God's Hand on My Life

I soo love when I can feel God's hand on me and when I hear Him talking to me.  It can be when I am in prayer, through His Word, through a song on the radio, in a devotional, or even the words of a friend at what is that "perfect timing."  Have you ever been able to see how God orchestrated something to bring you to receiving the message He wanted you to get or even watched how He moved circumstances in a loved one's life? 

Well here is just a couple of examples of what I have been seing God do in my life just in the last few weeks.  A few weeks ago my son Brandon had come to me and asked if we could start  reading the Bible together.  We had done this in the past and so I was very receptive to this and we started  right away and I had him start in the book of 1 Samuel talking about Hannah's story and the prayer that she prayed etc.  I thought this would be a story he would find interesting and so we began.  It was around that time that I also found out that for the youth class he is in they would all be reading the book "The Master Is Calling" by Lynne Hammond.  I was excited about this because I just happen to have my own copy and decided that I would read it with our boys.  Their first assignment was to read Chapters 1 and 2.  (I had already read chapter 1).  We sat down, the three of us, and began to read (out loud) through chapter 1 and when we got to the end of the long chapter we stopped and they said they would read the other by themselves and answer the questions before class. 

In the meantime, I have been struggling with this whole issue of my weight and trying to figure out what to do to get back on track and start working out and become healthier etc.  God has been speaking to me through many different scriptures and devotionals and music etc. and getting me in position to, with His guidance, give this issue to Him so that I am not so overwhelmed and paralyzed by it that I just don't do ANYTHING. 

Today, I decided to read chapter 2 of "The Master Is Calling" and went on break.  In chapter 2 it just happens to talk about the story of Hannah and Samuel and her heartfelt prayer.  I was blown away that Brandon and I had just been reading that and had discussed some of the same points from the scriptures.  Then I read on and it started to talk about getting rid of the clutter in our hearts and giving it to God which is exactly what I need to do with all the emotions and the struggle of my weight.  God happened to have both of these topics in the same chapter of the book that I was reading.   This is just one short example of what God continues to do in my life on a daily basis. These may seem like small things to some but when it is happening on a regular basis and you know how you have been seeking Him......it doesn't matter what anyone thinks :)  He has been wooing me........

These things cause me to what to SHOUT at the top of my lungs that God is real and He is trying to reach each and every person and speak to them and show them what their purpose is for being on this earth.  He wants to tell you that He understands all that you might be going through and knows even the deep dark secrets you think you have hidden in your heart.  He already knows and still loves you.......no matter what!  He will never leave us or forsake us.  He is the ONLY ONE we can truly trust.  When all seems to have fallen apart in your life......you will always have Him! 

Do you feel that longing for something more......that feeling of something missing no matter what you try to do to make yourself happy?  Are you trying to fill that hole in your heart with other things such as food, alcohol, TV, sex, or any other thing that makes you feel good?  The ONLY ONE that can fill that hole.....is God!  He is the one that satisfies that desire deep within your heart!  He is waiting for you to call out to Him.  He has been there the whole time......waiting.  He wants to heal your heart........your pain and hurt.  He wants to listen to you whenever you want to talk.......He is NEVER too busy.......you don't need an appointment with Him!  You don't have to look or act a certain way to be "good enough" for Him.  Come to Him as you are and let Him help you to become the person you were made to BE!

The only way to accomplish what you were born for is to be in Christ, to trust in and rely on Him completely, to ask Him to forgive you for any and every sin you have committed and to ask Him into your heart, to seek Him first before anything or anyone else and to fellowship with Him....spend time with Him getting to really know Him.  Its not just about having a relationship with Him....we have relationships with all kinds of people that we don't really know.  We need to really know Him and know what He has promised in His Word!  He will change your life......I know.....He changed mine! 

My Boy Becomes a Teen.......

My son Brandon just turned 13 the other day...well back in December.  It was with mixed feelings that I wished him a Happy Birthday.  It seems like yesterday that I found out I was pregnant for crying out loud and these years have just blown by. 

