Now heres the praise. We prayed in agreement that my mother would have pain free chemo and no symptoms until her healing manifests itself. Saturday (the day following her first round of chemo) she looks the best she has in the last week in a half and has full energy and joy! Prayer changes things and God is so alive and still doing miracles today! My borhter was released from hospital today and is finally able to eat (still tender) but improved. I am not worried about this strange growth because…again…God is my healer and it is likely to be nothing more than an unsightly mole (in fact thats exactly what it looks like). I have had a supernatural peace…it is all God. If it were me I would be a basket case. Instead….I’m honestly unphased. It’s just a diagnosis and a spiritual attack on my family. This too shall pass. God has used me to speak His word and Truth over every situation. I see my family members member coming back to prioritizing their relationshi with God. My own relationship with my family has been strengthened through this. I see my dad serving my mom and having a hard time leaving her side….I see the begining of their marriage being restored. Many prayers are being answered through this season and I just have to give God the glory andn praise He so deserves. Instead of feeling sorry for myself and looking on the natural circumstances I’m seeing God at work and with us….and it gives me joy.

Just wanted to update you all quickly. Thanks for your prayers! Oh and my mom just texted me…she was scheduled for round 2 of chemo today but instead she gets to go home!

Love and Peace

~S

Recently I have tried to squeeze in time to work on my dream career. Writing is a big part of that dream. I am disciplining myself to prioritize pursuing my dream….or it won’t come to pass. I have prayed on this for a while (hence why my time with God is one of my biggest “free time” commitments). Sometimes God just wants us to do something. Waiting around to get a huge obvious answer from God may be a waste of time (not always, but maybe). God is in fact leading me, one step at a time, little by little. As I write this I recall in a previous post (I don’t know the specific one off the top of my head and for times sake I’m not going to hunt it down and link to it at this very moment, I’ll edit that in later) of a scripture that really spoke to me on how God led the Israelite’s little by little. God has used my sister as an inspiration and resource for guidance.

My sister has her own Mary Kay business and is quite successful at it. Any ladies wanting some good make up tips can view her webpage at http://www.sarahlight.org/author/sarah_light/. She directed me to start subscribing to the following podcasts: Michael Hyatt This is Your Life, Dave Ramsey’s  EntreLeadership, Seth Godin’s Lynchpin. So far these have been amazingly helpful and motivational podcasts to get me focused, disciplined, and taking action toward my dreams. Of course God has a big say in the plans to. I realize that we may plan but He ultimately directs and guides if we lean on Him to do so. But also….we have a responsibility to be wise stewards of our time. “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I believe that part of rejoicing in our day is to be productive and diligent at completing our tasks. This is part of living life to the fullest. The key to this (in my opinion) is discipline. When I start my day, I begin by spending time with God and then planning my day. After I write my list of tasks that need to be accomplished I cast it to God. I ask Him to help me and to guide me with completing what is most important. Not everything on my list gets completed. Life happens. Things take longer than expected, something that I forgot pops up, etc. I used to beat myself up and think I failed when I couldn’t get it all done. I used to get all bent out of shape and flustered when MY plans were not working out that way I anticipated them to. But God is always there and He knew what was ahead. Now I walk through my day with Him and trust that He will see that I get done what needs to get done, when it needs to get done.

It takes discipline to eat healthy, work out consistently, spend time with God daily, work, spend time with friends and family, and allow rest and play in your schedule as well. It takes balance. I have learned by trial and error. Again…God is leading me to work on what is His best. What I may want to do (sleep, play, socialize) may not be what He wants me to do. Other than 7 hours of sleep (unless fighting a virus) there really is no need for more. As much as I would love to hang out with friends every day I have to tell myself no. As much as I love chocolate I can’t eat it all the time. Discipline and self control go against our flesh. When I say that I love working out…that is not entirely honest. The actual working out part is often uncomfortable and brutal to me. What I love is the sense of accomplishment and knowing that I am taking care of my body. I love how I feel after. But it still takes A LOT of discipline to get me off my booty and running.

Anyone wanting to know more how to develop more discipline check out Michael Hyatt’s page:

http://michaelhyatt.com/036-how-to-develop-more-discipline-podcast.html

My mother is undergoing a series of medical tests. There is some sort of growth on her liver and we are waiting to hear what the results of it are. I am standing in faith with her on her healing. God’s report is better than any doctor’s report.

