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Wednesday’s WOTD: You’re Gonna Miss This

First of all~ You are awesome! Dare I say it??? You ROCK! You blew me away with the honest responses you gave to my “informal research” question. Thank you SO much!

It seems that the overwhelming struggle for most of us in having our Quiet Times is the actual Time to do it and Focus/Distractions. It also seems that we are all TIRED! A men to that! I don’t know what the solution is – but I do know that if I’m going to get up with the Lord in the morning, I have to make plans for it the night before. Just like I would plan a special time with my husband, or my dear friend, I must make plans to spend with my dear Jesus. I hope we can continue this discussion sometime in the future. Your input is so valuable to me, and I thank you for sharing your hearts and your struggles. If you’d like to comment and didn’t, please do so… I’ll take any help at any time! 😉

~

Now, on to Wednesday’s Word of the Day…. Actually, it’s a song, which was written by a good friend of our family’s. “You’re Gonna Miss This” was written by Lee Miller and recorded by Trace Adkins earlier this year. You may remember it from “The Apprentice” finale. It was one of 5 or 6 songs nominated for this year’s CMA Song of the Year, and Single of the Year .

But the reason “You’re Gonna Miss This” is the WOTD is because of the message in the lyrics. The first time I heard the song, I bawled like a baby! Both children were already asleep, and I went into their rooms and laid down in the bed with them and hugged /squeezed them as tightly as I could. I called Lee the next day to try to tell him what the song meant to me, and could hardly talk for crying and then for laughing at myself for being so emotional. He laughed, too. So did my husband. 🙂


Even though it’s not Scripture, it well reminds me of the challenge of living Ephesians 5:16-17, “Making the very most of the time, buying up each opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.”

I share this not to make us feel guilty for being busy, nor to make us sad, but to encourage us to stop the business of busy-ness every once in a while and to “soak in” where we are in our lives. I find myself singing this song every day – especially when responsibilities of “life” start to crowd my joy of living, and of raising my precious children. When I start to wish things were somehow “different”, this song pops into my head, and the Lord reminds me that wherever we are in this particular time of our lives, God is working, and He will use ALL of it for His glory (Rom. 8:28). And, I’m reminded that one day, I’ll look back on this particulalr time of life, and I’ll miss it.

So, here it is – Wednesday’s Word of the Day: “You’re Gonna Miss This”. (You have to click here and watch the video of Trace singing the song at the Grand Old Opry – couldn’t get it to post right here, for some reason.) PS: You might want to grab a tissue, if the song is new to you. 🙂

“You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this”

Love to you all… Let’s make an effort NOT to Miss it!

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Wednesday’s WOTD: Dangerous!

Cover of the Alliance Defending Freedom's magazine, Truth & Triumph. Our story of fighting for our student's Christian freedom of speech was featured in this magazine. SmellingCoffee.com
O.K…. I have to share something with you. It makes me laugh and humbles me at the same time… Three other friends, James, and I have just been named some of “The Most Dangerous People in America.” I’m serious! I’m still shaking my head… but with a big smile on my face. The title of the magazine says, “They may look like your friends and neighbors, but to the ACLU, they’re some of the… Most Dangerous People in America.”

Wonder how this happened? (So do I!!!) I’ve alluded to it a few times since I started blogging, but here is the whole story in a nutshell: I coordinate a group of parents (called Praying Parents) who pray for our children’s suburbian elementary school. For years, the ACLU has been watching the school, waiting for someone to complain. For years, no one did. Until the 2005-06 school year. Somehow, ONE “annonymous” unhappy family chose to join with the ACLU and sue the school, administrators, and a Christian teacher. In the midst of it, they falsly accused me and Praying Parents of doing things we simply did not do. Seing my name in an ACLU lawsuit was one of the biggest “earthquakes” of my life (so far)!

