Quick overview

Nehemiah 9:5 - “Stand up and bless the LORD your God Forever and ever! “ Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!

Today was SO busy and here it is already tomorrow.. Started my study of the 1st commandment.. want to get into it more than I have had time for.. so hope to do that tomorrow. :D

Quick overview of today... Took the kids to the park with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Chris. The kids rolled in the sand and ate wild blackberries... had a blast. My dad got some really great pics.. which I will have to get from him at a later time to post.. but here's one of mine.

Went to costco for gas and a polish dog... not in that order but I thought it sounded better (haha) Followed with a trip to the pet shop... the kids loved that too. Came home and got to see Lauren and John and have macky chesse for dinner.. So it was a great day for them.

Marc called and said our parakeet had passed away... Darcy was at least 8 years old.. So I think the kids will be sad to find that out.. But didn't want to bum out there great day.

Then to wrap the day up Titus lost his first tooth! It was fun for him to be able to show it off to everyone! He feels really big now.

Thank you God for the great day! Please keep Marc safe and content while we are here having so much fun! Thank you again for this blessed time!

Yea ~ We made it!

Numbers 6:24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

What a day~ OK it started off with pouring rain. So I packed the car and all the kids and got soaked.... but managed to start by 8:15... 2 hours and 15 minutes has to be some kind of record for getting up and getting all of us out of the house. (had the help of Marc)

So 40 minutes into the trip.... with pouring rain... and my wiper blade goes flying off the car.... and now the metal is scracthing the window...yikes!

God provided Grants Pass just 20 minutes from there (with a car parts place with a parking spot in front of a large glass window) and a really nice guy to replace them for me. Which means that I didn't have to get all 5 kids out of the car to go into the store (like a walmart) and then stand in the rain and try to figure it out. That was a blessing :D It was only a 10 minute detour.

Got some snow around the border so that was kinda fun to see... didn't stick but it was pretty. At Shasta we were under this odd cloud... "doom-ish" like you would see on a movie. It was not like I have ever seen before... dark and heavy.. but you can see the light blue sky beyond it with the white fluffy clouds.

Well things are going OK after that... until 20 minutes on the Oregon side of Sacramento..... Esther, to quote her "I woke up and puke was coming out of my mouth" Lovely.... yet another blessing from God we were 1 mile from a rest stop. I am not sure I will be able to eat fruit loops for awhile, but got her changed and did a potty break ... so that was a 30 minute sidetrack... but good for stretching the legs!

Things were going OK after that until... about 50 minutes from getting here... and Esther sounded the warning that she was about to blow again... Anyone who has driven this area.. between Avanal and the 46... its windy and narrow and under construction and there is NO where to pull off... so the conversation went something like...

me: Puke on your blanky and we will wash it when we get to grandmas...
her: but I love my blanky
me: in know... don't get in on the floor... just on your blanky... shooooooooot... Don't move I will pull over soon.

Well we got here (30 minutes short of 12 hours).. and all is well (and now washed)

note to self: need to get car sickness stuff for Esther.

God thank you for the safe trip and provisions along the way!

And we are off.....

Didn't have as much time as I needed to do a study online today... we are heading to Ca tomorrow... 700 miles, 12 hours, 5 kids and me... I am really that insane..... Don't expect to say much tomorrow.. but plan to get in to the commandments in 2 days :D Night, night!

Ten commandments ~ To start with

This is the way that God starts the ten commandments:

Exodus 20:1-2 And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

I was going to start on the first commandment today but I think there are a few things I should go into to prepare.

OK, well as far as I can see God set the commandments up to be either something he commands or forbids. That it means it should mean more then just "thou shall not". So what is it that He is saying or implying that we should be doing.

Thing to note: God thought these to be so important that He made an appointment to say them and then spoke them out loud to Moses.

I see the page hits on this going up so I know that there are those out there reading it.. please feel free to comment if there is something I missed or that spoke specifically to you.

