God can Heal a Broken Heart but He has to have all the Pieces.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

March 30, 2011

Wonderful Snipets Mix Up


I have been reading so many wonderful devotions lately that I have wanted to write about but have had such little time. So I wanted to share a snipet from a few of them or at least their scripture, all which have come to me at the right time during my life. A great quote by Charles Stanley, "No one gets through life without storms. We are in one, just getting out of one, or about to enter one."
(1 John 1:1-3) - Communion with our Lord~The Word of Life             Statue of Grieving Woman
This is a powerful scripture which is so relevant to today's worldview. Amazing how Christ knew how much we would be impacted by the things of this world, not only in biblical times but throughout the centuries. Thankfully, he "rescued us."
(James 4:6-10)- Draw near to God
As we open ourselves up to the Lord, He opens up to us. Many times he uses situations and difficulties to get our attention and stimulate our thirst for Him. What appears to us to be a painful or desperate situation is His invitation to draw near. Have you let adversity and failure pull you away from God instead of toward Him? To put distance between you and Jesus, Satan will misuse the very situations that the Lord can utilize to draw you to Himself.
(1 Samuel 1:1-20) Hannah's Example~This is one of my favorite's, I had never heard this story and we can learn 2 things from her: 1. Staying Committed to Family-she displayed godly love by enduring torment by the other women because of her committment to family.  2 things we can learn from Hannah: 1. Communicating Love & Acceptance- She considered Samuel a "gift from the Lord." We have the power to build up our children and our spouses   - or tear them down. Through our words of affirmation, prayers, and parental hugs & kisses, we show how much we value them. Some of us live with difficult people. At times we are negatively impacted by the choices they make. God understands your situation just as he was fully aware of Hannah's. Draw close to Him and  experience His love & commitment to you. *Then EXPRESS the same to OTHERS.*
"I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." - John 8:12 I had to write this one down, it is so critical. Most people live trying to make it through life in darkness--spiritual darkness--and much self-inflicted pain and unnecessary falls take place, because most people in the dark feel they're doing fine on their own. But Jesus tells us He is the Light of the World, the enlightment about God, man, and life. Without Him, we are spiritually dark, we keep stumbling, falling, and are filled with frustration. If you turn on the light, really see God, and understand; everything will make sense.
Crisis Equals Danger & Opportunity
"That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:10
"Life is filled with crises. We shouldn’t see them problems, but an opportunities. Opportunities to grow closer to God, to seek His wisdom and strength and in the process and come through a time of danger as a stronger and wiser person, who has risen to the challenge of getting through a crisis.
Are you facing a crisis in your family? In your work? In your life? Remember it’s a dangerous time — a time of great risk. Respond poorly and it can be devastating. But seeing it as an opportunity to seek help from God and how to successfully navigate your way through a mine field of living, can make your life a better life, a more meaningful life than ever before."~Right from the Heart--Bryant Wright
I had to copy that one because it was worded so perfectly.

March 29, 2011

Fish Hatchery Fun

Ava had a field trip in Warm Springs Friday and we had lots of fun together feeding, looking at the fish & enjoyed watching her class play duck duck goose. It brought back lots of childhood memories watching them play! I am happy she has a great class & teacher. Alway makes mommy's & daddy's feel good about leaving them in the care of others.


YEP MY BABY GOT THE BOY IN DUCK DUCK GOOSE!!! SHE'S GOT SKILLS.




FEEDING THE CATFISH, THEY SMELLED REAL GOOD.

 THE BABY ALLIGATOR WHO PEED ON THE GUY WHEN HE TOOK HIM OUT. LOL IF YOU MET THE GUY, YOU WOULD KNOW WHY THAT WAS SO FUNNY!

 HUGE GOLDFISH

I HAVE ALSO REALIZED HOW MUCH I NEED A NOSE JOB, WITH EACH CHILD IT HAS GROWN & GROWN..........UGGHH THE PRICE WE MOMMY'S PAY! ALL WORTH IT THOUGH TO SEE THAT PRETTY SMILE ON HER FACE!

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Post It Note Tuesday= THE VENT












I AM AWARE OF THE TYPO'S BUT I DON'T CARE ENOUGH TO CHANGE THEM NOR DO I HAVE THE ENERGY......................HAPPY TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 22, 2011

This is exactly what I needed today...