Bran and I were sitting on the couch that afternoon and I asked him if he would like to hear the story of when he was born.  He did not think about the question nor hesitate for one second and said "no."  (and then smiled).  I explained to him that it is something that I think about every year and I love to share it.  He doesn't seem to find the same joy in hearing it.  Without his permission....I did express a few memories that were just aching to be shared.

Here are just a few of the happy memories that I think about when his birthday comes around or even when I am just sitting down and look at him or think back:

* It was a surprise when we found out that we were pregnant with Brandon.  We always knew that we wanted at least two kids but hadn't planned out the timing on it.  God knew the perfect timing!!  I wouldn't change it for anything!

* As soon as we found out we were having a boy.....he was affectionately called "Baby Brandon" from that day forward.

* The day (actually early in the wee hours) he was born my son Jared, who was 19 months, decided he wanted to get up at 1:00 am.  Little did we know that when we brought him in bed with us that my water would break as soon as we layed down.  Labor was quick (and painful) and he was born at 4:34 am.

* When I saw Brandon for the very first time...what stood out was the fact that when he cried he stuck his lip out like he was pouting.  It was the cutest thing ever!

* For the record....neither one of my kids looked like lizards when they were born.....just to be straight (for James' amusement).

* As Brandon grew up we had a few different nicknames for him.  Lets see.....Booga and when he had his own band (some day) they could be known as booga and the shoes (he loved to play with shoes) and for a while we called him Gooner.

Well....to be honest maybe I just needed my Mommy share time.....you know......that time that you get to share when your kids are really little and everyone wants to hear.  Even though my kids are older I still love to share about them but I don't want to wear out my welcome :)

So, in summary, I am the proud mother of a 13 year old that has brought such joy to my life over the years and what blessing God given me to be able to be the one that gets to be his mother.  I love you Bran!!

Thanksgiving........

So....Thanksgiving this year for us was on the Sunday before.  We were blessed this year to have my brother make it to dinner!  I can't even remember the last time that happened.  Praise God he doesn't live too far away but with him managing a retail store.....well you can imagine right?

We got all our groceries and had our plan in place.  Sunday morning with the house just about clean (ugh!) it was time to get the show rolling.  Halt!...James woke up with more tooth pain so after he put in the turkey (before I got out of bed) he went back to bed to try to let the pain killers start working.  Praise God our son Jared is the other chef in the house and he was a huge help with this years turkey dinner!!  Way to go Jared!

Bottom line....the food was FANTASTIC!  I think it was the best turkey James has ever made.  We pigged out!  Leftovers were next to gone on Monday!  At the end of the day we were blessed to have had our dinner days before any of the weather that came later in the week!

On the actual Thanksgiving Day.....well we didn't do a whole lot.  We watched a Law and Order marathon on TV and had some food and napped etc.  At least we were together :)

This time of year makes you reflect on where you have been, where you are, and where you want to be.  I have to say that even though we are praying for the right job to come along for James and money is tight.....I am soo blessed!  I have God who is showing us that He is with us every step of the way as we continue to seek Him.  I have a wonderful husband that I am so blessed to be with and so proud of!  Our kids.....goodness.....they have their days LOL.....just kidding!  Our kids are great!  I wouldn't trade them ever!  Family....friends....roof over our heads....food on the table....a car to drive (though it needs some help).  I am truly blessed and I do not want to ever take it for granted!

As for my playlist......here are a couple songs I have added recently :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mktjoryv_8Y  Bring It On - Steven Curtis Chapman

Now, maybe you’re thinkin’ I’m crazy
And maybe I need to explain some things
‘Cause I know I’ve got an enemy waiting
Who wants to bring me pain
But what he never seems to remember
What he means for evil God works for good
So I will not retreat or surrender

Bring it on

Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, I don’t want to sound like some hero
‘Cause it’s God alone that my hope is in
But I’m not gonna run from the very things
That would drive me closer to Him
So bring it on



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbDuM-f36Hs Keep Breathing - Kerrie Roberts 

Keep breathing
you'll make it
Don't give in
You're not done yet
Sometimes all that you can do is
Keep breathing and believing
Don't let go
Just hand on tighter
A little longer

Signing off......

