Guidance for Victory

This weeks edition is a little different.  I’m supposed to share what Doesn’t work for me.  I’m feeling lousy right now, so my list might include some whining.  My apologies. 

What doesn’t work for me..
1.  My homemade pizza dough never rises.  Could it be that I am just too impatient to wait for it to rise?  Maybe.  Or maybe I just like trying to stretch it to enormous lengths without making holes in it! 

2.  My husband going out of town for business and leaving me to single parent our 3 kids.  Why does he get to have great dinners out while we eat cereal and frozen chicken nuggets? 

3.  Transferring my photos from my digital camera card to the computer.  It’s not hard at all, but I just can’t seem to stay on top of it.

4.  Overcommitting myself.  It doesn’t work for me to say yes to so many things at the same time.

5.  Jason Castro’s hair.

6.  Much to my dismay, clipping coupons does not work for me.  I have a stack waiting to be clipped right now. 

7.  Relying on my kids to pick up after themselves.  Is it really too much to ask? 

8.  Losing weight and exercising.  I’m personally not comfortable with my weight, but I think my body is.  It keeps going back to it’s comfortable weight.  Could it be the chocolate addiction? 

9.  Not having a meal plan doesn’t work for me.  If I don’t have one, I’ll start thinking about what’s for dinner around 5 pm, or when someone asks me that question…” what’s for dinner”? 

10.  This ear infection doesn’t work for me.  The ringing is driving me crazy and I can’t even think.

If you’ve made it this far, Thanks!  For more insightful ideas, please visit Rocks In My Dryer.

Ear infection for me.  That’s why I haven’t been able to hear out of my right ear since Friday, and I have this horrible ringing that’s driving me CRAZY!  Did I mention the loss of hearing and horrendous ringing?  Oh yeah, and the equilibrium is all messed up..

Be forewarned, if you don’t want to read a bunch of ramblings, move on.

I couldn’t carry on a conversation with Brooke after school today, because she and her boyfriend were continually texting one another.  Note to self—read her texts before she deletes them!

She wouldn’t do her homework before dance.  She said there was plenty of time afterwards.  We dropped her off and then ran to Target.  I’ve totally sort of over committed myself with a few projects.  I’m making teacher scrapbooks for teacher appreciation week, letters for a sign for an anniversary party, and something (100 somethings) that talks about World Vision and the girl sponsored by IAX.  I need paper for all of these things, and it would seem that I’m all out.  Zach needs shorts too, Brooke wants cookie dough, and Matthew just had a bad case of the wants.  Everything he saw, he wanted.  After a long and stressful time shopping, we went to pick up some Taco Bell.  Everyone else had that idea too.  There were 8 cars in front of us.  EIGHT. 

Oh, and that homework.  Yeah, I had to help with it.  What upsets me is that it was coloring, cutting and pasting.  Isn’t that what Kindergarteners do, not middle schoolers?  Maybe I’m wrong…
Anyway, it was over an hour past bedtime when this was completed.  I tucked her in and thought it was time to get busy on those projects.  She then came out of her room, grabs my cell phone and proceeds to call hers.  Then she picks hers up out of the chair and starts to go to her room.  I said she needed to put the phone up in her bag, and go to bed, because it was too late to be texting.  I’ll spare the details, but I’m a mean mom, and most of her friends don’t even have a bedtime.  I pray that in 15 years she’ll like me.  Did I mention that Brian is out of town and I’m single parenting?  Maybe that’s why I’m stressed. 

It’s also election day here, and quite frankly I’m sick to death of hearing all of the muck these candidates have to say. 

Cheerleaders wear uniforms, not costumes.

It is a squad of girls, not a team. 

( This is for any mom out there who doesn’t know the cheer lingo.  Hopefully I can help you before you embarrass your daughter.  It’s too late for me!)

As I looked out the living room window at the bird feeders, I saw the male cardinal.  The male and female are normally together, but this time he was alone.  I called Matthew over to the window, and he whispered,         ” Yeah, that’s the carnival with the short hair and sunglasses”. 

