Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Energy Drain

Ever had that feeling that your life energy is being sucked out of you? That feeling sorta like wind blowing over your skin as you move through it- only it's the stuff that keeps you going that is blowing away?

It's been like that for about 5 weeks now. There is so much going on in my head that I don't know what I've thought or what I should think next. There is much around me that pulls the energy away. I know that our battle is not flesh and blood but spiritual.

Television shows that undermine the authority of parents, shows that glamorize death, shows that promote indecency of all shapes and sizes. Music that plants suggestions in the minds of our youngsters. Enraged drivers without self-control and foul mouths all pull away the energy that sustains me.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This is what energizes me. This is what brings me life. Jesus.

(Lord God, thank you for the life that you have provided for me to live. Thank you for the blessings that line each and every moment of my existence. Thank you for the reminder that you provide life and when you provide life it is good life. In Jesus name, amen.)

Monday, October 6, 2008

So much...


I have so much on my prayer list this evening. Each of the blogs I follow has something that I want to bring before our Great God. My day has many items that I know He knows but I want to discuss with Him.


I have so much for which I am thankful. I am reminded that the volume of the books could not hold all that Jesus did during His earthly ministry. My mind can not hold all my thanks or my requests. I have to give them over to God.


(Lord, I'm in an attitude of prayer even now. Hear my voice. Give me the grace to accept the answer to each request as You provide it. Give me the grace to accept Your will in every situation even and most especially when it is not what I'm requesting. Thank You, in Jesus' name, amen.)

Monday, September 29, 2008

Fireproof - Oh, yes!

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

I am a movie nut. I love going to the movies (except those stupid horror flicks that have NO purpose on the screen at any time or in any place). A good action film and I invest my emotions into the characters. I watch movies in my head as I read a book. Take for instance the Biblical book of Ruth. When I read, my mind's eye develops the scene and my mind's ear hears the dialog. I invest in these historical characters with the same gusto as I do the movies on my TV. I cry when the heroine/hero is hurting. I laugh when she/he laughs. I fall in love with the good guys and hold the bad guys at arm's length.

So, I must confess. I spend money on movies. I try to be discerning about the movies. I am only willing to spend so much money on any particular movie. When I learned that the movie ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church released a good movie. I determined to spend money on the movie at the theatre (twice) and to purchase the DVD. Then, I waited patiently for the next release (okay not real patiently).

My daughter and I went to see Fireproof this weekend. I will be going back with my son next weekend. My heart broke during the opening of the movie. I thank God for the clear message. There is much more I'll blog about this movie and my own personal experiences as time goes along (and the Lord tarries).

If you want to put your money where your mouth is and back up your Chrisitian values, go see this movie. Honor God with your presence there.

(Lord, I thank you that you have forgiven my sins. I thank you that you created marriage and that you gave it to mankind. I thank you for a movie that helps show what a marriage that honors you takes. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.)

Friday, September 26, 2008

Messing with Technology Interfaces

It is amazing the knowledge that we have gained and use collectively as a society. Yet, the simplicity of the foundation on which all that knowledge rests is incredible. I
  • updated my Facebook,
  • updated my blogs,
  • transferred pictures from my camera, and
  • updated a web site.
Those were the things I did for myself. As an IT professional, I do those types of things (and more) every day for other people. It never ceases to amaze me what we can do with zeros and ones. Yes, that really is what it's all about... 101100111100001101011010... zeros and ones. It's a zero or a one. It's on or it's off. It's either charged or not. I'm alive or I'm not. You believe or you don't. How simple is that?

(Lord, thank you for making it so easy. Forgive me when I try to add to it and make it difficult. Thank you for being the great I AM. In Jesus' name, amen.)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Heavy Confused Heart

Tonight I have a heavy, confused heart. I know that our heart is decietful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9) but I also know that God gives a new heart at salvation (Ezekiel 36:26). Then, I know that those two hearts struggle one against the other (Galations 5:17) as I live out my daily life. Why are people so unwilling to follow the rules? Why are we teaching our children that the rules don't apply to them? Why? How can we expect them to believe that salvation in Jesus is the way when the rules get changed or ignored? Isn't the logical thought process to then believe that if the rules can be changed for me about the class I attend the rules can also be changed for my salvation? Oh, how I wish I could make them understand how dangerous this path is!

(Lord, God, You know what burdens my heart this evening. You know. Please let me hear Your voice as I try to fulfill the work You've called me to in Your church body. Don't let me be distracted by the devil's ways. Thank you. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.)

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Fireproof the Movie

Why would a single mom experienced in divorce recommend such a movie? I recommend this movie because one of my greatest heartaches is the loss of my marriage. I never want anyone to experience the pain of being ripped in half emotionally. God is good. He will heal if we turn and seek Him.

From the first time that I heard Sherwood Pictures was doing a third movie, I could harldly stand the wait. And now, the movie release date is near (Sept. 26). I praise God this group of people are willing to put it all on the line for the message He wants us to hear.



(Lord God, I pray for the message this movie delivers. I pray that You will use it to touch hearts lives and marriages in a mighty and obvious way. I pray that it will also touch the hearts of single men and women to know the love You give is greater still than any other. Thank you. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.)

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Smoking a Camel

I remember my attempt at smoking cigarettes took place somewhere in my grade school years. Mom and Dad both smoked at that time. I checked Mom’s pack of light filtered cigarettes but there were too many in it. She’d notice if it were gone. I checked Dad’s pack of unfiltered Camel’s. Hmmm, there were only three in it. I could sneak that out and no one would really notice. I crawled under the house (out of sight and hiding; or so I thought) to begin my smoking adventure. Well, what an adventure it was. I lit that cigarette, gently sucked in and … Oh! that! hurt!! Cough, cough, cough, spit, spit, and cough some more. OH! That really hurt!! My one and only personal adventure with a cigarette was now complete.

Don’t try to tell me God doesn’t know what He’s doing. It was not coincidence that I ended up with Dad’s nasty, nasty cigarettes. And, even if I was under the house out of everyone else’s sight, God knew where I was and what I was doing. “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” (Job 42:2) Thankfully, it was God’s way of keeping me from an addiction.

(Lord God, thank you for seeing the big picture. I only get to see the pieces of the puzzle that are close around me. I don't always know or understand why things happen in the way they do but You know. That's enough for me. I miss my dad. In eighteen short days it will be two years since he passed. Thank you for holding me close through these days to come. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.)