-Gina

A New Season.......Ugh!

So I haven’t written for awhile. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to it’s just that when I would go to write I wouldn’t even know where to begin for that day. Ever been there? I think I go through seasons of writing and writing and then all of a sudden I don’t even know what to write.

So at this season in my life I am again in the tough position of having to be tested before I can move out of this season. Have I taken this test before? Umm……yes and I did not pass so…..here we go again. I truly want to pass this test and not have to go around this mountain again!!
Through it all James and I are seeking Christ. We know that no matter what the test, temptation, or trial…..Christ is always with us! Does this make it easy…..absolutely not!! Sometimes I struggle knowing that there are people that might be watching ……closely….. to see if I am truly relying on Christ and if I continue to walk the correct path. I am not perfect nor is my husband but we are doing the best we can to rely on Christ!

Those of you that know me know that I tend to have a song for the day or week or season etc. By the time I get through whatever trial I am going through I normally have a playlist :)  The first song for this season is:

No Matter What by Kerrie Roberts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA3MSqufJP4

Signing off for now…….

-Gina

My Princess.....Pray With Power

Yesterday I started a study on prayer and got through the first section that talked about desperation and do we realize that we NEED God.  It was good stuff!  Well this morning at work I randomly opened to a page in my "His Princess" book by Sheri Rose Shepherd and here is what God told me today :)

My powerful princess,

Do not waste your walk through life today.  Open your spiritual eyes.  Prayer is needed everywhere.  Anywhere you walk today I can and will order your steps, if you will let Me.  Pray while you're driving, while you're cooking, and while you're doing laundry and running errands.  Of all the weapons in the world, prayer is your most powerful resource.  Don't let the day begin or end without letting your prayers to Me pave the way in all you do.  Wherever you go, remember that part of your royal privilege is raising your voice to heaven.  So hold on to the promises that are yours and pray!

Love,
Your King and Intercessor

Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
                                                                              - Ephesians 6:18

Trials and Suffering

Do you ever wonder why, since our Savior consented to suffering, we try to avoid it at all costs? 

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10)

Most of us do everything we can to sidestep the slightest twinge of discomfort.  But dodging pain makes for bit of a stressful existence.  How can we expect others to connect with our faith story when we've edited out the hard parts, the parts they would most identify with?

In the world today brokenhearted people are expected to keep their grief  hidden and told to "suck it up"
or else they're told to find a quarter and call someone who cares.  Even Christians in some areas lean toward putting the lid on pain.  Don't show your weakness....we are supposed to be holy and saddness and pain are not viewed as holy. 

Today I was reading about why Christians suffer and why we go through trials and I found some interesting things.


 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. (Romans 8:17)

So ....I would think everyone would be excited about this above verse and I think that many people only read up until this part: only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. Hmmm....I don't know about you but I sure like the idea of being an heir but the suffering part doesn't sound as inviting. I have read enough at this point in my life to know that this is what comes with being a Christian. Things are NOT always going to be easy. I have also been reading and listening to some teachings about people that have gone to minister overseas and when they describe what people are willing to do for their faith I am blown away. People risk their lives every day to be a Christian in other countries. They are tortured and killed and as this is going on they still stand for Christ. Makes me feel like a big ol' wimp!!

What are we willing to sacrifice or suffer through for our faith.....for Christ? We are so accustomed to comfort. We need to have the right shoes...the right couch, bed, TV....the right food. All of these things are so minor when it comes down to it. I feel like I should be soo very grateful for everything I have even if it is not the style or color I may want.

Sometimes trials come simply to test and purify our faith.