Also I wanted to add that are those out there that would say that we are no longer under "Gods law" since Jesus came and died for us, and to those I ask which one of these commandments do they think that God no longer holds valid?

Last note: God is reminding us in this that HE is the one that freed us from "the bondage"(aka sin)

God thank you! Please open your word to me and let me understand your will even better than before!

Matthew 22:37-40 -- Commandments

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Today I have had the luxury of spending most the day in my bible.. while this doesn't happen often its always nice when I get a large amount of time to do that!

Which should mean that I have some super great wonderful devotional today... well I wish that were the case. I have spent most of the day going over and over my bible cross referencing it ect... And some how I feel like I know even less... LOL.. though I am told this is a common thing.

I have been going over the ten commandments... actually for quite a few days. I was even pleasantly surprised when they showed up in the worship service on Sunday... isn't God good at that :D

But the fact that God had the ability to put 10 "rules" out there and spent almost half of those rules on how to worship Him.... well its intriguing to me. I know that if made up 10 rules from my house... I am not sure that they would be about me ?

So maybe I will take the next few days going over those.... But for todays verse I used the verses that Jesus said about the ten commandments. He summed them up rather well. Even though there are "10" they could be expanded in several areas... as well as summed up like Jesus said.
Rule one... LOVE GOD.... rule two.... LOVE OTHERS

Thank you Father for your word and the vastness of it. God please speak to me and other though it and let my actions and thoughts glorify you!

Hebrews 4:12-13

Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Ok I have recently been going over the way that God loves and the way that we are called to love others. In that I came across the above verse. Now growing up I can remember from sunday school that whole little armoured man picture based from,

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

It says that Gods word is sharper than a sword. Which made me think about how carefully we are to use it. Should the bible be used to encourage or to stab? I know that we need to use the bible to point out sin when the occasion occurs.. But how we use the bible should matter. Do we use it in a way where there is love and encouragement or is it used in a "your a sinner and I am going to stab you with it" kinda way? Which of those ways glorifies God?

I know there is a verse that talks about it.. But I cant seem to find it this evening... so I will update this later when I do.

God let me be armoured with You!

2 Timothy 4:2

2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (ESV)

Ok this is yet another verse that has come up a few times lately.
But I think its a good one to keep in mind.

I think its a good thing to remember that we are called to know what the bible says, and we need to be ready with an answer from it for what ever the situation.
While I could go into it deeper... its late so I wont.

God give me the wisdom and answers I need as well as the patience, kindness and love for others that you have. Thank you Lord for your grace and strength.

Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -The bible

Romans 15:4 (ESV) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

OK today's verses are a reminder that God has given us His word(Bible).
He has given it to us to instruct us on how we should live our lives.
Sometimes I think that we (Christians in general) forget that its the final authority in our lives and conduct.

I know there are times when I want to justify my own actions based on well.... whatever I can think of. But if the bible has specific instructions on that particular matter.. then I am to do what is Godly. But what about when the bible doesn't say for sure ? then what ?

Then there is
Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

I think if there is even a question you might have that you have to ask harder then these verses... then maybe its not a good idea.

Thank you God for being good to me, for instructing me, and most of all for giving me grace and hope!

Conversation with my 2 year old

OK hes barely 2 and didn't say more than a dozen things until the last week or so.

But the weather here has seemed to turn to fall already and so I pulled out all the winter jammies.

Eden was so very excited for his new (already used by his brother) PJ's. He starts yanking on his new shirt, while smiling and dancing around singing... Sheep, sheep, sheep. Which was really cute.... and really funny because the things on his shirt are not sheep... not even close.. they are Rhinos.

Now I taught him to say rhino... but several times throughout the day, he still was calling them sheep. Side note: to those that don't know our family as well as some. Ducks & rhinos have long been something that we have collected for the kids, so our house is full of them.


So it made me think... why sheep. Why not rhinos? What is it that makes sheep more appealing than rhinos?