I have been fighting fear of the worst with my mother’s health. I have also been fighting fear of being by myself in a new house. The house makes lots of noises and creaks and it freaks me out at night. But I remind myself that “God did not give me a Spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Perfect love casts out all fear.” I also have the protection of the blood of Jesus and legions of angels watching over me. I meditate on God’s word and remind myself to “be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed for the Lord is with..” me.

I am also dealing with some financial difficulties and have to remind myself of God’s provision and favor. Here’s what Proverb’s 3:7-10 says about this:

⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.

⁸ It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income;

¹⁰ So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.

This covers both words of encouragement in the physical health and financial realm. This chapter nails the point home of the importance of seeking Wisdom. With wisdom comes long life and riches (Prov 3:15-16). Wisdom is more valuable than fine gold and precious stones. Wisdom is life.

As for fear of being alone at night…God showed me this in Proverbs 3:24. “When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.”

I also receive the blessings in this chapter on my house…verse 33…He declares blessed (joyful and favored with blessings) the home of the just and consistently righteous.

Reblogged from A "Literal" approach to God's word:

This is a combination of the old Author or about page, and the original post, God loves you... I updated my about page and put the old one here since it goes with the post anyway.

The author

First thing to know about me is that I am very married, first to the word of God, and then to my wife Laurie.

Read more… 2,142 more words

I for some reason seem to have lost my motivation for just about everything. Maybe because I’m tired and worn out. I seem to not be able to focus on anything. When I do decide to get something done I just can’t seem to stay motivated. I have no idea what is wrong with me but it’s really bothering me. I’m praying about it because I don’t like it at all. Maybe I just took too much on. A move is also a really big deal, and adjusting to a new schedule.

ANYWAYS…I want to write briefly about what I read in Ecclesiastes today. It is about seizing the day because life is short and we all die. Yes…that sounds depressing but it is truth. The righteous and the wicked both die. Sometimes the good get what the bad deserve and the bad get what the good deserve….life does not make sense….and even the wisest man whoever lived (King Solomon) couldn’t figure it out. However, loving God makes it all worth living. There is a joy and peace that a person who does not know God does not have or experience. I can’t explain why despite my natural circumstance I still sing with praise, shout for joy and have a peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s the unexplainable and uncomprehendable power of God. When I work, I truly do my best to work whole heartedly even if one day is better than the other. I can’t expect a perfect performance of myself…its’ just not fair to myself. That is probably another reason why I have been so tired. I have placed this unrealistic expectation on myself to do a perfect job and to do way too much in one day. The next day I can barely do half of what I did before. So I have to learn the balance. Slow and steady wins the race. I learned in Ecclesiastes that it is good to embrace your youth. In fact the writer encourages the young to cherish it because it quickly fades. I’m not going to try to grow up too quickly…I already feel like I have. I’ll be 30 in a few years and that is shocking that my twenties are quickly passing. I’m blown away at how fast a work week goes by. I wake up and it’s Monday morning and then it’s Friday just like that. That is why it is so important to seize the day. To make the most of every day. To realize that each day is a gift and there is a blessing in every day…even if it doesn’t feel like it. Slowing down to appreciate nature, spend a mindful moment with your loved ones, play with your dog, etc…all help. “Stop and smell the roses.”

I hope to eventually write more frequently once I settle into the house. For now it looks like its about a once a week post. I’m believing that I’ll have a more focused post next time for you all too.

Some of the scriptures I read this week are Proverbs 28 and 29. In the NLT Life Application Study Bible study notes on these two chapters two topics are addressed- diligence and qualities of a good leader. Here are some of the things that Proverbs says about diligence (Being willing to work hard and do one’s best at any job given to them):

The diligent become rich, gather their crops, have plenty of food, gain many rewards, will become leaders, make good use of resources, will prosper, bring profit, walk on an open path, stay awake and have food to spare, make careful plans, love to give, will serve before kings, and reap abundance through hard work.

Lets look at what happens to the lazy….
They are soon poor, sleep during harvest, are viewed as an annoyance, have no sense, will become slaves, waste good resources, want much but get little, experience poverty, their path is blocked, are like those who destroy, go hungry, won’t feed themselves, won’t plow in season, love sleep and grow poor, make hasty shortcuts, desire things but refuse to work for them, are full of excuses for not working, sleep too much, which leads to poverty, experience poverty because of laziness.

