POWERFUL - THAT'S GOD!

We love this!!

 

11 Year-Old Proclaims Jesus Through the Bible:

 

 

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=09CJCJNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20-%20Mobile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=02/23/2013

 

 

Waiting....

February 22, 2013

 

Wait Training 101

By Karen Ehman

 

"... but they who wait for 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." Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

 

Ever feel like God signed you up for an intense "wait training" class?

 

You pray. You ask. You anticipate God's answer, but like an Internet page taking a long time to load, you must wait.

 

And wait.

 

And wait some more.

 

I had to wait years before I became pregnant. During that time I attended baby showers while choking back tears.

 

I had to wait nearly three years for our too-expensive-for-our-new-financial-situation home to sell. During that time, I pinched pennies and lost sleep.

 

And I'm still waiting on many prayer requests: for a spiritually lost loved one, a family friend in ICU, a plan for my high school son's future. Waiting, waiting, waiting ...

 

But just as physical weight training builds strength, so does spiritual "wait training." We are promised this in Isaiah 40:31:

 

"... but they who wait for 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."

 

How can waiting renew our strength? After all, doesn't waiting seem to sap our strength as we worry and fret and drum our fingers impatiently? It's exhausting playing the "What if?" game in our minds:

 

What if this doesn't work out?
What if God's answer is "No"?
What if the thing I fear the most actually happens ... what then?

 

All of this worry-laden waiting drains rather than strengthens. How can we turn this around and actually find ourselves renewed?

 

I have found that to shift my perspective in the waiting times replenishes my strength. I try not to think of those times of seemingly silence from God as waiting in the sense of sitting and anxiously anticipating a response. But as in waiting like a butler, maid or restaurant server.

 

Those who "wait on the Lord"—as in serve Him, cater to Him, help Him accomplish His work; those who take His order and bring Him what He wants—they are the ones who renew their strength.

 

They mount up with wings as eagles.

 

They walk and do not faint.

 

As we serve, we become more aware of what the One we are waiting on desires. We become alert, attentive, and in tune with His wishes. We begin to take our eyes off of our problems and fix them on the Lord instead. As we do, we get a glimpse into His heart.

 

Then, instead of the wait sapping our spiritual strength, it is renewed as we seek to do the Lord's will ... to make Him famous ... to give Him glory. Even in those long, hard times of waiting for an answer, we continue to serve Him.

 

Will you sign up with me for Wait Training 101?

 

You'll grow stronger spiritual muscles if you do. But we must commit to this perspective: we won't just "wait on the Lord," we'll wait on Him. Trust me, the tips He leaves are out of this world!

 

Dear Lord, teach me to shift my perspective during those times of waiting and doubt. May I stop fretting and worrying, and busy myself serving You instead. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

"By Your Side", Tenth Avenue North:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFvQQt6Nbh8

 

Living with our Eternal Home in mind...

 

Our weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen us moment by moment.

 

 

 

David Crowder Band's, "O Praise Him".....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVsF4W8V2Y

 

 



Proverbs 31 Ministries

February 7, 2013

 

A Year of Adventure

By Lysa TerKeurst

 

"... great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'" Lamentations 3:23b-24 (NIV)

 

A few months ago my youngest daughter presented me and my husband with a proposal. An iMovie proposal. Complete with dramatic scenes and credits that rolled at the end.

 

The message of the iMovie? A request ...

 

"Please homeschool me."

 

Oh my heavenly days, no.

 

No.

No.

No.

No.

 

I'm not a teacher. I'm not patient. I'm not even nice some days.

 

No.

 

I tried homeschooling this darling in kindergarten and honestly thought I was going to lose my mind. I would watch other moms do this thing right. They were organized and scheduled and undistracted.

 

Me? I looked like a dog's tongue when he's got his head stuck out the window of a truck going 70 miles per hour. Messy. Flapping about. Not pretty to look at.

 

Can you imagine the conversations she will have about me with her therapist one day? No, let's not add homeschooling to the list of things Mom didn't do well.

 

But then I got to thinking. What if I took a year of adventure with this beautiful young woman? What if I hit the pause button on all things typical and just took a year to do things differently? With her. For her. Could I do that?

 

Okay, God if You want me to take a year of adventure with Brooke, I will wait for You to show me. I need You to help fill in the gaps where I'm weak.

 

Then I met a math teacher who got excited about teaching my daughter a couple times a week.

 

And a fabulous reading and writing tutor just happened to have a few days a week to do the same.

 

My friend Kristi asked if Brooke could be in her small group Bible study this year.

 

Another friend asked if Brooke wanted to take cheerleading classes at her gym.

 

And I'd already been planning an educational trip to Sea World.

 

So, the year of adventure started unfolding in front of me and I held tightly to these promises: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him'" (Lamentations 3:21-24 NIV).

 

I had no idea how this year would turn out. I thought I might royally mess up my child's education.

 

But it has turned out to be a year we will never forget. While we are still living out the adventure, it has been a wonderful experience. One where we are growing, being stretched, and learning. Together.

 

One where we've seen God's great love lower stress when stress can run high. A year I have had to depend on His compassion ... to receive for myself and to give to my daughter. Every new day, Brooke and I walk this adventure out, led by God who continues to fill in the gaps creatively.

 

You too can have a year of adventure with your children. Maybe it's the year of them learning 12 Bible verses, one per month. Or maybe it could be the year of everybody making their bed at least 3-4 times per week. Or maybe it's the year of letter-writing, where you have them write one letter per week to brighten someone's day.

 

One leap of faith. One year. God's compassion is there. The adventure is waiting. No pressure. Just intentional learning and fun.

 

Dear Lord, equip me with the things I need for my year of adventure. Give me Your strength to help me step out of my comfort zone. Please use this as an opportunity for me to grow closer to my children and closer to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.