A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength: for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisors. Proverbs 24:5-6
I had a birthday this month, and I am now officially old. I feel it, and I have the grey hair to prove it. 36 is the big one for me! ( I really don’t think I should have grey hair, but I do!)
The day went well for me though. Matthew made it seem like a national holiday. I am just thankful that God has blessed me with another birthday!
I don’t normally watch Dr Phil, but I turned on the tv and that’s what was on. It’s all about Teens engaging in outragous trends. The first thing I saw was a boy who had 48,000 text messages in a month. My question is, when can he find this much time??? Whatever.
Now they’re interviewing the parents of a 12 year old girl who has been “sexting”. Sending very inappropriate photos of herself, and lewd texts as well. Now this exact thing has happened with one of the girls that I spoke of in my post crying and curfews. My initial thought was to keep Brooke away from her, then I decided that I pray for Godly friends for Brooke, and maybe she is supposed to be the Godly influence for this girl. After watching this, and what happened this weekend, I am deciding that my daughter is not going to be put at risk by me to provide a good girl experience for someone else. I cannot allow it. Brooke is not strong enough right now to stand up for herself.
What is going on in this world??? satan, you will not win! You may have reign over this earth right now, but you will not win. Jesus will!
I have a 12 year old who thinks she’s 20. Apparently this is a problem amongst many of her friends. Friday, Brooke and 3 of her friends wanted to go to the movies. I checked the listing, and the PG movie they wanted to see was on at 7:15 pm. No problem! Now there was an incident in the past where these kids were dropped off at the movies with no parental supervision, and trouble ensued. Brian and I had discussed that this would not happen again. A chaperone must always attend with them.
Brooke calls me and tells me they have decided to go to the 9:45 showing, and I promptly tell her no. The movie was and hour and a half, so that would mean being out until 11:30, and I am not OK with that. She started giving me attitude, and I reminded her that she is 12, and I didn’t have that late of a curfew until I was a junior in high school. (Thanks Mom for telling me I was actually a Senior!) Well, she hung up on me, then called me back and told me they would go to the earlier show. I said OK, and that I would take them and stay. That didn’t go over well with her, as everyone gets dropped off. everyone!!! Again, I had to remind her of the last time that happened, and if she wanted to go, this was the only option. She was not happy with me, there were tears, and the silent treatment. She was embarassed, and it didn’t help that one of her friends was teasing her for me going along.
When we arrived at the theater, the movie they wanted to see was sold out. We ended up watching Marley and Me, which is a good movie, but I think it should be PG 13! Before we sat down, me in the front, them in the back, Brooke told me they were gonna stay for the 9:45 showing too. I said NO. Tears again…..
When Marley and Me was over, I walked out and called one of the parents to let them know what was going on and see how they felt about staying. They were fine with their child staying unsupervised and being out until 11:30, so Brooke and I left. Brooke felt so bad about the way she had behaved, so she was crying again and apologizing to me. I was hurt and angry at the same time. Why does my child get teased because I love her and am trying to protect her??? Why are parents allowing this? The theater was over run with middle schoolers, and there were no parents. I just don’t understand it. If you need a break, hire a babysitter for your kids. Don’t just drop them off at the mall or movies and let them be a nuisance to others. These kids are too young to be responsible and mature at all times.
I had to tell Brooke not to ask me to do something with these kids again. They cannot be trusted, and peer pressure is too easy to cave in to. I’m probably going to lose a friend over this too, but my daughter is more important to me.
Zach sat alone in the chair Sunday morning with a single tear rolling down his cheek. He wanted daddy to go to church with us. I tried to explain to him that we can’t pressure him, and to just have faith. So we went without him, and had an amazing time. Zach decided that he wants to be baptized, sometime before he turns 11, which is in July. This is such a blessing to me, something that I’ve been praying for!