The female has a mohawk, and very little black on her face around her eyes.  The male has a lot of black around his eyes, thus the sunglasses.  And no matter how clearly I enunciate c-a-r-d-i-n-a-l, he still says carnival. 

That youngest boy of mine!  He makes me smile

GOD’S SPECIALTY IS

RAISING DEAD THINGS TO LIFE

AND MAKING IMPOSSIBLE

THINGS POSSIBLE.

Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so distrubed within me? 

I choose to put my hope in You, O God, for I will yet praise You, my Savior and my God.  My soul is downcast within me; therefore I remember You! (Ps. 42:5-6).  In all my distress, you too are distressed, and the angel of Your presence saves me.  In Your love and mercy You redeem me.  You lift me up and carry me as You have done for Your children through all the days of old (Isa. 45:3). 

Lord, help me not to fear, for You are with me; I need not be dismayed, for You are my God.  You will strengthen me and help me.  You will uphold me with Your righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10). 

Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

Last week was difficult.  We had smiles, conflicts, tears, and drama.  Brooke and her friend A had cheer practice twice and then try outs on Friday.  The conflicts were with dance, which I had feared wouldn’t go well.  I’m still a bit upset about how things were handled, but praying about how to respond. 

The tryouts went well, except she committed the one cardinal sin of a cheerleader.  Apparently you’re not supposed to say WOOOO.  And she did… 

I want you to try it yourself.  Do a little cheer and try to finish it with something other than Woooo.  It’s hard isn’t it? 

The results were supposed to be posted at 8:00 p.m.  We went and waited in the rain for an hour before they actually posted the results.  The wait was grueling and nerve racking to say the least.  It’s not something we are accustomed to at all.  My baby girl has been dancing since she was two years old, so that’s all we know.  This is a whole different crowd we’re dealing with. 

The results were in, and she made it.  She made it, and she was upset and crying.  Terribly sad and stricken.  How does a mom respond to that and make it better?  Well, prayer and chocolate of course!  See, there’s fall cheerleaders and winter cheerleaders.  Brooke wanted fall, and was chosen for winter.  Her friend A was chosen for fall.  I think it’s great because I really don’t understand football all that much, and it’s played outside in the cold and rain.  We’ll be inside a warm gym watching basketball, and she’ll have a floor to do her stuff on.  Daddy told her Indiana is known for their hoops anyway.  She has some friends on the same squad, and her friend who is a boy  told her all the kids go to the basketball games.  Now she’s excited!  We’re really proud of her too.  Out of 24 girls, only 16 were chosen and she was one of them.  Go Brooke!!!!!

Psalm 119:1-24

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.  You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.  That’s right-you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.  You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.  Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.  I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.  I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.

How can a young person live a clean life?  By carefully reading the map of your Word.  I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;  don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.  I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.  Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.  I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.  I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.  I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it. 

Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life;  not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.  Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders.  I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.  My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!- insatiable for your nourishing commands.  And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them-let them have it!  Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;  I’ve been careful to do just what you said.  While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.  Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
The Message

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The second best time is today.  Chinese Proverb

If you are planning for a year, sow rice.  If you are planning for a decade, plant trees.  If you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.  Chinese Proverb

If you can talk, you can sing; If you can walk, you can dance.  African Proverb

Tell me who’s your friend, and I’ll tell you who you are.  Russian Proverb

A joy that’s shared is a joy made double.  John Ray, English Proverbs

Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.  Swedish Proverb

Man plans; God laughs.  Yiddish saying

When elephants fight, the grass always is the one that suffers.  Swahili saying

Wherever the heart is, the feet don’t hesitate to go.  Togo saying

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.  Live your life in such a way so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.  Indian proverb.