Well there are the obvious things like sheep being soft, cute and cuddly... and they are certainly not aggressive like rough, hard, & sharp horned Rhinos.



It made me think... in all his wisdom of being two. He already knows what God has called us to be :D Sheep, sheep, sheep! and not rhinos :D


~ Lynn

2 Corinthians 13:5-14

2 Corinthians 13:5-14
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.


OK I made the text smaller today than normal. Mostly because instead of a verse of the day.. its practically the whole chapter. Some how I have ended up in Corinthians a lot the last few weeks. I should not say "some how" I know that God gives us His word for answers, for comfort and for encouragement. So there must be something in these 2 books that I need to be sure that I get.


I have found that people tend to act like people.... yes I know... that's an earth shattering observation... (note sarcasm) but its true and all of us people seem to forget that fact regularly.

For instance my rants of last night, when I am reminded of the fact that we all have feelings and we all have doubts and we all feel totally inadequate most of the time. It seem to make it easier to love others where they are at.... why... well because we are normally sitting there right next to them. With that said and in mind, I will get back to my bible verses...


OK in the first couple of verses he seems to be stating that they are feeling the way that most of us do. God has given us ways to walk in faith, and YES we all fail (regularly and quite publicly) but that doesn't mean that we are without the faith. In fact it reminds of us of our need for God, the calling for us to do what He asks of us. The fact that in our weakness, others can see His strength shining though.

I love how he goes on to say that he is not pointing these things (failings) out to tear them down.... but actually to encourage them. note: he is encouraging them to be more faithful... not to fail.

Which is SUCH a loving thing to do. How many times have we heard our own faults listed, without being given any hope or help (good news). It tends to leave us feeling even worse then we started.
I think this is a great example of a way to love others, to comfort, and to show mercy. Even when there are items to be discussed that are not so pleasant.
He follows up to say.....try harder. That we need to live in love and peace with one another. Because our minds are being focused on what God has done for us, as well as what He has called us to do.

Now I am quite sure that there are a lot more "deeper" meanings to the text then that. But I am thankful for what is there. The fact that people act like people ... no matter the time period that we live in, no matter the people involved. That we are called to act like people but people that God wants us to be. Then when we need help, that's what God is there for.

I think that James 1:2-5 sums it up.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Praise God for how good he is to us!

Wide awake

Well I can't fall asleep which is not all that unusual for me. I am tired and likely to confuse you..... so consider yourself warned if you decide to read further.
The verse that I closed with earlier has still been on my mind. Well that and a few verses before it... like verse 1 cor.12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
God has a purpose for us within the body of Christ. (the church) He has given the gifts that we have and put us where we are to be useful to it. I cant help but feel as though this specific chapter was written for situations that I have seen before. Where one can be made to feel useless, to feel unneeded, disregarded like an unwanted body part. Do we feel this way because we are not being the part that we need to be or is it because others are unwilling to admit that they are not the whole body within themselves. Can it be both? Can it be neither?
I find it amusing that following the verses about being part of the body and gifts, that it talks about love, that unless we love it is all useless.
I am not sure that amusing is the correct word.... I find it appealing that we are told that we all have a part to play and then told that we need to do it in love.

Love, what a simply complicated thing. ;) I think the answer will be both. Not only do we need to love.... but others need to love as well. This is the way that God set it up. Like I was going over earlier today (well yesterday now) we need to love each other with mercy and comfort. That's what allows us to be able to serve others where they are at.

Thank you God for that! Let me be willing to do that. Help me to depend on You to do that. God thank you for the struggles that keep reminding me how much I need you. ~ Amen

and goodnight :D

2 Corinthians 1:3,4,7

2 Corinthians 1:3,4,7 ~ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

There has been a favorite song of mine for the last few weeks and its been stuck in my head.
I was looking for bible references that might have been used in the writing of it. Since I would rather have bible verses stuck in my head than lyrics.... and I found these. Well I found the first 2 and threw the 3rd one in because there was a conversation I had recently and they were trying to remember that verse, at least it sounds like the one they were trying to quote. (you know who you are :) was this it?