This is a new church that we started attending last month. We really liked it, except for one thing. They only serve communion once a month, and I’m used to taking it weekly. Brooke actually came up with the idea that we could take our own communion at home together, on the weeks that church doesn’t serve it. The congregation is younger, the music is more contemporary, and the praise band is rocking! The pastor is so down to earth, and his knowledge of the Bible and scripture is really impressive. His sermons always seem to hit right on target. Brian attended once, but we know he’ll return again.
Anyway, the church is having a marriage conference that I signed up for, and I also joined a Life Group. I decided that I can no longer put my spiritual growth on the backburner while I wait for Brian. I need to grow!
Brooke and I also signed up for an hour of prayer, at an unconventional time, 3 am Sunday morning. We’ll actually be coming home from something BIG. I am so excited for this hour!
Paul Harvey and Prayer
Paul Harvey says:
This is the United States of America , a country founded on Christian principles.
One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don’t think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world’s foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.
God, help us. And if that last sentence of fends you, well, just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long. It’s time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn’t care what they want. It is time that the majority rules! It’s time we tell them, You don’t have to pray; you don’t have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don’t have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!
God bless us one and all … Especially those who worship Him , God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all. God bless our military who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.
Let’s make 2009 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions .. And our military forces come home from all the wars.
Keep looking up.
Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing
This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous-
“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What Next?”
What is next?
We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, you warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have,
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor,
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are you taking it?
We’re listening. And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?
Of course you can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we.
Through Christ,
Amen
We’ve been on baby (puppy) watch since the weekend, and Wednesday night it finally happened. It started around 7pm, and she was done at 11:30. Everything went very well for the first litter, especially since there are four puppies and the momma is such a small girl.
At this point we think they’re all girls, and they are all adorable! The first one was all white, the second one is a milk chocolate color, third one looks like momma with black spots and brown on her face, and the last one is the biggest, and she’s mostly black with some white on her face, tummy and tail. They are named, in the above order, coco, munchi, rocky, and pebbles.
As soon as Munchi came out, I said she was mine. Her color is so different, and it turns out she’s the runt. When all the other girls get in there to nurse, she gets knocked aside. It’s so hard to watch, so I’ve been sleeping on the floor in Brooke’s room, making sure that munchi gets her share. (Did I mention that they feed every 40 to 60 minutes?) Yeah, little tired here, but nothing’s gonna happen on my watch!
I bought some puppy formula and have tried to feed her a couple of times, but she’s not interested, yet. She is able to nurse on Momma when I help her though, so I’ll keep on helping.
I just watched something on the Doctors about the dangers of cheerleading. Let me tell you, every single time I see my baby girl thrown up into the air and rely on 3 other girls to catch her, I pray! I cringe and hold my breath until she is safely walking back. I think I must be crazy to let her do this, because any fool can tell you the dangers of it.
What no one talks about is the emotional dangers from cheerleading. Some of these girls are just mean. If you’ve seen the movie “Mean Girls”, with Lindsay Lohan, you’ll know what I mean. This has been an emotionally taxing year, and it’s only half over.
The other night I get a text from my friend Stacy. “Call me if you can”.
So I immediately call. She says she just wanted to tell me she loves me! Her mother in law is getting ready to lose her best friend to cancer, and they were talking about their relationship. Even though you don’t see each other often, each of you knows that you can count on the other to be there when you need it.
I love you too Stacy! You are my sister by choice, and I am blessed to have you in my life!
Sometimes God gives me messages through songs, and after this week of partially fasting, this is what I got. I woke up Thursday morning singing this song, not really sure why, but I was. Then when I went out to start the car, it was playing on the radio. It was then that I really listened to the words.
He is up to something. He is refining me, and I need it. It will be HEAVENLY!
A patient person I am not, but God is telling me to wait.
“In waiting, we will live an overcoming life as we learn to walk in God’s joy, peace, and contentment. When we wait, He will give us His secrets to kingdom living. By waiting for God’s wisdom and direction, we will accomplish the most for Him. ”
“He is looking for those who can wait and let the flesh die so that the spirit can truly live for His purposes.” From Intercessors Arise, by Debbie Przybylski.
So I wait….