1 Peter 1:6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. (MSG)

I heard someone say recently that God is not as interested in WHAT you do as HE is in WHY you do it. We all know he is interested in our Heart...our faith.....we don't have to KNOW every word of the bible. He is looking at the purity of our faith and sometimes we need to go through some things to purify our faith. It may hurt while we are going through but when we get on the otherside and see what God has done we can see a bit of how and maybe even WHY it was orchestrated that way.

Sometimes we have to go through trials to build compassion

 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.  (Hebrews 4:15)

I was just thinking that when I look back over my life I don't necessarily think fondly on the divorce that I went through in 1999. That was so very painful I cannot hardly describe it. As I have put some time and distance in there God still has made me go back and actually "work through" the pain and the feelings. Was is pleasant? NO NO NO! Do I think God caused this? Not necessarily but I do know that God is using what I went through for His glory now. He has been placing women in my path that are on the verge of divorce and I have gotten a chance to tell them the story of what God did in my life since that time etc and to encourage them. I know that God is using other things in my life as well. It is easier to reach someone for Christ when you have been where they are. They are more willing to allow you to speak into their lives!

Paul even talked about this in Phillipians 1:12-14 I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).... most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God.

Even though Paul was in prison he was able to be used of God. If we are to be able minister to others, don't we have to face some adverse circumstances and allow God to then bring us through to victory? To trust Him and know that he will use our circumstances as a great encouragement to others in the process.

What have you experienced that has drawn you closer to God?


What trial from your past is God using to minister to others?

Defining Moments #1

Is there something you remember from earlier in your life that was a turning point in your life?  Something that changed the course of your thoughts ......your attitude.....how you viewed the world around you?  My next few blogs I am going to talk about some of my "defining moments" as I call them.  These are times in my life that I will never forget .....no matter how old I get :)  Some of these moments may be joyful and happy times and others may be painful and wounding.

BIBLE CAMP

One of my fondest memories of my teen years was going to Green Lake Bible Camp.  http://www.gllm.org/  I went four or five summers in a row for a week each summer.  I loved it.  I remember the first year we took a huge bus with a bunch of kids from our church.  I met many new friends and people that I still keep in touch with or at least know where they are still today.  Many of us that first summer made a pact that we would meet the last week of bible camp each summer and a few of us did.

We experienced many things together.  We played games like underground worship (which I think was banned a couple years later)which...when I think about it now....really makes me realize that I did learn things there...it wasn't just all fun and games.  We swam in the lake and each summer they would still make me take the swimming test to prove that I could swim before I could go past the rope (I was a lifeguard in training for crying out loud lol).  We played sports, walked into Spicer (it seemed soo far) and did the whole water slide and beach afternoon, we helped pick corn one summer, we put together a talent show one summer, etc.  

One summer while we were at camp a group of us were talking one afternoon about different students from our school that had died.  We talked about fond memories of them etc.  At the end of that conversation our pastor came to get the four of us that were from B.E. and told us that one of our classmates had died on a boy scout trip.  We were devestated! There is more to the story that I remember that actually hurts to even think about.   As I think back though I realize that we were in the best place we could be with Christian friends around us to support us and help us through.  I really felt something changed for our small group from B.E. that day.  We had experienced something together that we will never forget and we learned things about each other that week that caused a bond of deeper friendship.

On a lighter note....we had the best praise and worship!  The chapel was beautiful!  We would all pile in there and start to sing songs we had learned and before the worship time was over we were standing on the pews singing at the top of our lungs to God.  We had great campfires!  We had time together to talk about the theme of the summer and even the quiet time was good.  It was awesome and we all wished that we could take that excitement home with us to our home churches.  It just never seemed the same when we got home because we had experienced and learned things that caused us to change and everything at home had stayed the same.  I remember crying every summer because I did not want to go back home.  I wanted to stay where I felt closer to God and where the people around me were experiencing the sames things that I was.  

Have you ever experienced something like this?  Something that...when you try to explain it to others they just don't get it because "you had to be there?"