Conversations, Reflections & Meditations


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Sign Guestbook \| View Guestbook Comments? Questions? [email protected]	Prayer topics God's Call: Step Out In Faith Approved By God All Things Working Together For Good You Had a Better Plan! Jehovah Jireh, My Provider! God's Call: Step Out In Faith Date: August 10, 2003 The sermon last night really made me think... Character is defined by what you do. To believe is to put your whole weight upon: it is action! Difficulties in our lives are a crossroads when a person chooses one path: character or compromise. Right now I think I am having a crisis of fath about God's ability to provide for us financially. I have made the tithing commitment. And I think the motives for moving are right: it all started with ___ asking if we want to join the church as members and I told him I was holding back because I believe God wants us to minister in our own community. But God has called me (I think?) to help in this church and my kids are being helped there, and my husband likes it, and it has been a huge help to me (and I could take even more courses) and in practical terms, this new community would be a good place for us. The "problem" seems to be money - higher rent, need a new car, etc, etc. Anyway, ___ said, "Well, why don't you move to ____?" And I thought (I think that thought came from the Lord!), "Yes!" It seemed so simple. Till that letter came from Dad and the car problems came right at the moment I was ready to phone that townhouse rental landlord and say "we'll take it." Well, maybe there is a better place and the Lord was just slowing me down, like the story of Lazarus dying. At any rate, I do want to choose the right path. And somehow just sitting here on and on, worrying where the next penny will come from, but feeling it is the "safest way" sure seems like a compromise to me. God is calling me to step out in faith and trust Him to work out - to hugely provide for! - all our needs!!!! Wow! That just came right out of my pen - like God was writing it, almost! I was amazed as I wrote each word! But it all does make sense. It adds up to what God has been teaching me all along! I'm still going to have a big prayer session today - but oh, dear God, I do believe I am hearing Your voice! "Yes, Lord, yes! To Your will and to Your way. Yes, Lord, yes! I will worship and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me, With my whole heart I'll agree, And my answer will be "Yes, Lord, Yes!" Oh! And my husband thought it was a good idea. And he is my head. And he has really been trying to take his proper position. And I am to honor and obey him as he honors and obeys the Lord - which I do see him doing. Wow! Forgive me, Lord, for hanging onto the past and not expecting the best of my husband - and of You. It is not a person's behaviour that needs changing - it is his or her values. God wants to get His children to the point where He says, "You can do anthing you want," and they respond by doing what He wants. His will. So ___ was kind of right... "Do what your heart tells you..." The thing is, I am a child of the King and I long to do His will. And His Spirit is in me. So this desire, this plan... it must be from Him. Right? Right! (I think... okay, so it still "looks" dangerous... So this is where I have to "step out"). Oh! I just had another thought - or hearing the voice of God again?!! Yes, I believe so! The idea of setting up my older daughters in their own apartment is another "safety hatch," another compromise. God wants me to step out - all the way! Return to the top Approved by God Date: August 11, 2003 I just looked up the "prove" in Romans 12:2 in the concordance. It is "dokimazo" - allow, discern, examine, (ap)prove, try - which comes from "dokimos" - approved, tried - which the pastor talked about in his sermon this weekend, about character. It refers to a vessel fired in the kiln, then examined and if found flawless, it was stamped "dokimos" - approved. That's what I want to be! And knowing that, it makes the fires of life all worthwhile - to (ap)prove the will of God - in my life! As the pastor said, "When you choose the narrow, difficult - right - way, your desires will become God's desire. You will abide with Christ. You will not flee at the first sign of a storm." Yesterday there was a great, glorious thunder and lightning and downpour storm after weeks of heat and dryness and forest fires. It was great! People were smiling and laughing and thoroughly enjoying it. Because frightening as it could be, it was a good thing in the end (assuming it didn't start more forest fires. But those are good, too, in the natural order of things. I can see a lot of good illustrative possibilities brewing here!). Lord God, I have to phone that man about the townhouse this morning. I have to admit, in my humanness, in my flesh, I am scared of this new move (whether it is to the townhouse, or whether You have something better lined up). But You have taken away my "spirit of fear" (cowardice, timidity) and replaced it with power and love and a sound mind (judgment, discipline) 2 Timothy 1:7. And Your perfect love has cast out my fear (1 Jn 4:18). I hereby claim these promises from You. And You are unchangeable. Your promises stand always. I am Your child and I claim and walk in the rights of sonship. Thank You, Lord! Praise Your holy Name, dear Jesus my elder brother, my friend, my Saviour, my King, my Lord, my God! In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen! Thank You for speaking these words of truth to me. Your Word is truth! I love Your voice! ........ "Pray... 'Blessed Spirit, I cast on Thee the entire responsibility closing against my steps any and every course which is not of God. Let me hear Thy voice, behind me wherever I turn to the right hand or the left.' ... In the meantime, continue along the path which you have already been treading. Abide in the calling in which you are called, unless you are clearly called to do something else. Only be careful to obey [the Spirit's] least prohibition; and where, after believing prayer, there are no apparent hindrances, go forward with enlarged hearts... But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas. There Luke awaits, and visions will point the way, where vast opportunities stand open, and faithful friends are waiting." ("Paul" by Meyer) Blessed Holy Spirit, Father God, dear Lord Jesus - I pray this prayer right now. Cleanse my heart, oh Lord. Forgive my doubting, my anger, my harsh responses to my kids and others, my gossipy whisperings, my complaining, whining spirit. I am truly sorry, dear God, and I confess my sins and ask forgiveness in Jesus' name. Forgive, too, my angry attitude and unkind, dishonoring words toward and about my husband, my children, even our pastors. Forgive me and cleanse me, dear Heavenly Father, through the blood and in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus. And fill me now, Lord, with Your Holy Spirit. Fill me and overflow me, baptize me in Your Spirit, that my life, my mind, my heart - yes, my body, too - may be transformed truly, and conformed to the image of Your Son Jesus, and approved in Your sight. Thank You that You have promised that those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Thank You that You always answer those who cry out to You and love You. Right now, Almighty Father God, Blessed Spirit, Precious Jesus, I do cast on You the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any and every course that is not of God. Let me hear Your voice behind me whenever I turn to the right hand or the left. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen. Return to the top All Things Working Together For Good Date: August 12, 2003 I just quickly went through my past 3 journals. Lord, it was awesome to see how You have just totally been coordinating my life. Amazing! All the classes, sermons, books, experiences, advice - and changes, like this move - are all totally intertwined with the work of Your Spirit in my life! Truly You are working all things together for good. Truly You are answering the prayer and desire of my heart to truly serve you and minister before You in whatever way You would have me to do. Truly Your compassions and faithfulness is new every morning! Joy cometh in the morning! (Lam 3:22-23). I feel that this is truly a new day, a new fresh morning, a new start, a fresh leaf in my life and my family's life (oh! how thrilling, O Lord, to see the amazing changes in my daughters, and to see my son turning from a child to a young man more every day; oh Lord, keep his heart tender to You at this crucial time! Lord, I was impressed by the message I heard, that it is better to offend people than offend God. And Lord, it offends You when I don't spread Your word because I'm afraid of offending people - starting with my kids. The gospel is an offense to those who are lost: but it is the power of God for salvation for those who believe. And how will they believe if they have not heard, and how will they hear without a preacher? Oh dear God, I can be a preacher! I've worried and wondered about that so much. And here it was all the time. We are all called to b preachers, evangelists, messengers of Your good news, Your gospel. Wow! Hallelujah! Praise God! Thank You, Jesus! Return to the top You Had a Better Plan! Date: August 13, 2003 We didn't get the townhouse. Someone else had already rented it. But while I was waiting to talk to the townhouse landlord, I was flipping through the classifieds, and I saw a new ad for a duplex. I phoned the owner. He said they had offered the duplex to someone, but were waiting for them to bring the money over. But if it didn't work out, he would call me. Around noon he called back to ask me to come and view the place - along with some other people who wanted to view it. So we looked at it and really liked it! He gave us an application to fill out while he took the other people through. Then he gave them applications and sent them on their way, but asked us to come to his home. And there he offered us the duplex for rent! We had a good discussion, then filled out the rental agreement and paid him. The rent is $200 to $400 cheaper than the other places we'd looked at, and though it is still more than we've been paying, I believe we can handle it because God has given us this place - I am sure! And we had enough money for the rent and damage deposit, in the most amazing ways, truly God's provision! We couldn't have afforded any more! But this way we have enough, even though we're "financially strapped!" God does provide! We could not have come up with enough for the other place. And this place is a lot better. Lord, I want to lead my new landlord to You. What wonderful people! And it is so right! They like