Here’s a great thing about social media. I have to say this because sometimes it’s a huge waste of time! Last night on Twitter one of my “friends” that I’ve never met or actually talked to, cried out for prayer. She was having a rough night and asked for prayer. I sent her a direct message asking for specifics, and set out to pray. I sent up a quick prayer for her to feel peace and love, and for her to be able to see the many blessings that she has. I got back on and told her what I’d done, and that I was signing off to pray more specifically. Her next post was about her 7 year old coming into the room and telling her she looked like she needed a hug, and then gave her one. She said she has awesome kids.
Today she is doing much better and sent me a thank you. A bond was formed, and I may never meet her this side of Heaven, but in Heaven I’m sure we’ll meet!
I picked up my bible and opened it to this. Zechariah 12:1-14 The Message ” God’s message concerning Israel, God’s Decree-the very God who threw the skies into space, set earth on a firm foundation, and breathed his own life into men and women: “Watch for this: I’m about to turn Jerusalem into a cup of strong drink that will have the people who have set siege to Judah and Jerusalem staggering in a drunken stupor. On the Big Day, I’ll turn Jerusalem into a huge stone blocking the way for everyone. All who try to lift it will rupture themselves. All the pagan nations will come together and try to get rid of it. On the Big Day-this is God speaking- I’ll throw all the war horses into a crazed panic, and their riders along with them. But I’ll keep my eye on Judah, watching out for her at the same time that I make the enemy horses go blind. The families of Judah will then realize, ‘Why, our leaders are strong and able through God-of-the-Angel-armies, their personal God’. On the Big Day I’ll turn the families of Judah into something like a burning match in a tinder dry forest, like a fiercely flaming torch in a barn full of hay. They’ll burn up everything and everyone in sight-people to the right, people to the left-while Jerusalem fills up with people moving in and making themselves at home-home again in Jerusalem. I, God, will begin by restoring the common households of Judah so that the glory of David’s family and the leaders in Jerusalem won’t overshadow the ordinary people in Judah. On the Big Day, I’ll look after everyone who lives in Jerusalem so that the lowliest, weakest person will be as glorious as David and the family of David itself will be godlike, like the Angel of God leading the people. On the Big Day, I’ll make a clean sweep of all the godless nations that fought against Jerusalem. Next I’ll deal with the family of David and those who live in Jerusalem. I’ll pour a spirit of grace and prayer over them. They’ll then be able to recognize me as the One they so grievously wounded-that piercing spear thrust! And they’ll weep–Oh how they’ll weep! Deep mourning as a parent grieving the loss of the firstborn child. The lamentation in Jerusalem that day will be massive, as famous as the lamentation over Hadad-Rimmon on the fields of Megiddo:
Everyone will weep and grieve,
the land and everyone in it:
The family of David off by itself
and their women off by themselves:
The family of Nathan off by itself
and their women off by themselves:
The family of Levi off by itself
and their women off by themselves:
The family of Shimei off by itself
and their women off by themselves:
And all the rest of the families off by themselves
and their women off by themselves.””
The excerpt below is from an email sent to me. I found it interesting enough to share it with you. Another interesting tidbit was that our sermon today was about spiritual growth and Harvest.
For 2009 the theme and scripture is:
2009: Year of Birthing, Harvest, and Fruitfulness
“You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.” (Psalm 65:11)
I was amazed that the Lord was saying the same thing through two different Christian groups in my life. After this last year there is no room for doubt in my life when the Lord speaks anymore.
Something else in her email that was interesting:
2009 is also 5969 on Israel’s calendar. Nine is the number for birthing, harvest, and fruitfulness. Birthing, because in nine months, a baby is born. Harvest because the ninth month (September) is a harvest month. Fruitfulness because there are nine fruits and nine gifts of the spirit.
She goes on to remind us that we are not promised that all of this will necessarily be “good” and pleasant. But we can know that the Lord’s hand is in it and it will be the Birth of new things, the Harvest of what we’ve been sowing and it will all be Fruitful in His Kingdom.
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