Master Plan

It’s no big secret that I like to have things planned out and organized. I need to know what’s going to happen and when so that I feel like I have control over some aspect of life. But part of the problem is that in all actuality I have absolutely no control. Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just me?

I have been working on my need for control…and it has gotten a little better (when you have a small child, you realize that you can’t control a lot of things…like getting somewhere on time). Things just don’t always work out like we plan them (I’ve always been told that “that’s life”). So should we stop planning things? I don’t think so! I think my family would be under a lot of stress if I didn’t plan things out. But I do think we need to learn to trust God’s plan instead of our own, after all, He holds the Master Plan.

So, I’ve decided that I’m going to start praying specifically for God to help me see (and follow) the Master Plan. Sometimes, I feel like I’m asking Him to share His biggest secret with me! I think He wants us to see the Master Plan, but our human minds just can’t comprehend the “big picture” (as my teacher in high school, Mrs. Reich always called it). I am confident that God is willing to share anything we ask for, but we have to be open to receiving it!

On a side note, Ricky’s last doctor appointment went well. No bad news, but no good news either. He will go back in 3 months to have his bloodwork done again. Also, our church youth group is getting ready for their Discovery weekend in February and looking for a lot of help. Kyle and I prayed about it and decided to allow 3 senior high students to spend the night with us the 2 nights of Discovery. Please pray for all of the kids attending and all of the people helping out so that these kids will see God move in their lives!

When you fall...Get up!

I'm a...
busy mom
wife
house cleaner
home organizer
grocery shopper
cook
friend
But most of all...sometimes I'm a procrastinator...which has shown on my blog over the past 3 months. I put it off for a day, which turns into a week, then a month, and before I realize it 3 months have past with no post!

I'm working on my next post now!!! But I wanted to leave you all with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs by Superchick. Anytime I feel like I'm not good enough-this song shows me that we have to try in order to fail...so when I fail (so many times) at least I know I've tried!

"Get Up"

I'm not afraid to fall
it means i climbed up high
to fall is not to fail
you fail when you don't try
not afraid to fall
i might just learn to fly and
i will spread these wings of mine

[Chorus:]
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
we get up anyway
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
I might fall back down again
We'll just jump and see, even if it's the 20th time
we'll just jump and see if we can fly

I'm not afraid to fall
and here i told you so
don't want to rock the boat
but i just had to know
just a greener side
or can i touch the sky
but either way i will have tried

If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
we get up anyway
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
I might fall back down again
We'll just jump and see, even if it's the 30th time
we'll just jump and see if we can fly

i'm not afraid to fall
I've fallen many times
they laughed when i fell down
but i have dared to climb
I'm not afraid to fall
i know i'll fall again
but i can win this in the end

If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
we get up anyway
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
I might fall back down again
We'll just jump and see, even if it's the 40th time
we'll just jump and see if we can fly

If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
we get up anyway
If i get up i might fall back down again
so let's get up come on
If i get up i might fall back down again
I might fall back down again

Prayers for Our Children

My sister, Marsha, posted this on her blog today. I think this is a great way to pray for our children and so I wanted to share it with my readers as well!

That Jesus will call them and no one will hinder them from coming.
"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.' And he laid his hands on them and went away." Matthew 19:13-15

That they will respond in faith to Jesus' faithful, persistent call.
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

That they will experience sanctification through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and will increasingly desire to fulfill the greatest commandments.
"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39

That they will not be unequally yoked in intimate relationships, especially marriage.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

That their thoughts will be pure.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

That their hearts will be stirred to give generously to the Lord's work.
"All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord." Exodus 35:29

That when the time is right, they will GO!
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" Matthew 28:18-20

Shake it all around...Share God's commands

Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Ok, I'm really trying to get back into the swing of things. Having vacations, a sick baby, and now a whiny teething baby is not making things easy, but I know God can help me through it! He has definitely helped me through worse before!

Today, I want to encourage everyone reading this to "Shake it all around" this week! We need to be sharing God's commands and his love to everyone we see. Everyone needs to know that God is with them "to the very end of the age". In these trying economic times many people are looking for some kind of change in their lives or just someone to tell them things will get better. We as Christians should be the ones out there helping others in whatever way we can. Some of you help by donating money or food to those that need it while others lend an ear to those that just need someone to talk to. Even simple things, the "common courtesy" things like smiling at someone or holding a door for someone can make their day better.

I'd like to challenge everyone reading this to invite 2 (or more!) people to church this week. This is where I struggle the most. I like to help people and do the common courtesy type things whenever I can, but when it comes to inviting people to church or really sharing my faith I start to argue with God and tell him that there must be someone better than me to do it. I know I'm not the only one that struggles with this, so I'm hoping that this challenge will help others share God's word as well as me. If you have any helpful suggestions for getting over this "I'm not good enough to do this" problem I have let me know!

Without Ceasing?

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted. I've been trying to spend more time with family lately, and I'm finding it harder to balance my time, but I'm trying and with God's help I'll find a way to do it!

Everyone has heard to "pray without ceasing" but how many of us actually do this? Over the past 2 weeks, I just haven't been feeling myself so I have have been desperately trying to pray without ceasing. When you have a child, pets, spouse, and other family duties that all need your attention also it can be very hard. I find myself starting a prayer and then getting distracted way too often. Even when in church I'll occasionally find myself thinking about what to do for lunch, etc.

When I find myself completely unable to concentrate, I just pray one simple prayer over and over..."God, help me." He knows what I need. He knows when I need it. And I know He can help me!


So this week...Shake it for the Lord...without ceasing!