Steadfast and Hopeful

On this WFW I choose a scripture that I am praying will be the heart of all five of my sons, daughter in law, and one day for all of my grand-children. I pray they will never lose the hope they found in Jesus at a very young age, all the days of their lives.

This picture really touched my heart as I saw my son Joseph with his arms stretched out, in such a beautiful setting on the coast of Australia. I recently found out that a good friend he made while teaching in Taiwan joined him in Australia. I had been encouraging Joseph to visit Hillsong while he was in Sydney and he did finally go last week. When his friend met him, the first thing he told him was, my mom wants me to go to Hillsong!

My heart rejoiced to think another mom from Michigan is encouraging her son to seek after Jesus, and to think God brought them together half a world away. Hopefully I'll even get to meet her one day.

Lord, I pray you will continually watch over and protect Joseph daily. Let all his journeys lead him to you. Surround him with your presence and fill him with your joy. Thank you Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful son. May he have a heart after yours. In Jesus name, Amen

Join us today over at The 160 Acre Woods!

Word Power

Thank you for joining me today for In Other Words. Of the many wonderful quotes I've read over the years, this is one of those that I want to become a life goal for me.

There is a little phase most of us know, and probably learned at a very young age…,

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

I don't think a greater fallacy was ever spoken. If I asked you to think of some hurtful words that caused pain in your life, they would probably come right back to mind, along with the pain that came with them. We are all guilty, and we say words we often regret. Unfortunately, they can never be taken back once they are spoken.

Isn't it amazing how powerful our words really are? On one hand, words can pierce, divide and cause so much pain, but just like a double-edged sword, they can also bring healing, hope and so much comfort.

As I pondered on this quote, one of the first scriptures that came to my mind is in Proverbs where it says:

"Pleasant words are as honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

This metaphor brings to mind eating something delicious and delightful. Have you ever thought of your words as something that can go to the very soul of another person?

The positive, uplifting and kind words you choose will have the power to bring “healing to the bones” of the hearer! The marrow of the bones represents life itself.

We have all been damaged by reckless words, but oh the healing that comes from those kind and comforting ones. Just like an echo, one way or another, they are played over and over in our minds. One of the things I miss so much about my precious mother was her ability to say such comforting words to me when I was confused, hurt or feeling down.

However, I have been blessed to have an older sister who is there and does the very same thing. No matter what I'm going through, I know I can pick up the phone and she will say something kind or encouraging, and immediately I feel so much better. In Proverbs the Bible says,

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word can cheer him up.” (Prov. 12:25)

I pray I will be able to speak “kind words” to others each and every day.

There are always opportunities are all around us to bless and encourage others.
Just think how a simple prayer, thoughtful comment, or kind word could change the course of someone's life? Can I challenge you to make this one of your goals this year?

Every word we choose today will make a difference in someone's life...one way or another!

Lord, help me to be sensitive in the words I choose to speak each day. Let my words bring healing and hope to those who are hurting. Thank you father for the many kinds words that have been spoken to me. Be glorified in all I do and say, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

If you would like join us today for In Other Words, please add your name to Mr. Linky and post your article here. Then link back to this site so others can be blessed! Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Happy Monday!

Hey Ladies,

I'd like invite you to join me tomorrow as I will be hosting In Other Words. I will be sharing some thoughts on this insightful quote.

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echo's are truly endless" by Mother Theresa.

It would be great to have you participate with us tomorrow by writing your thoughts and comments as well.

Have a blessed day!

Friday Funnies

What a great week it's been! We started with Humor in Marriage, and now I'll end with some Friday Funnies.

Praise God for joy and laughter.

I look forward to these light-hearted posts each week.

Today my funny is about signs that tell you that you are getting older.(now I know this isn't happening to you...yet!) Oh my, all you can do is just go with the flow. There is so much humor to be found in all the seasons of our lives. Hope you get a couple laughs out of this one!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE GETTING OLDER WHEN...

You try to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren't wearing any.

At the breakfast table you hear snap, crackle, pop and you're not eating cereal.

Your back goes out but you stay home.

It takes two tries to get up from the couch.

Your idea of a night out is sitting on the patio.

All you want for your birthday is to not be reminded of your age.

Your idea of weight lifting is standing up.

Your address book has mostly names that start with Dr.

The pharmacist has become your new best friend.

It takes twice as long -- to look half as good.

Everything hurts, and what doesn't hurt -- doesn't work.

You wonder how you could be over the hill when you don't even remember being on top of it.

Please join us today at The Homesteaders Heart for some more good laughs.

I Am Not Ashamed

On this WFW, I choose these words that were written by Paul to Timothy his spiritual son. This was Paul's last will and testament to him as he sat in a Roman prison cell. There is no stronger charge for any of us as Christians then to study the word of God. This requires diligence, time, and great care as we rightly divide the word of God. With so much apostasy in the church it's so important we are not deceived by every wind of doctrine.

From many of the blogs I've been reading, I am so encouraged to see how many of you have committed to memorize the scriptures this year. Having the word planted in our hearts is such a key to living victorious in Christ.

This is the scripture I choose to memorize. The word of God is the only foundation strong enough to withstand any hardship we may have to endure. May the word become our life source, the very thing we we hunger and thirst for each day.

Please join us today over at The 160 Acre Woods for more awesome scriptures!

Song in the Desert

These are the lyrics to the song now playing on my blog. This is my prayer to the Lord for 2009. Soak it in, enjoy!

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides


And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare

God is my victory and He is here


And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship


This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

Lord this is my prayer to you. Thank you for being with me through every desert. I will praise you in every season of my life. I will declare your faithfulness to my generation. Thank you for all you are going to do this coming year. All glory and honor to you almighty God!

Humor In Marriage

Today's theme for Marriage Monday is Humor in Marriage. With all the stress we deal with in marriage, starting with planning the ceremony, the wedding day itself (as you'll see in this video clip below), to raising children if we couldn't laugh we'd be in big trouble.

In Proverbs 17:22 Solomon said: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine…”

Now isn't laughter an amazing thing? Learning to laugh and express humor can be one of the best tension dissolvers, tranquilizers, and shock absorbers ever!

I recently read that a child laughs over 400 times a day, but the average adult only 15. Maybe we lose something very valuable when we grow up that is worth holding on to? We sometimes take ourselves too serious, but thank God we have this wonderful outlet called laughter. It sure helps to lighten the load, and if look a little closer, most of the time we can find something funny in all our experiences.

I hope you enjoy this little video montage of some pretty funny wedding day experiences. My hubby and I laughed out loud as we watched it together. Now, that is what I call some great marriage therapy!

So I hope you enjoy it as well, and don't forget to show it to your husband!

Join us others over at Chrysalis for more humor!

(please remember to mute my music player first!)