you pray for me on that concern? That I will love my children like Jesus loves them, like he loves me?

It's time for me to get to bed. It's insanely late, or early as it really is....and my kids will be up in oh probably 4 hours and I AM going to make them breakfast or a great brunch depending on what they want me to do!

God Bless

A Nation in Crisis

My friend Linda's church is doing this and she blogged about it here. Well I'm taking on this challenge, because like Linda this has been on my heart to do. So will you join me in praying for our nation and our leaders. If you are a Christian we are already called to pray for our leaders, whether we like them or agree with them or not. Here is what Linda wrote:


A Nation in Crisis...

and what we can do about it. It's called Intercessory Prayer.

I've committed, with my church, to "30 Days of Prayer for America". While reading De'Etta's blog
Choosing Joy, she talked about how she was feeling led to pray for our country. So I am taking the plunge and sharing 30 Days of Prayer for America" with you. For the next 30 days, we are called to pray for our nation...state by state, leader by leader. Here's what the flier says:

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We're going on an unforgettable journey...

30 Days of Prayer For America

For 30 memorable days, we're going to pray across America. Through the instant access of intercession we will visit every state, every territory, and our nations capital, Washington, DC. Our guide on this unforgettable journey is the Prayer Map of America, a unique resource with an easy-to-follow, day-by-day itinerary.

2008 is a crucial year for America - a year of challenges and, of course, a year of decisions. Of all the things we can do for our country at this historic time, nothing is more important than prayer. If we truly want God to bless America - to stand beside her and guide her - we must pray.

The strategy is simple: Each day for the specifed 30 Days of Prayer for America we will take just a few minutes to pray for that day's requests. There are only two requests per day, so it won't take much time, but it will make a huge impact. The unified effect of believers praying can awaken our nation, renew our church and spiritually transform our lives. This is going to be a great journey. Don't miss it!

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Now - since there's no way I can truly provide you a copy of the map, I will post each day's request here. If you have a map at home, you can find the states you are praying for, and visually connect with them. But even if you don't have a map handy, you can take a few minutes to pray the requests of each day.

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Whenever you come to a request for a specific state or territory in the daily list, remember these priorities:

Pray for the leaders of the state, that God's Spirit would guide them to act justly, serve with integrity and uphold high moral standards.

Pray for the churches of the state, that they would be lighthouses of truth, havens of hope, and centers of love for all people.

Pray for the Christians of the state, that they would be faithful witnesses for Christ, humble servants of God, and positive influences on society

Over the course of the 30-day prayer plan, six national-level requests are each repeated 3 times. These address the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of our government. Additionally, there are prayers for our Armed Forces, for America's spiritual renewal, and for candidates for public office. As you remember these requests over the 30 days of prayer, keep in mind the following important details:

Praying for our President and Vice President. They bear responsibilities of enormous importance. Pray that their hearts would be guided by God, that their decisions would be wise, and that their leadership would be principled.

Praying for our Congressional Leaders. The hundreds of men and women who serve in the U.S. Congress - our Representatives and Senators - oversee the nation's legislative business. Pray that they will govern with God-honoring discernment and preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

Praying for our Justice System. Ours is a nation pledged to justice for all; and though our systems has its imperfections, it is markedly better than most of the world. Millions in our society serve as police officers, prosecutors, defenders and judges. And, in the highest roles, nine individuals serve as Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Pray that all of these public servants will be vigilant, discerning and wise.

Praying for our Armed Forces. We are blessed with liberty because brave members of our Armed Forces have fought to keep us free. Today, a new generation of soldiers, sailors, marines airmen and guardsmen are serving gallantly, and we are the beneficiaries. Pray with appreciation for their service, and ask God to bless them with strength.

Praying for Spiritual Renewal. America has many needs, but none more important than a spiritual awakening and a spiritual renewal. Pray for the Gospel to be communicated across the full spectrum of our society. Pray for biblical principles, long dormant, to bear new fruit. Pray that Americans of all ages, races and backgrounds would be drawn to God and receive His life and salvation.

Praying for Candidates for Public Office. In our system of government, we the people select our leaders. This is a great responsibility and we must exercise it wisely and prayerfully. Pray for the candidates for public office, that they would be moved by God to seek what is honorable, just and moral.


PRAYING FOR THE STATES

Listed on most days of the 30-day prayer plan are the names of specific U.S. states or territories. The goal each day is to pray for the leaders, churches and Christians in those places. Following are some key thoughts to guide your intercession.

Praying for Leaders in the State. The Bible instructs us to make requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all who are in authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). In our world, this means we are to pray for Governors, Lieutenant Governors and other leaders in authority. Specifically, we should pray that they would act justly, that they would serve with integrity, and that they would uphold moral standards.

