Memory Monday

When I was visiting crownlaiddown's blog, I saw that she had joined in a new meme that the The Simple Wife has started called Memory Monday.

The goal of Memory Monday is to engrave God's Word on our hearts (or a fancy way of saying we need to memorize some verses). There are all kinds of reasons for this, and all kinds of verses that support it. Simply put, as believers, we need to know the Word. By heart.

So, here are the "rules" to Memory Monday:

Each Monday pick a verse or passage to memorize for the upcoming week. And the next Monday, we'll type it out BY MEMORY and choose another one!

I guess in theory, I don't need to type anything out today, but I want to start, so I'll type out a verse I know by heart:

Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

My goal for next week is to have memorized Jeremiah 29:10-13.

I'm working on the button for the blog. I'm having a little issue right now. (I doubt you can click on the picture and have it work. It's cute though!)




For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Because some won't be home

This is From BigMama's blog, and since I was one of the wives of a soldier over there in 2006/2007, I wanted to share the email too. As a matter of fact, the picture if my husband from Christmas when he was in Kuwait. (He's not at his desk but someone else's, but look at all the goodies.)

A few days ago I received an email from a reader named Amanda. Her husband is in the Army and currently in the midst of a 15 month deployment. They have two young children and in her email she said that although it is often difficult, they know it’s the path to which they’ve been called.

Amanda and her Bible study group came up with the idea to collect 2000 Christmas cards to send to the families of deployed soldiers from Fort Sill. They are calling the effort “Dear Army Family”. They are hoping that each family will receive a card that reminds them that someone across the country values their sacrifice and is remembering their family through this Christmas season.

This is an excerpt from the letter she sent me that outlines the program.
“Our goal is to send an extra Christmas card to each family of a deployed soldier on our post. We are hoping to encourage those that are walking through a particularly difficult time of deployment.

We want each family to know that the sacrifice they have offered is cherished. We are hoping for a personal note in each card.

Please include words of gratitude as well as words of encouragement. We want Army families to know they are being thought of across this country; that their sacrifice is important, and that they are being covered in prayer.

Please pray for the family as you seal their envelope, knowing with certainty that God knows exactly which family will receive your card. Continue to pray for the families throughout the holiday season. Ask God to bring them to your mind throughout the festivities. You will bring blessings to these homes.

We are striving to get 2000 cards! In order to do this efficiently, we are unable to give out personal contact information for the Army Families. Once the cards are returned, we will be addressing the cards and will use our own return address.

Please include your hometown & state with your signature inside your card, this will ensure that Army Families know people across America are praying for them and thinking of them. You may include a return address inside the card as well, but this is not required. Thank you for joining us in such a big undertaking. One extra Christmas card combined with the love of Jesus, just might change a life.

A few reminders:
1. Write “Dear Army Family” in the greeting of the card
2. Please include a personal greeting inside each card. Include your hometown & state.
3. Please STAMP the envelopes! You may send all the stamped cards in one large envelope or box to save on shipping.
4. Please return cards by December 1, 2008.
5. Please mail the cards to the following address:Dear Army FamilyFort Sill – PWOC Frontier Chapel4121 Thomas RoadFort Sill, OK 73503
Thank you,
Amanda

“Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.” Proverbs 25:25

These families will be without their spouses, mothers, fathers, brothers or sisters this Christmas season and I think this is such an incredible way to say thank you for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf. It’s a simple way to say we don’t take the sacrifice for granted.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Secrets and Taboo Topics

I've just stumbled upon two great articles that seem to speak directly to me. (The links are below.)

You know, I share...a lot...and sometimes too much...but I guess I feel like that by being open and sharing, I'm helping someone with the same problem or issue that may not feel like she (or he) can talk about. I'm pretty sure there's a lot of this "kind of stuff" going on nowadays than in previous days. Look at some of the topics these ladies are ministering to: Pat Layton, Kay Arthur, Ruth Graham.

As I have somewhat shared in recent weeks, my marriage is struggling. Honestly, that's the best way I can say it. I don't know what is going to happen. One of the things my husband told me was that sometimes he doesn't want to be married. I had to laugh because how many times have you felt that way? Or looked at your kids and thought...ugh really? Do I have to keep them? I asked him, "Don't you realize how many people feel that way?" He said he didn't. There are certainly times I don't want to be married but I made a commitment to God and to him, and darnit I want to keep that commitment! (BTW, I thank all of you for the prayers and the words of encouragement you've provided along the way. I'm believing God and trusting Him to do what is best. Talk about crying out to Jesus...shew!)

So, without further babble from me, here are the links to the two different articles I have found really interesting today. I sent the one about men to my husband, because maybe he doesn't realize that other men think the same way he does about things. The other article is pretty self-explanatory so there's no need to delve into that. (God has given me a sense of discretion, which at times I use.) If it's something you want to talk about, by all means, please email me! I'd love to talk to someone who has had (or has) the same experience. (These are both articles from Redbook, which I don't think I've ever really looked at. )

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

The Shack

Have you read this book?

I've heard about it. We had a stack of books at our church "book store" but I didn't see any there. So, when James & I went to Books A Million yesterday, I picked up a copy. I've only read through page 42 and I'm really enjoying it!