us. They want us. They are very careful, serious people, and they right away thought we were the right tenants! Wow! Oh dear God, thank You for answering my prayer and opening the door! I love You! Return to the top Jehovah Jireh, My Provider! Date: August 14, 2003 Lord, I just Thank You for helping me trust You money-wise. I can't believe how wonderful You are and how You are providing. Always enough, usually at the last moment! Kind of an adventure! Thank You for the tutoring work, and please make the garage sale a success. Thank You for the holiday pay which will be coming in a month. This past spring was a pretty "heavy" series of experiences, but now look! So many wonderful answers to prayer, so many positive changes in our family, Your great work in my children's lives.... "You are so wonderful to me, can't You see? You're everything I hope for, You're everything I need, You are so beautiful..." wonderful, all-sufficient, all-loving, my eternal God and Father, and Saviour and Guide. Amen! Oh, Lord! How wonderful Your word is! How much You love me - a sinner, a person of unclean lips. Yet though You must reprove me for my sins, yet You also hear my cry and deliver me. What a mighty, loving, wonderful, eternal, unchangeable God we serve! I was going to say, "I serve," but then I put "we" because oh, dear God, I am so grateful and thrilled and privileged to be part of Your wonderful provision of a family, a church, all the believers, the saints of all time. How much You love me. How much You love us. How much You love all mankind, even though we every one have rebelled against You and gone our own independent ways. How true it is that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" and "there is none righteous, no not one" - yet, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"! Oh, dear God! Praise Your holy Name! How, how, how can You love us so much? love me so much? Your love indeed is perfect and eternal and unchanging! I praise You! I glorify You! I love You! My Lord and my God! Lord, I notice that words flow effortlessly from my pen, though they are more halting from my lips Lord, I do believe You have gifted me with writing; please help me use this gift to Your eternal glory in the name of Jesus, my Lord and saviour forever and ever, Amen! Oh Lord, thank You for the privilege of growing up in a church family, and memorizing, and hearing, and reading and studying so much of Your Word. Thank You for our wonderful pastors. Give them an extra big blessing today. Amen! Return to the top
Main Page \| My Articles for The Life Connection \| Prayers and Meditations \| Poetry Haida Gwaii Reflections \| Education & Home-School \| Family


	Main Page \| My Articles for The Life Connection \| Prayers and Meditations \| Poetry Haida Gwaii Reflections \| Education & Home-School \| Family
Sign Guestbook \| View Guestbook Comments? Questions? [email protected]	Prayer topics God's Call: Step Out In Faith Approved By God All Things Working Together For Good You Had a Better Plan! Jehovah Jireh, My Provider! God's Call: Step Out In Faith Date: August 10, 2003 The sermon last night really made me think... Character is defined by what you do. To believe is to put your whole weight upon: it is action! Difficulties in our lives are a crossroads when a person chooses one path: character or compromise. Right now I think I am having a crisis of fath about God's ability to provide for us financially. I have made the tithing commitment. And I think the motives for moving are right: it all started with ___ asking if we want to join the church as members and I told him I was holding back because I believe God wants us to minister in our own community. But God has called me (I think?) to help in this church and my kids are being helped there, and my husband likes it, and it has been a huge help to me (and I could take even more courses) and in practical terms, this new community would be a good place for us. The "problem" seems to be money - higher rent, need a new car, etc, etc. Anyway, ___ said, "Well, why don't you move to ____?" And I thought (I think that thought came from the Lord!), "Yes!" It seemed so simple. Till that letter came from Dad and the car problems came right at the moment I was ready to phone that townhouse rental landlord and say "we'll take it." Well, maybe there is a better place and the Lord was just slowing me down, like the story of Lazarus dying. At any rate, I do want to choose the right path. And somehow just sitting here on and on, worrying where the next penny will come from, but feeling it is the "safest way" sure seems like a compromise to me. God is calling me to step out in faith and trust Him to work out - to hugely provide for! - all our needs!!!! Wow! That just came right out of my pen - like God was writing it, almost! I was amazed as I wrote each word! But it all does make sense. It adds up to what God has been teaching me all along! I'm still going to have a big prayer session today - but oh, dear God, I do believe I am hearing Your voice! "Yes, Lord, yes! To Your will and to Your way. Yes, Lord, yes! I will worship and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me, With my whole heart I'll agree, And my answer will be "Yes, Lord, Yes!" Oh! And my husband thought it was a good idea. And he is my head. And he has really been trying to take his proper position. And I am to honor and obey him as he honors