Making the Exchange

I am bursting at the seams with excitement and thankfulness to God for allowing History to be made in the world. I could go on and on about the many records that have been broken during the entire election process.

As I enjoy and bless the Lord for the many miracles that have taken place, I also find myself repositioning from thanksfulness unto a prayer of sincere intercession. It's like the same affect that happened in Joshua 1:2, where God says, "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. "

In my translation, when God says "Moses my Son is dead", it simply means yesterday is gone, the elections are over. Then God goes on to say, "Now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people". This simply means, NOW go and do what I have commanded and commissioned you to do.

If you are unsure of what God has commanded and commissioned us to do, see the email that I received from a close friend in which it expresses my sentiment exactly.

From my friend:----

I have been really convicted about something the last couple of weeks, and something was taught at my church that summed it up for me. He said character is staying committed to something after the initial excitement wears off. I’ve been thinking about how, when President Bush was elected, I was excited about praying for him because he was a believer in the Lord Jesus. I had faith that he would hear from God and lead our country in a good direction. (This is NOT about politics, by the way. I never vote a straight party ticket, Democrat or Republican. I’ve even been known to vote for some Libertarians!!)

However, as the weeks and months went by, I became, to be transparent with you, complacent and lazy. I gave in to the lie that my prayers didn’t really make a difference, especially when I was disappointed, as I would have been in any human being with that much responsibility. I’ve been thinking lately – how different would things be in our country right now if I – if all believers – had faithfully prayed for President Bush these last 8 years?

I’m asking the Lord to help me be faithful this time, in obedience to His Word: FIRST OF all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, 2 For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. 3 For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior… (I Tim. 2:1-3)

I’m appealing to you to pray for President-elect Obama, starting now during the transition to his administration, and to keep praying. And feel free to keep us accountable and ask each othe if we are following through. That’s what sharpens us is “encouraging one another to good works”.

Here’s what I’m going to start with, from the book Prayers That Avail Much:

Father, in Jesus’ name, we give thanks for the United States and its government. We hold up in prayer before You the men and women who are in positions of authority. We pray and intercede for the president, the representatives, the senators, the judges of our land, the policemen and the policewomen, as well as the governors and mayors, and for all those who are in authority over us in any way. We pray that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon them.

We believe that skillful and godly wisdom has entered into the heart of our president and knowledge is pleasant to him. Discretion watches over him; understanding keeps him and delivers him from the way of evil and from evil men.

Father, we ask that You compass the president about with men and women who make their hearts and ears attentive to godly counsel and do that which is right in Your sight. We believe You cause them to be men and women of integrity who are obedient concerning us that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. We pray the upright shall dwell in our government – that men and women blameless and complete in Your sight, Father, shall remain in these positions of authority, but the wicked shall be cut off from our government and the treacherous shall be rooted out of it.

Your Word declares that “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (ps. 33:12). We receive Your blessing, Father; You are our Refuge and Stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation). So we declare with our mouths that Your people dwell safely in this land, and we prosper abundantly. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus!

It is written in Your Word that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord and that You turn it whichever way You desire. We believe the heart of our leader is in Your hand and that his decisions are divinely directed of the Lord.

We give thanks unto You that the good news of the Gospel is published in our land. The Word of the Lord prevails and grows mightily in the hearts and lives of the people. We give thanks for this land the leaders You have given to us, in Jesus Name. Amen.

End Quote

"God bless you all and God bless America"

Busy, Busy, Busy

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have been so busy and just have not had the time to sit back and blog. Between work, family, church, ministry, hockey and a part-time job, my plate if full. Believe it or not, I am loving every minute of it. The thing that I have to ask myself a lot times is, is my busyness barren? In other words, is my busyness barring or producing fruit?

Let's see:
Family? - of course, I sow a lot, they need me and it produces a loving Godly home for us all.
Work? - of course, I have to eat, and sleep - it produces food and shelter
Church? - of course, again, I have to eat - it produces strategies for surviving every day life.
Ministry? - of course, it's an addiction - and, it produces souls.
Hockey? - of course, my child's special interest - it produces scholarships, or NHL positions, or better yet, it teaches my son about discipline, teamwork, etc. (plus he's getting exercise)
Part-time job? of course, my son is in private Christian school. - it produces and enforces the biblical education that he needs for personal and academic growth which will subsequently play into his future.

So I want to think that my busyness is barring some fruit. And, it is not about me doing stuff, but it's more about me making my life count for something as I sow into others.

I thank God for the opportunity.

Happy Birthday to Me!

So today, I am 43 years old.

Except for an early meeting this morning, I have no plans. Only to bask in the greatest of God as I am blessed to see 43 years of his faithfulness and all of the many blessing he has bestowed upon me.