I might be expected the book to be earth shattering, given all the attention it's garnered. I probably shouldn't put that much into it, huh?

And, if you have it in you, please say a prayer or two for James & me. We've done a lot of talking, but we have more to go. This I do know - God is good ALL THE TIME!

(I'll be getting the sweepstakes winners stuff out on Monday. So sorry for the delay!!)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

A United House

There is a reason Beth Moore is wonderful teacher and why I just love her so much!

She wrote this post - A United House. She took the words right out of my mouth (or the words I was trying to come up with).

_______________________________




To my beloved Sisters who I esteem so highly and consistently find to be part of the solution to our problems in the Church rather than the cause.


Please join me in praying for our President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, and his precious daughters, Sasha and Malia. Go with me before the Throne of our sovereign God and ask Him to grant wisdom from above to President-elect Obama and the indwelling presence and power of Jesus Christ. In the words of the Apostle Paul, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior..."

Please also join me in the active and deliberate pursuit of unity and purity in the Body of Christ at this historical time in our country. I implore you in Jesus Name to have zero tolerance for prejudice whether it is regarding party-affiliation, color (whether you are Black, White, or Brown), economics or the like. Disagreement is not sin. Prejudice is. Satan has plotted events and planted attitudes that, should he be successful, will result in havoc. We must not stand for his schemes or cooperate in a single way. We would severely displease God and invite untold chastisement upon Christ's Church in our nation.

Speak clearly to your children and graciously but emphatically draw a line in your work places and social circles regarding your stand against prejudice of any kind. "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.'" (Matthew 12:25) A united house stands. A divided house falls. The devil has much to gain. But he also has much to lose.

We are the Body of Jesus Christ and we have an opportunity to show His character. This is our watch. We stand for what is right not from our feet but from our knees. I humble myself before you and make these pleas under such bold direction of God that I could not resist it nor disobey it. He made it a fire in my bones.I love and esteem you so much. Shoulder to shoulder, Dear Siestas. Let's leave not one inch for the enemy to come between us.

Amen!


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

A Future Hope

A Future Hope

“I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29.11 MSG

God has a plan for your life. Yes—your life and mine. The tragedy is that we often are too busy—too preoccupied—to hear Him or see His work in our lives. If you slow down and begin to “see” Him and spend more time with Him, you’ll see how God gently takes us by the hand and leads us, a little at a time, to the future that only He can see.

By moving us along gently, He gives us the time we need to mature, to develop the skills we need for the work He has planned, and to get us used to the idea that all that has happened in the past may, in fact, be part of His grand plan for us.

By revealing His plan a little at a time, God helps us adjust to the idea that His dream plan may be bigger than we ever imagined.

Prayer:O Lord. I trust that Your plan for my life is perfect for me. Reveal to me, even in small ways, how You are getting me ready to fulfill what You have dreamed up for my life. Amen.

Bible Readings for the Week Ahead
Monday: Jeremiah 29:1-14
Tuesday: Romans 12:1-8
Wednesday: Isaiah 43:6-13
Thursday: Matthew 10:7-20
Friday: Acts 26:9-23
Saturday: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Sunday: John 17:6-26

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

More prayer - but for Mama Siesta (Beth Moore) :-)

When I participated in a Beth Moore's Breaking Free bible study, one of the things I learned (and haven't put into practice like I should) was to replace the poisonous arrows of satan's negativity and my own negative self talk with promises from God's word. I pulled out my notecards yesterday and have been reciting them and every other promise that pops up from His word for the last 2 days. I don't remember ever being in a spiritual battle such as this, but it makes sense...we've started a new prayer study at church and I prayed that God use me in anyway to bring Him glory and to let His light shine through me. (God doesn't give us a spirit of fear, but prayers like that do sort of make me quake in my boots.) I also seem to have a slight problem of putting people up on pedestals where they certainly don't belong. They will only disappoint me. I think I gotta dual issues happening.

So, anyway, I appreciate the prayers, love and support I've received from all of you. And, if you want to continue the prayers, love and support for me, I'm all for it. BUT, my Mama Siesta is about to start filming the updated Breaking Free series and she is asking for prayer warriors! If you feel so inclined, please go over and sign up!

I wrote last week or so what Beth Moore's ministry has meant in my life and how it has helped propel me in a relationship with God like never before, so it my honor and pleasure to link to her website in hopes that others will sign up and pray!

Mama Beth - I love you and pray for you in your ministry work. I know the battles I face and I can't even begin to imagine the ones you do. Thank you for showing us the way and battling those forces so we may know Him!




For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

I'm desparate

Friends - I'm coming to you desparately asking for prayer for me and my marriage. Only God can save our marriage and change my hurts and my husband's unbelief. I'm praying for a miracle - actually I'm begging God for a miracle. Would you please pray for us? I can't keep going like I am on my own.

Thank you.

Agape~


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all the winners of the bloggy giveaway!

The Avon BondGirl cologne winner is: TCKK.

The CM Paper Album winners are:

KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com
Not the Queen
mannequin
Chrissiealexatyahoodotcom
Kim
majellamom
angel
slboom(at)hotmail(dot)com
zizziecards@gmail.com

I've contacted everyone, so I ask that you please email me your mailing address so I can mail your prize to you!

Congrats again!




For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11