He is God the Father. He gives us mercy and comfort. That's His example to us, and its also a calling to us, to do for others. That we will let Him use us and the experiences that he has given us to give mercy and comfort to others. Sometimes that's easy, we have been there and done that and have the experience to help. But what about when we don't, then what?
First I want to define

tribulation. Noun:
1. Great affliction, trial, or distress; suffering
2. An experience that tests one's endurance, patience, or faith.

but.... it doesn't just say to comfort others in tribulation... it says "in any trouble".... So that means not only tribulations that come from outside sources but from those that come from self inflicted sins. Note then: My focus for today is more on the tribulations caused by sins.

I want to define mercy and comfort as well:

Mercy - Noun: as in "thing" you do
1. Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's
power; clemency.
2. A disposition to be kind and forgiving: a heart full of
mercy.
3. Something for which to be thankful; a
blessing.
4. Alleviation of distress; relief: Taking in the refugees was
an act of mercy.

Comfort- Verb: as in "action" you take.
1. To soothe in time of affliction or distress.
2. To ease physically; relieve

Now I think we need to be careful when the situation that caused "the trouble" involves sin. I see a few fine lines here that we don't want to cross over on both sides of it.
We don't want to comfort the sinner to the point that they are willing/able to ignore the cause of "the trouble"... which is the sin. As well as the other side of it being, not showing mercy and causing "the trouble" to be even more aggravated then it was to start with.

As a mom of 5 little kids, I know that my life feels as though I run from fire to fire trying to put out issues and troubles all day long. I know that my kids feel more loved and see that God is in control of me when I make sure that I am calm in the situations that I am taking care of. As apposed to when I am trying to do it in my own sleep-deprived, over-worked, just-want-a-minute-to-myself mode. I mention that because that's what makes the difference.

Comfort and mercy come from God, and its only when we are focused on Him that we have the ability to show that to others. Its also when we are focused on Him that in our own times of tribulation that we can see Him making those available to us.
So that's where that last verse comes in. When we show mercy and comfort to others it allows us to be able to "partake" of their situation in a way that allows us to show them how to focus on God. As well as the ability to "partake" of the joy that comes with that.

There is this verse that has been on my mind the entire time I have been writing this and I though it was a good note to end on. I need to keep it in mind as I serve my husband, kids and others.

1 Corinthians 12:20-26
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

OK this got way longer than I planned. But I think that we need to remember that we are here because of Gods mercy and grace and make sure that is the way that we treat others.

Thank you Lord for being so good to us and allowing us to be used for your Glory!

John 8:31-32 - To: Jess pt.2

John 8:31-32 ~ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

OK Jessica, here's a follow up to your follow up question a few days ago.

You are worried that you are too skeptical for faith. You say

"Is it possible to be too skeptical for faith?More than anything I believe
in the tangible. This is where I run into trouble with religion, and
faith."

Well to answer your question to the best of my ability.... is I don't know, that's up to you... But what I do know is that God gave us something tangible... His word.. the bible. As the verse above states... If you abide in His word the truth will set you free... Free from the bondage of sin. He also gave us His son... as well as the Holy Spirit, but that's another topic.

There are many things that you don't consider "wrong" that the bible specifically states otherwise. (side note: I do happen to agree with you on that one thing, I think that God is all for capital punishment as there are many times in the bible that its stated "was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD killed him")
You don't have the same "moral code" as you put it.. as most Christians. In my posts a few days ago I talked about God being the boss. I personally know that letting God set the rules... instead of me setting the rules for my life is a better idea. When you decide your own moral compass you are doing it based only on the limited knowledge that you have. The thought of that seems rather scary to me.