Visitor’s footfalls are like medicine; they heal the sick.  Bantu proverb

No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place.  Zen saying

The death of an old person is like the loss of a library.  African proverb

Danger and delight grow on one stalk.  English proverb

When “Do no evil” has been understood, then learn the harder, braver rule, “Do good.”  Arthur Guiterman,A Poet’s Proverbs

The beginning of health is to know the disease.  Spanish proverb

It is part of the cure to wish to be cured.  Latin proverb

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.  Irish proverb

Today, on this National Day of Prayer, I pray for all of God’s people.  I pray that His people, who are called by His name, will humble themselves and pray.  Seek His face and turn from their wicked ways-then He will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal our land.  I pray for the revival of God’s people in the nation, that they will be like Jesus to the people in their communities, being used of God to lead others ever one step closer to Him.  I ask God’s forgiveness for the nation’s sins of pride, prejudice, insensitivity to the needs and hurts of others.  I ask that You will bless the local and national spiritual and political leaders and guide them in their decision making.  We’re in the midst of being inundated with negativity and evil in the election process Lord, and I ask that You will lead us to nominate who You want to see lead us.  I pray for those that don’t know You Lord, and those that are suffering and alone.  Touch them.  Heal our nation Lord, bless us with Your favor and unconditional love.  Thank You for working in us, and for Your presence in my life.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

Thank You, Father for the incredible privilege of partnering with Jesus in the work of intercession.  Help me to stay alert and consistent as I pray for my brothers and sisters  in Christ.  Help me to be clear minded and self controlled as I stand in the gap for others, especially during these times.  Remind me that prayerlessness for others is a sin against You.  Help me be instant in prayer so that it becomes a way of life for me, as continuous as breathing.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen

Yesterday was Brooke’s last dance competition of the season.  It’s kind of sad, but kind of a relief too.  It went really well.  Hip Hop had some changes made, and they were missing M, who recently had surgery.  Get better soon M!!  We miss you.  It looked good, and scored a gold, with overall ranking placed 3rd out of 5.  Tap and Jazz were the best I’ve seen ever.  The judges thought so too, because they both scored a Platinum.  Both of them placed in the top 10 as well.  It was a very good outcome for them, and I’m very proud of them.  Most of them have worked so hard.  My Boo bear certainly has! 

Tomorrow she’s gonna try out for cheerleading.  My baby, entering the 7th grade, and she wants to be a cheerleader.  One of her friends from dance is trying out as well, and her mom is having a hip replacement tomorrow.  Please keep Kim in your prayers.  She’s been suffering in pain for a while now. 

Sometimes I’ll tell Matthew, I love you so, so much, bigger than the earth, moon, stars, and grains of sand.  He says to me, I love you bigger than a pepperoni pizza!  (That’s big in his world!)

Today he was holding a cup behind his back and he wanted me to guess what it was.  I guessed it was an elephant.  He looked at me with his dimple showing and said, that is in curtain.  I said, do you mean incorrect?  He says, no, in C-U-R-T-A-I-N, enunciating it very clearly. 

Daddy came home today with a new bike for him.  Matthew greeted him at the door and informed me that Daddy got him a new bike, if you don’t mind.  Where does he come up with this stuff?  If you don’t mind….

GOD DOES NOT INSIST ON OUR

FORGIVING OTHERS FOR THE SAKE

 OF THAT PERSON ALONE BUT FOR

PEACE IN OUR OWN LIVES.

Lord, as hard as this may be for me to comprehend or rationalize, Your Word is clear:  if I forgive others when they sin against me, You, my heavenly Father, will also forgive me.  But if I do not forgive others their sins, You, my Father, wilol not forgive my sins (Matt. 6:14-15).

So empower me to bear with others and forgive whatever grievances I may have against them.  Help me to forgive as You, Lord, have forgiven me (Col. 3:13). 

If someone sins against me seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to me and says, “I repent,”  I desire to be obedient to You.  Strengthen me, Lord, to forgive him, to forgive her (Luke 17:4).

Beth Moore Praying God’s Word Day by Day

The bond that unites a man with his fellowman is no less real and close than that which unites him to God: one with them.  Grace renews not only our relationship with our fellow human beings, too.  We not only learn to say “my Father,” but also “our Father.”  It would be unnatural for the children of a family to always meet their father separately, never expressing their desires or their love jointly.