My mom sent me a Carrot cake for my birthday. Thanks Mommy!

My husband and I will do lunch on Friday because he's having a birthday too. He will be turning 45 and just as handsome as he was the day I met him. He's graying alot but I like it. I'll blog about him one day. He is the best husband in the world. He's just like my daddy. Okay, I don't get me started on that. Stay tuned for my blog.

I would like to share some of the things I will be thanking God for today. Each one signifies areas where God has stepped in and brought deliverance after some trying times.

1. My Health
2. My Family (Husband, Son, Mom)
3. My Church
4. My finances
5. My Pastor
6. My 2 best friends
7. My son's school
8. My job
9. My Home
1o. My Faith

A "No" that Blesses

My 9 year old son begged me to take him to church on Wednesdays night to meet up with his friends in his class. I did not particularly go on Wednesday because of my busy schedule, however, I couldn't fix my lips to tell him that he could not go to church, so I committed to taking him and taking a class myself.

Well anyway, one of the highlights of his evening is after class when he and his friends skateboard on the side of the building where there are lots of ramps/slops. Being a person in business, I understand liability to the full and saw their fun only as a huge liability for our church. It would bother me every time, however, the other kids were doing it so I would reluctantly let him participate. Every week I would tell him no, and then give in. My resolve was the fact that if the church was concerned they would stop it. Especially Big Willie on the security team.

At any rate, last Wednesday, we had our normal argument about him taking his skateboard. This time, I really gave in because Daddy's gave his input - "let the boy take his skateboard". Being the submission wife I gave in. (Really, I just didn't have the energy to plead my liability concerns to the both of them).

So he skated for about 20 minutes after class. Once he got in the car, he told me that they could not skate anymore. "Oh really". I said. He went on to explain that Pastor Bruce, who is sort of the Operations Pastor, I think, said that they could skate that night, but would not be able to do it thereafter.

I know that this may sound strange, but the way he handled it just blessed my socks off. What was actually a veto/no/rejection, etc., was a real blessing to see. You ask why? I know that Pastor Bruce had every right and authority to stop those kids that night right in their tracks, however, he was sensitive enough to them and very protective of their spirits by making sure he gave a "No" in a positive way. (Eph 6:4 Father provoke not your children to anger, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord). What skill he used as he modeled this scripture to its fullness. Not only was it a blessing to me but I learned something in the midst of it. "No" can be okay when the spirit of Christ is in it. Also, believe it or not, my son was not disappointed at all.

Thanks Pastor Bruce!

This is one more reason why I love my church.

New Blogger on New Faith

Okay, it's official. I decided to be a blogger. I thought that since I sit here and read everyone else's, maybe I will take time to write my own. Plus, I love to write, especially my thoughts. It's obvious that I have time on my hands, so why not use it wisely. I am not sure what I want to blog about, except that I do pray that it would edify and change the lives of my readers in some kind way. Maybe I will create a theme-type of blog.

Today is day one, and before I begin, I want give a shout out to my 2 favorite bloggers, of course, my pastor, Pastor Steve Coronna and Pastor Jamie Tobler. I read their blogs almost everyday. It helps me to stay connected to their hearts as I serve and pray for them daily.

Okay what to blog about? Oh, I know. How about FAITH. That's been a Hot topic everywhere I turn, and is something that is truly developing in me and challenging me all at the same time. FAITH - "The ability to perceive as real fact what has not yet been revealed to your senses". I have been walking with the Lord most of my entire life. All I ever knew was Bible, church, and more Bible and church. But in all of that, I did not know a thing about Faith. Not that I did not have situations in my life where I needed faith. I was able to overcome some serious stuff probably just by the Grace of God. It was surely not because of the faith that I know now.

If you really knew me like my husband and 2 best friends do, you would know that I was an undercover-fear-toting-basket-case. (It runs in the family.) Over the years, fear had consumed me in most every area of my life. I am sure I was good a candidate for one of those anti-anxiety medications. Satan had a serious stronghold. Not by bringing all kinds of crazy fears into my life, but by hoodwiking me to the point that the full understanding (revelation) of faith was hidden from me. What a sneaky little thing He is.

One day I briefly shared my issue with Pastor Steve, and before I could finish, he sent his then assistant, Jenn Tobler, into the bookstore to get/GIVE me a copy of his teachings on "Extreme Faith". It totally changed my life more than I could tell you. It is way too much to blog about, but what I will do is sum it up the way Pastor Steve did. Some of us walk by hope while others walk by faith. There is a difference and most of people I know are walking by hope.

As I continue to build my faith towards an extreme point, join me by listening to the teachings on Extreme faith by Pastor Steve. I guarantee you that your life will never be the same.
For Pastor Steve's teaching visit http://www.lwfc.org/. Click on the bookstore.