Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bedtime Prayers
Just want to share a quick story about the wonderful conversations I have with my sons...totally cracks me up!
I always pray with my sons before bed...last night, I asked Braden, my 7 year old, for his prayer requests. He said "Mommy, pray that I don't get a girlfriend." Is it wrong that I gleefully prayed this prayer??...and then took the prayer a bit further and prayed that my child would wait on the Lord and His choice for him for a wife? The funny thing is, as I was praying the part about Jesus, please don't let Braden have a girlfriend, Braden yells, "yes!" like alright, He won't give me one. His excitement about Jesus not giving him a girlfriend cracked me up.
To make things funnier, tonight at dinner, I joked with Braden that he can't get mad at me if in 10 years he doesn't have a girlfriend because he ASKED me to pray this prayer :) Then Joshua, my 9 year old, pipes up with, "pray that for me too." Then I start praying the same prayer for him and he says..."well, actually mom, it's too late, I already have a girlfriend." To which I replied..."you haven't kissed her have you?" He gave me a horrified look and an emphatic "NO! I am going to wait like you and Robert did...until we get married" Sweet huh?? Then I took this very sweet and hilarious opportunity to pray over both of the boys and their purity.
I am a very blessed Momma :)
I always pray with my sons before bed...last night, I asked Braden, my 7 year old, for his prayer requests. He said "Mommy, pray that I don't get a girlfriend." Is it wrong that I gleefully prayed this prayer??...and then took the prayer a bit further and prayed that my child would wait on the Lord and His choice for him for a wife? The funny thing is, as I was praying the part about Jesus, please don't let Braden have a girlfriend, Braden yells, "yes!" like alright, He won't give me one. His excitement about Jesus not giving him a girlfriend cracked me up.
To make things funnier, tonight at dinner, I joked with Braden that he can't get mad at me if in 10 years he doesn't have a girlfriend because he ASKED me to pray this prayer :) Then Joshua, my 9 year old, pipes up with, "pray that for me too." Then I start praying the same prayer for him and he says..."well, actually mom, it's too late, I already have a girlfriend." To which I replied..."you haven't kissed her have you?" He gave me a horrified look and an emphatic "NO! I am going to wait like you and Robert did...until we get married" Sweet huh?? Then I took this very sweet and hilarious opportunity to pray over both of the boys and their purity.
I am a very blessed Momma :)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
Mom and Boys - Mother's Day Dinner at Sonic :)My wonderful husband and children gave me a camera for Mother's Day...woohoo! We had an old digital camera that just wasn't cutting it anymore...so now you might actually get pictures on my blogs :)
Here is what we have been up to this weekend...replacing our roof! If I had the camera yesterday...I would show you pictures of the awesome body of Christ coming together to help us with the roof. Extra thanks to Peter, Jacob, Dan and Ryan for working in the HOT sun yesterday! The boys are having a blast working with Robert today.
Getting Ready...
Braden and Robert - Prep Work
My talented husband
Braden and Robert loading nails
Joshua learning the ropes
Joshua - Roofing Assistant Thursday, May 1, 2008
Deeper Than Words
God has gifted my wonderful husband with the ability to pour out his heart to the Lord through poetry. I have posted two of my favorites below.
The first, Deeper Than Words, describes my heart and sometimes frustration in my walk with the Lord. Sometimes...my head (pride) so gets in the way. I might know scripture, understand the "right" answer, etc, etc...but get so frustrated when my heart is so far from Him. Anyone can spout answers...but, Lord I beg...I need You to work in me in a way that is...
Deeper than words, deeper than thought,
Deeper than feelings is what I need.
I'm so tired of this superficial lot;
From all pretence I must be freed.
God, please go beyond what I've thought or I've heard;
You must do a work in me that is deeper than words.
---
Deeper than words and outward acts
My walk with you must be real.
I'm sick of posturing, posing and tact.
I shouldn't have to say what I feel.
That my life would be a witness shouldn't seem absurd;
Speak through me in ways that are deeper than words.
---
Deeper than words, written or read,
My knowledge of You should be alive.
May Your living word never seem dead.
My zeal for You won't You revive?
On to greater depths of God, I would be spurred;
Draw me into You, draw me deeper than words.
This is my other favorite...makes me fall in love with the Lord every time I read it :) The caption with this one reads:
Read it to your Lord, then let Him read it to you
Let's go to our secret place
A place where there's no fear
Where we can commune together
Where I can draw so near
---
I give myself to you
Nothing for myself I keep
All my riches are for you
My devotion is that deep
--- Close beside you now
I love when we embrace
Rest and peace and joy
Are here now in this place
---
I love you more than any other
You mean everything to me
I long to be one with you
For all eternity
Check out his other poetry on his poetry blog...
Sunday, April 20, 2008
View of the Father
One of the small group questions this weekend at our church's Recovery program was "What historically has been your relationship with God?"
Historically, my relationship with God has been a view of God being somewhere "out there." A distant God that was only concerned with what I am doing right and doing wrong. My view has been that He is happy when I am doing good and angry when I am not. I have always had a difficult time grasping how personal He is and how much He loves me (as I am) and as my pastor says...not some future version of me. In other words...the abundance of His LAVISH GRACE in Christ!