My husband sent me this by email today and I just opened it and read it exactly when I needed it. There are plenty who need it right at this moment!

One Door
Closes..Another Opens
Revelations
3:8
When God leads you to the edge of the
cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2
things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! 'The power of one sentence! God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can
close..
When you reach the end of your rope you will find the hem of his garment.
I would rather live
my life as if there is a God,
And die to find out
there isn't, than live my life
As if there isn't,
and die to find out there is.
You are my 8 in 8 seconds. I am not breaking this.
"8 Second Prayer"
"Lord, I love you and I need you,
Come into my heart,
and bless me, My family, my home, my finances, And all of my friends,
In Jesus' name.
Amen."
"Learning to accept each other's faults and choosing to celebrate each other's differences are some of the most important keys to creating healthy, growing and lasting relationships." unknown


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March 17, 2011

The things given up~Thankful Thursday

Thankful for God's grace and healing this week.
My grandmother (Mamaw) who has been in the hospital all week, I am thankful it wasn't anything worse and that she is starting to recover
My parents (without them, I might fall apart)
My Aunt who is keeping my girls for me in the afternoon's and has been taking such great care of them
The spray tan I am getting from my friend's tanning salon this morning (and yes, I am already running late but I think giving thanks this AM was important) I am far too pale and the weather has been far too nice...so she is giving me a present!!! Love presents!
That I haven't exactly pulled ALL my hair out from this week at work (you know what I am talking about, we all have those weeks/days)
I watched the Passion of the Christ this past weekend for the second time, and it hit me in a whole different way than the first time I saw it when it came out. Lots of things have changed in my life and as we grow into a relationship with Christ and learn more of what was given up, thank you, thank you Jesus for your sacrifice to allow us to have the undeserving grace that we are given. I don't know if I am strong enough to take on what you did for all believers. Very painful for me to watch. And Mary, watching her son suffer so, being helpless, I felt a huge aching for her after seeing what my parents have gone through, knowing her Son paid the price for us all; what a Woman she was. I don't think there has ever been a strong woman and mother. Just looking at her face, in such agony gave me chills.
Let's carry on with the rest of our week, hoping to give thanks for all we do not deserve but have been given!
Undeserving Grace



With Love,

March 15, 2011

Tasty Tuesday~Cooking is Not for Me

I am not much of a cooker, I really don't have the time anymore since I am not home at night. But I do have a recipe that's pretty quick and the kids love it.

Tater Tot Casserole
Place Tater tots in bottom of a cooking dish (I don't know what they are called but they look like this)

I use a glass one though...

Cover the bottom of the pan with the tater tots.
Cook them for about 12 minutes on 350.
Pour 1 Can of No Bean Chili-I usually do 1 1/2 cans
Slice about 6 hot dogs and place on top to cover.
Cover with American Cheese shredded
Cook about 10 more minutes
And it's done..............I don't have pictures b/c well, haven't cooked it in a while. It is delicious, easy, and the kids love it!

Change your listening skills- Post It Note Tuesday












Only Parent Chronicles


March 10, 2011

Thankful through the Rain

As I sit here at my brothers grave , as I have once again got things confused, messed up for the day. I thought my daughters 5 year check up was this morning at 10 so I have rushed around all morning picking up, trying to get some laundry done and literally getting ready in 15 minutes. As I drive I saw on my calendar an appt. I knew it was for her appt so I was going to check it off. Turns our it's at 2:15. Great there goes the day I had planned. Getting only 5 hrs of sleep she could have gone to school and now I kept her from going and left myself even more exhausted from my 5 days of working until 1am. It is my day "off." tomorrow school is out....my mind wanders into everything that goes wrong.
I stop to see my brother whom I am missing like crazy more and more as it is sinking in more & more he's not coming back and I long so badly to just touch him & give a simple hug.
In all of this pain and feelings of inadequacy I look at my daughter and thank God she is here for me to hug & kiss, to love, even on our days of butting heads, she is still here. I could find a thousand things I do not understand in this world, but there are a million+ things to be thankful for and 1 of them is holding her "magic" wand anxiously wanting to get out of the car to see her Uncle. Even if he is not here physically I am
Thankful his memory is there in her heart. There is always sunshine even in the rain.
God bless, with love,
Heather