You mention one of your "flaws" to be tolerance..... While your other "flaws or lack thereof" I consider to be sin ... sins I myself am in daily need of grace for. Tolerance is not something that Christians are called to... at least not the way that it is defined today. Yes we are to be kind to others.. but that does not mean that we are to let every evil thing flourish and parade itself around without saying something.

Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

See that verse seems to say the opposite of what "tolerance" seems to mean. God wants us to be transformed by doing His perfect will and not what the "world" seems to thing is OK.

You mentioned that you felt "deceitful/fake" attending church... and once you stopped you felt better.... I think what you felt was your heart being convicted... and of course you felt better after you were not being convicted of your sin anymore. I think the issue that you are having trouble with is your heart. The bible says

Romans 10:9,10,13 ~ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

While you state that you tried confessing with your mouth.... it felt false. Its because words are not enough. The bible states these things about your heart....

Ezekiel 11:19-20 - Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

Deuteronomy 30:6 - And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

You said "so now what"... Now its up to you, Do you want to believe with your heart? To let God circumcise your heart, to cut away all the things that HE deems to be sins. To trust in the fact that not only does He exist but that Hes all knowing too. To let Him, the bible & the Holy spirit guide your heart and therefore your life. Are you willing to give up the control? I saw this quote today and thought it to be a rather helpful picture for this.

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will
be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'~ C. S.
Lewis (1898 - 1963)

Well ....there is more to think about, I am happy to talk to you more if you like, or if you have more questions please ask them. Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"....
Everyone is a sinner, me especially, but God has forgiven me because I have acknowledged it, repented, asked forgiveness and desire in my heart to do His will. Daily I press on with His help. Daily I am reminded of and rewarded with His grace.

~Lynn

Ok Funny Comic

Had to share.... if I was a pirate chicken.. this would be me

Psalm 105:2-4

Psalm 105:1-4 Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!

I like these verses... they are like a to do list.

Things to do:
-Thank the Lord
-Talk to God
-Share him with others
-Sing psalms and praises to God.
-Talk about God.
-Bask (rejoice) in the Glory of Him.
-Seek the Lord and be strengthened.
-Repeat!

That's a list that needs to be done everyday... more than once. Of course there are tons of other "lists" in the bible... but I like to think this one is possible to do everyday!

Thank you Lord for your company, for your presence in my life!

Deuteronomy 28:9 - God's rules

Deuteronomy 28:9

“The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.

Not as much time today to go into this as much as I wanted. Clearly the Lord uses His word (the bible) to establish his commandments.

As a mom this hits home. I am the boss, the kids are expected to listen and to obey what I ask of them. Just as I am required to obey God's rules. (note: the kids are well aware that God is the boss of mommy and that I have to teach them as God wants me too)

My kids do not know better unless I teach them so. My kids cannot make new rules that they choose to follow instead of mine. As well as there is little chance that they will make wise choices unless they are shown how. (note how we cant do those things without Gods word/guidance either)

As much as I expect obedience from my kids, God expects obedience from His people. But the rewards of that are GREAT. God is our parent and love us and takes care of us even better than we can provide for our own children.

God you are SO good to us. Lord thank you SO much for that!

~Here's a verse I did last week. I am a huge fan of changing the pic on the background of my computer.. so I though I would share... if you click it.. should get bigger :D

John 3- Faith, believing -To: Jess pt.1

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:15-20
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”


To Jessica who commented yesterday:

I do not believe the issue to be whether you believe that God exists or not, But are you willing to submit to Him? The fact that you desire to believe is a great place to start.
The bible describes in the above verses that unless you are born again (aka Saved/forgiven) that you cannot see the kingdom of God.

So your issues with faith and believing.. I have a few questions for you?

Do you believe that the God of the bible could be real ?
Isaiah 45:22 Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

Do you believe that you are a sinner?
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Do you believe that God sent His son Jesus to die for you and for the sins that you have commited.
Romans 3:25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice.