As I said in my earlier post, I have been struggling with anxiety and depression lately...and the Lord is so sweetly showing me that part of my problem is my incorrect view of Him and His character.
This is how He spoke to me this weekend...
First...I have heard the story of the Prodigal son 3x since Friday...yep, you read correctly...3x! Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each time, the Lord emphasized to me that the Father was watching for the son to return and even while the son "was a long way off", the Father ran to him and embraced and kissed him." How powerful to know that even when we go our own way, the Father is always watching us and longing for our return...and that HE RUNS to us and EMBRACES us!
Second...talking to a girl this weekend, she shared how much she struggles with trying to do things right, be perfect, get right with God. I was overwhelmed with sadness as she spoke as I literally felt the amazing love that God has for her and how much it hurts him that she cannot see it. Yes, I know, ironic :) As soon as I realized the irony, I asked the Lord, is this how you feel about me? I'm sure you can guess His answer.
Third...church this morning. 2 songs during worship just spoke God's love for me. Come Ye Sinners has a part that says "I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms...I was reminded of the Father in the story of the prodigal son and how he embraced his son. Second...Jesus Savior Pilot Me...this was a song played at our wedding. Just an awesome reminder to trust Him to pilot me.
Lord, I thank you for Your peace, patience and love. I love you. Thank you for being faithful to finish the good work you have started in me. Help me to rest and trust in You and You alone.
- Luci
Philippians 1:5-6
5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Historically, my relationship with God has been a view of God being somewhere "out there." A distant God that was only concerned with what I am doing right and doing wrong. My view has been that He is happy when I am doing good and angry when I am not. I have always had a difficult time grasping how personal He is and how much He loves me (as I am) and as my pastor says...not some future version of me. In other words...the abundance of His LAVISH GRACE in Christ!
As I said in my earlier post, I have been struggling with anxiety and depression lately...and the Lord is so sweetly showing me that part of my problem is my incorrect view of Him and His character.
This is how He spoke to me this weekend...
First...I have heard the story of the Prodigal son 3x since Friday...yep, you read correctly...3x! Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each time, the Lord emphasized to me that the Father was watching for the son to return and even while the son "was a long way off", the Father ran to him and embraced and kissed him." How powerful to know that even when we go our own way, the Father is always watching us and longing for our return...and that HE RUNS to us and EMBRACES us!
Second...talking to a girl this weekend, she shared how much she struggles with trying to do things right, be perfect, get right with God. I was overwhelmed with sadness as she spoke as I literally felt the amazing love that God has for her and how much it hurts him that she cannot see it. Yes, I know, ironic :) As soon as I realized the irony, I asked the Lord, is this how you feel about me? I'm sure you can guess His answer.
Third...church this morning. 2 songs during worship just spoke God's love for me. Come Ye Sinners has a part that says "I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms...I was reminded of the Father in the story of the prodigal son and how he embraced his son. Second...Jesus Savior Pilot Me...this was a song played at our wedding. Just an awesome reminder to trust Him to pilot me.
Lord, I thank you for Your peace, patience and love. I love you. Thank you for being faithful to finish the good work you have started in me. Help me to rest and trust in You and You alone.
- Luci
Philippians 1:5-6
5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Weeping may last for a night, but JOY comes in the morning...
The last several months have been extremely dark for me. I have been battling almost daily depression and anxiety/panic attacks. My inner world has been dominated by fear. There were times I truly did not think I could take even one more minute. There were times that my heart burned in pain within me. There were times that the pressure was so great, I thought I might be crushed....BUT
THE LORD IS FAITHFUL. HE IS...even through my lack of faith, unbelief, and fear, HE has NEVER left my side. He is kind and gentle and has provided rest for my soul. He has never allowed more than I can bear. He has strengthened me, He has raised up prayer warriors (thank you!!), He is conquering my pride, self dependence, understanding (my ways), fear, and incorrect views of Him and of myself and is gaining victory at every turn. He is a victorious warrior against everything He finds displeasing in me. He is my comfort, my ROCK, my salvation, my everything.
Jesus thank you for being THE TRUTH that sets me free. Thank you for opening Your Word for me this morning and showing me You. I surrender ALL Please help me want more of You.
Jesus You are amazing and I am so grateful to belong to you. I love and praise You.
-Luci
Psalm 30:5
For his anger is but for a moment,and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night,but joy comes with the morning.
THE LORD IS FAITHFUL. HE IS...even through my lack of faith, unbelief, and fear, HE has NEVER left my side. He is kind and gentle and has provided rest for my soul. He has never allowed more than I can bear. He has strengthened me, He has raised up prayer warriors (thank you!!), He is conquering my pride, self dependence, understanding (my ways), fear, and incorrect views of Him and of myself and is gaining victory at every turn. He is a victorious warrior against everything He finds displeasing in me. He is my comfort, my ROCK, my salvation, my everything.
Jesus thank you for being THE TRUTH that sets me free. Thank you for opening Your Word for me this morning and showing me You. I surrender ALL Please help me want more of You.
Jesus You are amazing and I am so grateful to belong to you. I love and praise You.
-Luci
Psalm 30:5
For his anger is but for a moment,and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night,but joy comes with the morning.
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