Monthly Archives: September 2010

Walking, Running, or Soaring?

 …those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

How did your week go? Are you soaring above your troubles, or are you simply thankful to be able to place one foot in front of the other and move forward inch by inch?

I used to think there was something wrong with me. I had faith. My hope was planted on the Rock that is Jesus. However, there were days when I was quite certain there was no soaring going on at all.

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“Are You Happy, or Just Married?”

I sort of laughed off the question when it was first asked. After all, it’s kind of hard to take a drunken Moose too seriously.

I was at my class reunion recently, chatting with a long-time friend and a new friend when someone who clearly wasn’t a classmate approached us. When he extended his hand to me, I thought perhaps he’d been a teacher at the school.

But when he pulled me in for a hug and asked, “Can I take you out?” I realized he was neither. (In order to hold our informal gathering at the local Moose Lodge, the event was opened to graduates from all previous years.)

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Out of the Mouth of Donkeys

GOD’s angel said to him (Balaam): “Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times? I have come here to block your way because you’re getting way ahead of yourself. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she hadn’t, I would have killed you by this time, but not the donkey. I would have let her off.” Numbers 22:32-33 The Message

Reading through the Bible the other day, I had to pause at this scripture. Why would God block Balaam’s way when it appeared he did what God asked? And why would God make a donkey talk to get his message across to Balaam?

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Popcorn

Our neighbors on both sides of our home have trampolines in their backyards. This proves to be a great attraction to many of the kids in our cul-de-sac including my daughter. I don’t mind her jumping, but there is only one problem. One neighbor has a net around her trampoline and the other does not. So the rule is, you can jump on the one with the net, but not on the other. After all, I have to do as much as I can to keep her safe, right?

Recently I walked out the front door to see a little pink bow bouncing up and down above the fence in the neighbor’s yard – the yard that has a trampoline without a net.

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Always! Never Stop! In All Circumstances!

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How do you feel when you read those verses? I usually feel a little guilty. It’s hard to be joyful and thankful in the midst of worry and anxiety. Unless you are living alone in a cave, there are usually plenty of things to be worried and anxious about.

Maybe that it why right between joy and thanksgiving, the Lord reminds us to never stop praying!

I moderate the prayer requests for Prayer Ministries Int.

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What Can I Give?

I’ve been thinking recently about my impact and about how I do or don’t touch those around me. I want to be more aware of the needs around me. I want God to use me to help those He puts in my path. Sometimes I am deterred by the thought that I don’t have anything to offer.

I am not rich. I can’t give much money. I don’t have a lot of creative talents. I don’t sew or cook well. I’m not a very good party planner. As a busy, homeschooling mom, I don’t even have a lot of time.

And I wonder: What can I give to those needy people around me?

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Sin in My Shoe

A while back, I was jogging walking fast in my neighborhood. I love to spend time just taking in the beauty of the morning, getting my mind right, and boosting my metabolism a little for the day. While I was “walking fast,” 🙂 I got something trapped in my shoe. Everything in me wanted to ignore it and keep moving, but I absolutely could not go another step. Giving up, I took my shoe off, shook it out and listened for the rude little interruption to fall out. I did not see anything come out, but whatever it was did come out and I was able to resume my jog.

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Searching For Significance

I’ve struggled most of my life with feelings of unworthiness and rejection. And although I’ve grown leaps and bounds in this area over the last several years, every now and then these feelings rear their ugly head.

I can never really pinpoint an absolute trigger, so I do what the Word says to do and begin to take every thought captive…

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Most of the time, this will work. I search the Word of God for His thoughts towards me to counter the negative thoughts in my mind, and then the enemy flees.

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