Are you willing to repent ( turn away from and stop doing those things) of the sins that the bible say wrong? and believe that God will help you do that ?
Mark 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

If you answers are yes, then pray,
"God I am a sinner, and there is nothing I can do to make up for it. I believe that you sent Your son Jesus as a perfect sacrifice to die in my place. That he gave up his life as payment for my sin. God I want to live for you and I want you to come into my life and my heart and change me to live for you instead of myself. Thank you God, in Jesus name, AMEN"

This is what God requires from us... to believe that those things are true and to live it. That is faith.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith starts at hoping in something unseen. But it grows into a relationship with God. It becomes a change in you, that you see, and the more you live for God, the more you do see the amazing things that He has done.

James 4:2-3 You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Believing and faith are more than a prayer and a desire, its a change of life from the darkness to the light. When we pray to God it needs to be for Gods glory and for His will to be done.

Feel free to ask more questions if you have them!

1 John 4:7-11

1 John 4:7-11 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Migraine hit today...so not much to say. (as in... it takes to much effort to even think at this moment)
But I think it says everything and sums up a lot of the other things I read over this week.

Maybe more later...

Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:13

Philippians 1:6 - being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Philippians 2:13 - for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Aren't those wonderful promises!
What can I say I need a reminder of that constantly. There are so often times that I struggle between trying to please God and then being reminded of how truly sinful I really am. The struggle between what I can do for God and how badly I mess up.

Its funny ( in a non-funny way) how you can get side tracked by the very thought of that struggle and lose focus of the main goal.... which is to glorify God. But to glorify God you need God. Its not by anything we can do but a gift of His mercy ! ( Titus 3:5)

~Oh God PLEASE let me keep You as the focus in all things! Help me be willing and able to be used as You see fit.

1 Peter 3:8-9 - Love one another

1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

The bible is filled with verses that tell us to love each other as God loves us. Which is a wonderful thing. But as far as practical application, it leaves me with the question as to how to do that.
In this verse is says to "love as brothers". I am lucky enough to not only to have a brother but 2 sisters +2 sister-in-laws as well... so I understand what that relationship is like. I would do everything that I could to love, protect, provide and encourage them in life.

Sure I love my friends and family that way. But do I love others that way? Can I say ouch! I must admit that I have not always been quick to be as giving as I should be in that area.

Its easy to love those that are lovable... but to love those that you wish would fall off the earth (yes I am guilty of wishing that)... that's not so easy. So I need to let God love though me.
I have found the best way of doing that is by praying for them.... this means NOT praying about them (as in: "God please make them more lovable")
But in praying for them... "God please call them to you, and give me the strength to go out of my way to show them Your love." And "GASP"... maybe even talk to them.... try asking them if there is something that you can pray for them about. Maybe they will share something, maybe not. But keep asking... keep loving... keep praying... I have seen God use this simple thing (but hard to do) and do amazing things.

I have seen him use it in my life. Yes I still have a few hard nuts to crack in my life.. I think I always will... but God will crack them in His time. As the verse says, it will bring a blessing and its so true. In ways that you can only understand once you have done it. That mostly it becomes less about what God does in their life and all about how He changes you.

Thank you Lord for those that are easy to love in my life. Thank you for those that you give me to love as well. God let me be an example of you to them! Thank for for the many blessings that you have given me in those relationships. AMEN

Psalm 28:7

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield;My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.


Nothing long and drawn out to say today.... I need this verse... I need it today and tomorrow and the next day. I need it to remind me where my heart needs to be, where my thoughts need to be. It reminds me of the promise that I will be helped and therefor blessed when I meditate on the Lord.

God thank you for that, I need you so much!