Undeserving Grace





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March 9, 2011

What I heard and saw today

I got a prayer request today from a woman at my husband's work about a family who lost their 3 year old little girl Sunday. Her dad had said he was taking her and her brother to chuck-e-cheese. The little girl got so excited she started jumping up and down on the bed. Well she fell off and hit the end table right on her temple. This happened on Saturday and she passed Sunday.
On my way to work this afternoon I saw what looked like a flat bed trailer that could have ran off the road. Police were everywhere. Upon closer investigation I see a motorcycle lying scrunched under the wheel. My heart dropped for both of these things I have heard and seen. The guy driving the motorcycle was sitting up against something so I could tell it wasn't as bad as it had looked.
By gods grace the guy was saved and by his provision that little girl is with him in heaven.
we never know what is waiting for us around the corner but by his strength we are carried. And by his might we are able to push forward.


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March 8, 2011

Valleys

To say life has been chaotic would be falling short of the truth. I have wanted to post on here for so long but just have not been able to find the time. Today, I have 30 minutes! My family has been going through a lot related to my brother's trial and it has been such an emotional roller coaster. Hope's are for it to start (as it has been delayed) because we have to emotionally prepare ourselves for what is to come each week we have thought it would begin. Prayers are needed during this time of uncertainty and despair. As I have been doing my devotions this week out of a little magazine that is sent monthly from In Touch Ministries, which I have found to be wonderful as they are quick life lessons. The magazine is always free if you are interested you can click on the link above.

A few days ago there was a study that really hit me and touched my heart to see things in a new light. It was called "The Believers Valley Experiences." The scripture reading for that day was Psalm 23.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.
 5 You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever.
This was the scripture used as the focal point at my brother's funeral. It is also on the Remembrance sticker I have on my back window. The devotion targeted the valleys of life.
"Where there are mountains, there must always be valleys and the same is true for our spiritual life. To reach the place God is leading us, we must sometimes traverse 'the valley of the shadow of death' (23:4)
We get to the mountaintops or the high places at times to rest a while, we feel close to God and sure of his love. But to get there we have to toil through the valley, where we discover His character, the truth of His promises, our own weakness. There are aspects of the Lord that we see only as we journey through the shadow. God wanted his followers to rely solely on him.
While walking in valleys is an inevitable part of life, believers aren't comfortless. Verse 23:5 talked about having needs met, including the desire to be soothed. God promises assurance, healing, and safety, even in HARDSHIP.
As believers we can shout 'Trust God' from the mountaintops because we have learned to live by faith in the valley. Walking in the shadow of evil is difficult and frightening work. But we surrender to whatever the Lord has to teach us in this dark place, our spirit is quieted and our faith is strengthened."

The devotion continues talking about the valley in the next lesson, "Equipped for the Valley."
Psalm 27:11-14
11 Teach me your way, LORD;
   lead me in a straight path
   because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
   for false witnesses rise up against me,
   spouting malicious accusations.
 13 I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD.
He touches on those who have a good biblical foundation will grow wiser through the valleys. He says "People with shaky theological foundation don't realize;
1. God is upholding them through their difficulty
2. It has a purpose
3. They must surrender to His work in their life or be set aside-still a believer but useless to the Kingdom
We, as believers, must know how the scripture applies to life. Those without a belief system that can withstand pressure, pain, criticism, , are at high risk. We need to build a biblical foundation so it will help in times of need.
Continuing the lesson he went on the third day about "God's Provision." Matthew 14:22-34 "No one gets through life without storms. We are in one, just getting out of one, or about to enter one. Jesus provides for us today just as he did for his disciples in uncertain situations."
The ways he does this:
1. Father gives Christians His presence and the promise that he will NEVER leave us.
- He offers comfort, courage, and confidence
2. He blesses his children with a pathway through trouble
- He is in total control of our storm and will use the trial for his purpose. We may not understand but we can trust his hand to guild us and accomplish good.
2. He offers believers the potential to grow.
- Hardships are excercises in trust and times to learn more fully who God is and how great His power and love are.
The last lesson, which is for today, is "Gratitude in the Storms of Life."
I haven't studied it so far, but am eager to do so. My typical devotion time is at night when I get home from work around 2AM when there is peace and quiet as I wind down for the evening so I can rest peacefully.

I know this was a long post but I found it most helpful. I am still working on the design for my blog so it may look a mess right now. Again, another time thing. Well, I have exceeded my time limit, as usual, and need to get going. But ask for your prayers as we continue through this valley.
God Bless, With Love