So, to sum it up. You won’t gain wealth without diligence. So the trust fund babies that do nothing to keep that wealth but squander it will soon be poor. Lazy people and greedy people try to get rich quick without working for it. So many studies have shown that most of the lottery winners end right back in poverty. Greed causes fighting, trusting the Lord leads to prosperity (Proverbs 28:25).

So my new focus on the next few posts will be about working diligently, living wisely, and financial responsibility. The book of Proverbs is an excellent source for this topic so that is what I will be referring to. Feel free to comment on any particular topic, chapter, or theme found in Proverbs you would like to see discussed.

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.^e

As I mentioned in  my BE STILL post, I am praying for direction on a new job/career. I am slowly getting more ideas and guidance on this. One of these is that I need to change my current attitude toward my position and employer to a more grateful and positive attitude. I need to step it up in quite a few areas. I have a Bible app on my tablet and it would get glitchy or touchy sometimes. At least three times the above scripture would come on my screen. I knew God was trying to tell me something. This again was confirmed on Sunday, with a conversation I had with a friend who shared of being in a similar situation of feeling unsatisfied and stuck with his work. He was told (by an older mentor)  to start going above and beyond the call of duty at work. For example, if he got all of his work done by 4 pm and could rightfully go home, he would stay and help a colleague get their work done. This is what it looks like to work unto the Lord. I also read the parable of the servants that received talents from their master (Mathew 24:14-30). My eyes were opened from this scripture and also in the conversation on Sunday that God will not give you more until you show him you can be responsible with what he has already given you. So…there is my answer. And I have work to do. And I will do it cheerfully and delight myself in it.

God has blessed me so much in my life.  I love giving back to him. I love giving Him my time, finances, loving/ministering to others, etc. Except at work. My attitude got so bitter and resentful towards my employer and the whole system that I work in that I would barely give the minimum expectation. I justified this by the thought process of “why would I give any more, its not like they will recognize my work, compensate me for my extra time, or give me a raise or promotion.” It was a poor attitude. There are also quite a few unethical people that lack integrity in their time at work and I have followed this example. God is dealing with me on this issue. My attitude is now changed to realize how big of a blessing and privilege it is to work, have a stable, steady income, secure job, etc. I am waking up earlier, making the most of my day, being a productive as I can in a day’s time, and I have time to do the things I love in my spare time. My conscience is now clear and I am walking in integrity. I will continue to faithfully do this and believe wholeheartedly that in time God will lead me to a job I will prosper and thrive in.

I am excited for this revelation and am so glad to be reminded that I am working for God, not for people. This puts a whole new spin on my work day and makes it so enriching!

I love the Message version of Eph 1:3-23:

The God of Glory

^3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

^7-10 Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

^11-12 It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

^13-14 It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

^15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

^20-23 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

The lengths that God has gone to draw us to Him! My heart is still so blown away at His vast love. I grew up going to church. I heard this message many times….but I didn’t get it. I’m still processing it. It has not been until very recently that I have been moved to tears at His immense love for me. The measures that He takes to continue to call me higher and draw me closer to Him each day is life changing, when I actually slow down and look at how He’s done it. The people He placed in my life, the church He’s drawn me to, the messages I hear. And He did this all for me, one person. A sinner. If He did it for me He is and will do it for you.

This is not to encourage complacency and laziness either. We need to constantly turn to God for guidance. Sometimes He will direct you to wait, other times He will want you to do some work. For me, waiting and resting feel like work. It takes more energy for me to slow down and chill then to go, go, go. Other people might have the opposite issue. They may expect God to do all the work for them. I love the saying “God can move mountains but we need to bring the shovel and wheel barrel.”

God’s Word and prayer are how I hear best from God. Sometimes He will use other people to confirm something or situations. A lack of peace or divine discontent could be something He uses as well. First and foremost, He speaks to me through His written Word. Sometimes my preconceived ideas may block me from receiving what He is trying to communicate so He will bring friends in. Sometimes we may not feel like He is speaking at all. Those are some tough moments. I have sought God for answers and got silence for days. He has always shown up though and provided answers, just not always immediately. That is when I get to exercise my faith in believing He is here even if I can’t feel it.