OK survey.... a little about me

OK one of many surveys that have been sent to me.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Lyndsey Wagner….. the sleep # bed lady / old ford commercials and I think she played a super hero in a 70s Tv show

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED OUT LOUD WHILE ALONE?
If I could remember the last time I was alone I would tell you

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING ?
never

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Roast beef

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
I have 5

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I would hope so

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Yep guilty of that

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No thank you

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Frosted flakes or fruit loops

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
I do not own any shoes with ties

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I think I am probably strong willed

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Something chocolate with brownie and fudge swirl... or Bryers coffee

14.. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
the way they hold their face

15. RED OR PINK?
Pink always, Red never

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
my teeth

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
People who love me (in CA)

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
since I am not emailing it to anyone and putting it on my blog info... maybe ?

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Pink pants, bare foot as usual

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Cookies and cream skinny cow ice cream sandwich

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The kids jabber at each other

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Pink, Duh :D

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
My husband, cooking cheese, clean sheets

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My dad, mom, brother and sister (all on speaker phone)

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Very Much !

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
If I ever find one I like to watch at all I will update this

27. HAIR COLOR?
Dark Copper

28. EYE COLOR?
Blue/green

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
no

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Meat...Like tri-tip.... cheese is a close 2nd

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy Endings! I dont watch scary movies

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Becoming Jane ~ Great movie

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
brown

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
As long as I live in OR it will be summer... when we get back to CA then it will be winter

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
DARK RICH chocolate cake with coffee

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
N/A
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
N/A

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Peacemaker - Ken Sande

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
my finger

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV. LAST NIGHT?
survivorman

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Marc laughing

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
if I have to pick then the beatles... dont really listen to them but use to

44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
florida I think

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Um... I can read people pretty well

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
California

OK thats it :D

Ezekiel 34:11-12

Ezekiel 34:11-12
‘For thus says the Lord GOD: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.

God will seek us out, what a wonderful thought! And its so true, we all sin, we all wander. But if there is one thing that I have learned this year. It's that God changes your heart, not you, not your friends ..... not even your pastor or elders. Only God can deliver us and only God knows where to find us. So PRAY. Ask God to change you, pray for those that you know need to be changed. Love them as you are called to do and watch God change their hearts. I have seen it so many times and still forget so often that God is in control. Let God save you and then be willing to let Him use you to be an example to others.

Thank you God that you come after us. Please change my heart and please use me and my family to glorify You!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - Infirmities

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Either its a migraine or a backache or the always present cop-out PMS (or pregnancy)... I know that I use my physical aliments to excuse my behavior or excuse my complaining.

New note to self: Need to use that pain as a reminder to thank God, to be glad for it. I know we are to give thanks in all things. But it seems always easier to be thankful for the good times and complain in the bad. Bad times are good to, they remind us to to go to God and let Him be the strong (and healing) one in those times.

I am so thankful for my husband, who loves me not despite my infirmities and weaknesses, but because of them. I am so glad that he mirrors Gods love for me like that.

God thank you for my husband and the Godly example that he is to me. Thank you as well as for the "thorn in my flesh" and let me be quick to return to You for strength.

Proverbs 31:25,26 ~Words

Proverbs 31:25,26 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

OH Geez, I cant read Proverbs 31 with feeling like my worth is not even close to a ruby let alone far above rubies (plural) I am so convicted. She opens her mouth with wisdom and kindness. What a goal to live for. What a high calling.

I must confess that is not what I hear come from me most of the time. I pray that God will continue to mold me, that the things I say from now on will at the very least be measured with those words.

God please let me glorify you with my words ~

Side note, We had our baby baptized today :D and my sister Lauren and her John were there. Here is a picture of them with all our kids! What a blessed day !

Isaiah 40:29-31

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.


God is so good! Praise HIM !