Praying for Churches in the State. Churches, of course, are not merely buildings; they are living, active bodies of believers. America is blessed with more than 300,000 churches of all denominations and traditions. As you intercede for these churches, both generally and specifically, pray that they would be lighthouses of truth, havens of hope and centers of love.

Praying for Christians in the State. Jesus said that His followers are to be "salt" and "light" within society. Like salt, they should make others thirsty for the Gospel. Like light, they are to illuminate with the brightness of Christ's love. As you intercede for Christians state-by-state, pray that they will be faithful witnesses of the Gospel, humble servants of Christ, and positive influences within their communities.

Does prayer really make a difference? Yes, it makes an extraordinary difference because God in His unlimited compassion responds to prayer offered in His name. As God's children and followers of Jesus Christ, we must urgently, faithfully pray for our nation and its people. Prayer can affect the course of history and shape the destiny of a nation. As you pray day by day following the plan in the Prayer Map of America you can be sure that your intercession can make a transformational difference.

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So...who's with me in this journey? If you've made it this far, I know you will follow the prayers (and nudge me gently if I forget to post!). I know that you will pray, because you took the time to read all of this. And please, feel free to link to this, or copy and paste it on your blog...if you just read blogs but aren't a blogger, share this through email with those who will pray and make a difference.This is stepping far outside my comfort zone - I'm a Christ-follower, a Christian, a believer...I don't hide that fact...but rarely do I put it out for all the world to see. I may lose readers over this, but it is my strong belief and prayer that others who never read this blog will stick around for the next 30 days and pray for our nation with me.The first prayer will be posted tomorrow.

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Ok, Christy here again. All the above text that started from "A Nation In Crisis" I copy and pasted from Linda's blog. I hope you will join us in praying for our nation and leaders. Right now there are so many that can be "blamed" by the fact is blaming is NOT fixing a thing, prayer can and prayer will. God already knows what is going on, let him HEAR all of us crying out for this country that he has allowed us to be a part of. God HAS most definately blessed our nation and we are NOT worthy of his blessings, but no matter what he hears us and he can't answer us if we don't ask!

I want to say to Linda, I'm so proud of you for again stepping outside of your comfort zone and posting this! God see's this my friend and knows. I love you!




It's Fixed!!!

So because of wonderful people out in cyber space I got my blog fixed!!!!!! Vin is this person's name and let me tell you, he/she rocks!!!!!!!!!! IF you ever have problems post on the blogger's help center link and post it and you'll get help!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Frustrated

Well as you can see I have the "old template" up. I accidently clicked on the classic style and now it will not allow me to switch back. I plan to hopefully get it fixed tomorrow, but tonight I'm too tired. I'd updated everything and had it all done and it was so nice and pretty with a new layout and with one click...ugh.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Heaviness

You know there are times in your life that you know what you should do, but you struggle to do it. I'm there tonight. My heart is so heavy with burden and sadness and selfishness. God has blessed me tremendously with a precious friend here in Germany. Bobbie came into my life through VBS. I knew quickly that I liked her when she was walking out of the bathroom after discipling her son, as I was walking in to do the exact thing with Jacob! LOL We just clicked and there was no looking back. Over time we started spending more and more time together and before I knew it a day didn't seem complete without seeing or at least talking to her.
While her husband was deployed she came to dinner here at least a few times a week, we spent most of our days at the park with our children playing together, going to sports practices, Awana, PWOC, you name it we were/are together. Some people even get us confused just if nothing else because we're ALWAYS together. She has a twin sister and she calls me her triplet. Let me tell you, she is like a sister to me in the most wonderful ways! I love her and love her family.

Now she's leaving. I still have a couple months, but it's wiping me out. I am so sad about her leaving and I will get past this phase because I want to enjoy what time we have left together, but a HUGE part of my heart is breaking and will go with her stateside. I have spent hours praying that God would just keep her here until next June. She'd still leave before Chad came home for good, but I'd only have a couple months left and I'd be ok, but for what ever reason it's not in God's plan for her to stay and it's definately not in the Army's plan. I'm happy for her, they've lived in Europe for the last 5 1/2 yrs and although they have loved it, they're ready to go back to the states.
Please, I'm begging you if you read this (even if you don't comment) pray for me. I'm weak, I'm sad, and I'm hurting. It's truly hard enough having Chad gone, but now to have my best friend leaving me it's just too much for my heart tonight.
Two other precious, wonderful friends are leaving a month later and that I think is what's pushing me just over this tearful edge. I am still blessed though, today a friend who is not connected to the military told me she'll be here for me and I love this woman and to know that her best friend just left (another woman I loved) means so much because she gets how much I'm hurting right now.

I know God will make me stronger and I am so much better for having Bobbie directly in my life for the last two 1/2 yrs and I praise him for it. Tonight I'm just really, really sad and seek prayer.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Emma's 1st Year In Pictures