Believers are not only members of one family, but of one body.  Just as each member of the body depends on the other, the extent to which the Spirit can dwell in the body depends on the union and cooperation of everyone.  Christians cannot reach the full blessing God is ready to bestow through His Spirit until they seek and receive it in fellowship with each other.  It was to the 120 praying together in total agreement under the same roof that the Spirit came from the throne of the glorified Lord.  In the same way, it is in the union and fellowship of believers that the Spirit can manifest His full power. 

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to talk about living greener?  Did you know that on average, you create 4.5 pounds of trash every day?  That’s about ninety thousand pounds of trash that will remain on earth even when you don’t. 

Americans use twice as much energy and water as anyone else in the world.  It is estimated that by the year 2025, the world must increase its water supply by 22% in order to meet its needs.  One way to conserve water is by taking a shorter shower.  If we can shave two minutes off of our shower, that saves more than 10 gallons of water.  If everyone saved just one gallon of water from their daily shower, over the course of a year it would equal twice the amount of freshwater withdrawn from the Great Lakes every day.  The Great Lakes are the world’s larges source of freshwater.

Information provided by the green book, and www.readthegreenbook.com

Jeremiah had a prophetic ministry that involved bringing the people of Judah back to the Lord.  He warns them of the impending exile at the hands of the Babylonians.  The people didn’t want to listen to Jeremiah, and surely didn’t believe that God would punish them by allowing their temple and land to be destroyed.  They continued living in their old ways, and didn’t really allow God into their daily lives.  God called Jeremiah to be over the nations and kingdoms, to UPROOT, TEAR DOWN, DESTROY, OVERTHROW, BUILD, and PLANT.  It was a big task, and it made Jeremiah weary when they didn’t hear his message. 

God’s patience wore out, and everything that Jeremiah had prophesied came true.  Jerusalem was overwhelmed and the temple destroyed. 

Jeremiah also offers hope.  Hope that an ideal leader will rise up from David’s line.  We know he’s speaking of Jesus.  The only hope we have for salvation. 

“The time is coming…when I will make a new covenant…I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”  Jeremiah 31:31-33

GOD’S MERCIES HAVE EXISTED

THROUGH ALL ETERNITY,

YET SCRIPTURE TELLS US THEY

ARE NEW EVERY MORNING.

Merciful and faithful Lord, because of Your great love I am not consumed, for Your compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”  Lord, You are good to those whose hope is in You, to the one who seeks You (Lam. 3:22-25).

Surely You, Jesus, took up my infirmities and carried my sorrows, yet we considered You stricken by God, smitten by Him and afflicted.  But You were pierced for my transgressions;  You were crushed for my iniquities; the punishment that brought me peace was upon You, and by Your wounds, Lord Jesus, I am healed (Isa. 53:4-5).

Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

Stop the presses and go outside to check for damage.  Indiana was rocked by an EARTHQUAKE this morning that centered in Illinois.  This is being rated a moderate EARTHQUAKE at 5.4 on the richter scale. 

We awoke at 5:37 a.m. to what sounded like a tremendous wind and the bed was shaking.  I thought an airplane was flying really close to our house, like right above the roof!  Brian actually said “that was an earthquake”.  We then went back to sleep. 

Now I’m up and seeing all of the information rolling in on the morning news.  They’re saying this is the largest recorded earthquake for Indiana.  Reports are coming in from Louisville Kentucky about some structural damage to some buildings.  Everything’s fine here.  An exciting way to start the day though.  Now I’m gonna go re-read the book of Revelation! 

GOD’S MOTIVATION FOR SURFACING

THE DESTRUCTIVE PARTS OF US IS SO

WE WILL FACE THEM AND COOPERATE

AS HE UPROOTS AND HEALS THEM. 

O Lord, have mercy on me.  Heal me, for I have sinned against You (Ps. 41:4).

See how distressed I am!  I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious.  Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death (Lam. 1:20).  But thank You that I can be assured You will never forsake one of Your children crying out in agony over sin.

Lord God, lift me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire.  Set my feet on a rock and give me a firm place to stand.  Put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to my God!  Blessed is the one who makes the Lord his trust (Ps. 40:2-4). 

Beth Moore Praying God’s Word Day By Day