and obeys the Lord - which I do see him doing. Wow! Forgive me, Lord, for hanging onto the past and not expecting the best of my husband - and of You. It is not a person's behaviour that needs changing - it is his or her values. God wants to get His children to the point where He says, "You can do anthing you want," and they respond by doing what He wants. His will. So ___ was kind of right... "Do what your heart tells you..." The thing is, I am a child of the King and I long to do His will. And His Spirit is in me. So this desire, this plan... it must be from Him. Right? Right! (I think... okay, so it still "looks" dangerous... So this is where I have to "step out"). Oh! I just had another thought - or hearing the voice of God again?!! Yes, I believe so! The idea of setting up my older daughters in their own apartment is another "safety hatch," another compromise. God wants me to step out - all the way! Return to the top Approved by God Date: August 11, 2003 I just looked up the "prove" in Romans 12:2 in the concordance. It is "dokimazo" - allow, discern, examine, (ap)prove, try - which comes from "dokimos" - approved, tried - which the pastor talked about in his sermon this weekend, about character. It refers to a vessel fired in the kiln, then examined and if found flawless, it was stamped "dokimos" - approved. That's what I want to be! And knowing that, it makes the fires of life all worthwhile - to (ap)prove the will of God - in my life! As the pastor said, "When you choose the narrow, difficult - right - way, your desires will become God's desire. You will abide with Christ. You will not flee at the first sign of a storm." Yesterday there was a great, glorious thunder and lightning and downpour storm after weeks of heat and dryness and forest fires. It was great! People were smiling and laughing and thoroughly enjoying it. Because frightening as it could be, it was a good thing in the end (assuming it didn't start more forest fires. But those are good, too, in the natural order of things. I can see a lot of good illustrative possibilities brewing here!). Lord God, I have to phone that man about the townhouse this morning. I have to admit, in my humanness, in my flesh, I am scared of this new move (whether it is to the townhouse, or whether You have something better lined up). But You have taken away my "spirit of fear" (cowardice, timidity) and replaced it with power and love and a sound mind (judgment, discipline) 2 Timothy 1:7. And Your perfect love has cast out my fear (1 Jn 4:18). I hereby claim these promises from You. And You are unchangeable. Your promises stand always. I am Your child and I claim and walk in the rights of sonship. Thank You, Lord! Praise Your holy Name, dear Jesus my elder brother, my friend, my Saviour, my King, my Lord, my God! In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen! Thank You for speaking these words of truth to me. Your Word is truth! I love Your voice! ........ "Pray... 'Blessed Spirit, I cast on Thee the entire responsibility closing against my steps any and every course which is not of God. Let me hear Thy voice, behind me wherever I turn to the right hand or the left.' ... In the meantime, continue along the path which you have already been treading. Abide in the calling in which you are called, unless you are clearly called to do something else. Only be careful to obey [the Spirit's] least prohibition; and where, after believing prayer, there are no apparent hindrances, go forward with enlarged hearts... But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas. There Luke awaits, and visions will point the way, where vast opportunities stand open, and faithful friends are waiting." ("Paul" by Meyer) Blessed Holy Spirit, Father God, dear Lord Jesus - I pray this prayer right now. Cleanse my heart, oh Lord. Forgive my doubting, my anger, my harsh responses to my kids and others, my gossipy whisperings, my complaining, whining spirit. I am truly sorry, dear God, and I confess my sins and ask forgiveness in Jesus' name. Forgive, too, my angry attitude and unkind, dishonoring words toward and about my husband, my children, even our pastors. Forgive me and cleanse me, dear Heavenly Father, through the blood and in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus. And fill me now, Lord, with Your Holy Spirit. Fill me and overflow me, baptize me in Your Spirit, that my life, my mind, my heart - yes, my body, too - may be transformed truly, and conformed to the image of Your Son Jesus, and approved in Your sight. Thank You that You have promised that those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Thank You that You always answer those who cry out to You and love You. Right now, Almighty Father God, Blessed Spirit, Precious Jesus, I do cast on You the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any and every course that is not of God. Let me hear Your voice behind me whenever I turn to the right hand or the left. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen. Return to the top All Things Working Together For Good Date: August 12, 2003 I just quickly went through my past 3 journals. Lord, it was awesome to see how You have just totally been coordinating my life. Amazing! All the classes, sermons, books, experiences, advice - and changes, like this move - are all totally intertwined with the work of Your Spirit in my life! Truly You are working all things together for good. Truly You are answering the prayer and desire of my heart to truly serve you and minister before You in whatever way You would have me to do. Truly Your compassions and faithfulness is new every morning! Joy cometh in the morning! (Lam 3:22-23). I feel that this is truly a new day, a new fresh morning, a new start, a fresh leaf in my life and my family's life (oh! how thrilling, O Lord, to see the amazing changes in my daughters, and to see my son turning from a child to a young man more every day; oh Lord, keep his heart tender to You at this crucial time! Lord, I was impressed by the message I heard, that it is better to offend people than offend God. And Lord, it offends You when I don't spread Your word because I'm afraid of offending people - starting with my kids. The gospel is an offense to those who are lost: but it is the power of God for salvation for those who believe. And how will they believe if they have not heard, and how will they hear without a preacher? Oh dear God, I can be a preacher! I've worried and wondered about that so much. And here it was all the time. We are all called to b preachers, evangelists, messengers of Your good news, Your gospel. Wow! Hallelujah! Praise God! Thank You, Jesus! Return to the top You Had a Better Plan! Date: August 13, 2003 We didn't get the townhouse. Someone else had already rented it. But while I was waiting to talk to the townhouse landlord, I was flipping through the classifieds, and I saw a new ad for a duplex. I phoned the owner. He said they had offered the duplex to someone, but were waiting for them to bring the money over. But if it didn't work out, he would call me. Around noon he called back to ask me to come and view the place - along with some other people who wanted to view it. So we looked at it and really liked it! He gave us an application to fill out while he took the other people through. Then he gave them applications and sent them on their way, but asked us to come to his home. And there he offered us the duplex for rent! We had a good discussion, then filled out the rental agreement and paid him. The rent is $200 to $400 cheaper than the other places we'd looked at, and though it is still more than we've been paying, I believe we can handle it because God has given us this place - I am sure! And we had enough money for the rent and damage deposit, in the most amazing ways, truly God's provision! We couldn't have afforded any more! But this way we have enough, even though we're "financially strapped!" God does provide! We could not have come up with enough for the other place. And this place is a lot better. Lord, I want to lead my new landlord to You. What wonderful people! And it is so right! They like us. They want us. They are very careful, serious people, and they right away thought we were the right tenants! Wow! Oh dear God, thank You for answering my prayer and opening the door! I love You! Return to the top Jehovah Jireh, My Provider! Date: August 14, 2003 Lord, I just Thank You for helping me trust You money-wise. I can't believe how wonderful You are and how You are providing. Always enough, usually at the last moment! Kind of an adventure! Thank You for the tutoring work, and please make the garage sale a success. Thank You for the holiday pay which will be coming in a month. This past spring was a pretty "heavy" series of experiences, but now look! So many wonderful answers to prayer, so many positive changes in our family, Your great work in my children's lives.... "You are so wonderful to me, can't You see? You're everything I hope for, You're everything I need, You are so beautiful..." wonderful, all-sufficient, all-loving, my eternal God and Father, and Saviour and Guide. Amen! Oh, Lord! How wonderful Your word is! How much You love me - a sinner, a person of unclean lips. Yet though You must reprove me for my sins, yet You also hear my cry and deliver me. What a mighty, loving, wonderful, eternal, unchangeable God we serve! I was going to say, "I serve," but then I put "we" because oh, dear God, I am so grateful and thrilled and privileged to be part of Your wonderful provision of a family, a church, all the believers, the saints of all time. How much You love me. How much You love us. How much You love all mankind, even though we every one have rebelled against You and gone our own independent ways. How true it is that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" and "there is none righteous, no not one" - yet, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"! Oh, dear God! Praise Your holy Name! How, how, how can You love us so much? love me so much? Your love indeed is perfect and eternal and unchanging! I praise You! I glorify You! I love You! My Lord and my God! Lord, I notice that words flow effortlessly from my pen, though they are more halting from my lips Lord, I do believe You have gifted me with writing; please help me use this gift to Your eternal glory in the name of Jesus, my Lord and saviour forever and ever, Amen! Oh Lord, thank You for the privilege of growing up in a church family, and memorizing, and hearing, and reading and studying so much of Your Word. Thank You for our wonderful pastors. Give them an extra big blessing today. Amen! Return to the top
Main Page \| My Articles for The Life Connection \| Prayers and Meditations \| Poetry Haida Gwaii Reflections \| Education & Home-School \| Family