1 Peter 4:7-11 - Prayers

1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Lord, Thank you for your wonderful salvation and cleansing me from my sin. Let my heart be in the right place, that I can love others enough to not feel the need to nail them on every last little thing that they say and do. That I will be hospitable to all. That I will be able to be a witness of Your wonderful grace. So everything that I say and do will be to the glory of You alone. That I will be humble and kind and loving and an example of all the things that I should be when I am going to someone. I pray for those to whom I go, that their hearts will be soft and open to your word and the things that will be discussed. I pray that no one will be quick to become angry. I also pray that I will be able to listen without judgment and that I will be open to anything that they need to say to me. That there will be a real reconciliation and not fake forgiveness.
Jesus in your name alone ~ AMEN



THANKS FOR MY SWEET LITTLE BABY TOO!

Romans 8:26-28 - Prayer

Romans 8:26-28
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Don't you just love how God answers all your questions! .... yes sometimes its not right when we want Him to or in the way we expected. But He is always faithful to us.

A few days back I was wondering how do we know if what we are praying is what God wants us to pray for. I guess that this answers it. While its always nice to have specific things that we would request, Such as salvation for loved ones or keeping so and so safe. There are many instances where your main prayer is "God please do Your will and give me peace about it".. Isn't it wonderful that, that's enough. God know the desires of our heart and how much we can handle. He knows that we are weak and frail and He is willing to step in and give us the right words and hearts to come to Him with.

God please do Your will and let me be a willing and able servant ready to be used by You for Your glory! Amen and Amen !

Philippians 4:4-8 - Being a lily

Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Meditate on These Things Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

New goal: To be a lily

In Matthew 6:28 (also Luke 12) Jesus asks those he is speaking with to consider them. Look at the lilies and how they just trust that they are provided for. They are beautiful and simple they don't toil nor spin. Now I don't need a dictionary to tell me what that means. As my friend called me recently "miss chicken little" .... I am a worrier... While I would like to blame it on one of my relatives... I cant.. it might be in my blood, but its my sinfulness that keeps yanking me back to it. The thing is why ? Does it feel good to worry?... no... Does it make things more clear to me to dwell on it? ...no... Does it give me the answers and the peace I am looking for? ... no..

So why do I do it? I have no idea? But I want to be a lily. I need to RUN from my anxiety and RUN to God. Instead of dwelling on it, The plan is to talk to God. Pray and call out to Him... it pops in my head.. then I pray. I need to make sure my focus stays on the right thing from now on.

Thank you God that I can run to you all the time, thank you that you never tire of me.

Psalm 72:18-19

Psalm 72:18-19 -Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.

I SO love that! What a promise, "Who only does wonderous things" can it get any better than that.... I just dont think so :D

Even when life feels overwhelming, How can you read that and not be filled with joy and peace!

Amen and Amen !

Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 48:17

Psalm 119:105- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Its a verse I think I have heard a thousand times. As well as a song that I have sung and yet why I am so surprised each time I see it become a truth in my life.

Isaiah 48:17 -“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”- ( NIV)

I am SO thankful that I get to be blessed every time I see God work in my life, yet it reminds me how much I am prone to doubt. Does that struggle to believe (ask with all faith) get easier? Should it? Would it mean as much to us to see answered prayer if there wasn't doubt that what we are asking may not be the right thing. I love that God is constantly willing to teach us. That he never will look down on us and say "I give up" That He loves me becuase I am His. He choose me and wont give up.

How I strive to mirror that kind of love, but fail miserably everyday.

Oh God, Thank you for loving me! Please make me that faithful to those that you have given me!

John 15

John 15 is 27 verses while I could give my thoughts on each of them.. I will highlight the ones that seem to mean the most to me lately.

John 15:2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

As one who is being pruned right now. It is not fun, but knowing that it will make me more fruitful is certainly encouraging.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Note to self: that's right and don't forget it. I can do nothing without God.

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

That's it.... abide in His love and our joy will be full. How great is that!

Funny that I have had what has to be one of the worst time periods in my life recently, and yet I have joy and peace knowing that God is in control. We can do as we are told to do and bear fruit in the process or we can resist and have it squeezed out of us. As one that has had a lot of juice coming out... and one who also has been willing to fruit....

"Fruiting" is a lot more joyful than "juicing"