The school had their lawyers to defend them, but Praying Parents needed a voice. So, The Lord brought The Alliance Defense Fund to us, and called another family to become involved legally. And He helped us battle the ACLU all the way to Federal Court. In the end, the judge somehow rulled both of us as “winners” – a quite confusing judgement to all of us. Of course, the ACLU is claiming full victory, but thanks to the Lord and the ADF, Praying Parents is continuing alive and well.

{Edited years later – the battle didn’t end here, and we were called to join with four other families the following year to continue battling for our Christian children’s free speech in this same school.  After a long, drawn-out battle, we did win, and children in public schools are still free to express their faith and to use the words such as “God” and “Prayer” in their publicly displayed work. PTL!}

If you’re truly interested, you can read the article about us and even watch a video of our stories here: The Most Dangerous People in America. (Just remember… the camera adds at least 10 pounds… right???) Edited to add: To see the video, you need to push the “play” button below the screen, and then move the arrow a hair to the right.

You know… it doesn’t take battling the ACLU to be dangerous. It simply takes obedient surrender to the Lord in every little area of our lives. It’s often the “little sins” that hang us up, and keep us from bringing honor and glory to the name of the Lord.

Obedient surrender isn’t easy. But… when we believe that All Mighty God is the biggest, greatest, most Wonderful, All Powerful, All Loving God – more so than any other thing in our lives, we’ll never be satisfied with giving Him anything less. And this, my friends, makes us dangerous to God’s enemies!

I certainly don’t want to promote fear – but here is the truth: In the days ahead, all of those of us who call on God’s name will face an opportunity to stand alone in the crowd, and to stand up for Him. I believe that for some time, God has been drawing a line in the sand. Soon, all over our country, it will be easy to determine those who follow Him from those who do not.

It’s been coming for a long time – to be exact… at least 2000 years. Luke 21: 12-19 sheds some light on this truth, and on how we are to respond.

“But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’ll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters. (We actually saw this happen in court! Amazing!!!)

“You’ll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be killed. There’s no telling who will hate you because of me. Even so, every detail of your body and soul—even the hairs of your head!—is in my care; nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved.” (The Message)

God is Dangerous to His enemies…and so are we, when we obediently surrender. Be afraid, enemies of God… be very, very afraid… God’s army is rising up… and we’re dangerous!


Question: How has God called you to stand apart from the crowd, and stand up for Him?

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Wednesday’s WOTD: Peace

Peace!
Right in the middle of writing this post, FOX news declared Barack Obama the president elect of the United States of America. I’ve told myself all day that once our votes were cast, all we can do is trust in the Sovereignty of God and continue to pray for our nation and it’s leaders. With all my heart I believe that truth, but until just a few minutes ago, I still held on to hope that the one I voted for would win.

Naturally, I’m a disappointed right now, but I’m trying hard to rest in the truth that God is still on His throne. He is the All Mighty God. “He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding!” (Daniel 2:21)

The Lord spoke powerfully to me this morning in my Quiet Time through the scriptures in Daily Light on the Daily Path’s Nov. 4 entry. It was a beautiful Word from Him and most appropriate for us to remember as we go to bed tonight, and as we walk out these next days. The theme of these scriptures – my Word Of The Day – was “Peace”.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. … He sent the message…, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. … Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. …

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV), Acts 10:36 (HSCB), John 16:33 (NIV), John 14:27 (NIV), Phil. 4:6-7 (Message) (Bold print, mine)

Now… we will pray. Now… we will trust. Now… we will watch for God to show Himself to His people and call us to a more intimate walk with Him. He is the All Mighty God – the Prince of Peace!

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalm 4:8 (Amp.) Thank You, King Jesus!

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7 (Amp.)

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Wednesday’s WOTD

Psalm 23
From the Message

God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God f
or the rest of my life.

Psalm 23 is so beautifully stated in The Message. How thankful I am that it is God who is our Shepherd, and He is the One responsible for our lives and livelihood.
O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker
[in reverent praise and supplication].
For He is our God

and we are the people of His pasture
and the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you will hear His voice,
Harden not your hearts…

Psalm 95:6-8a
(Amplified Version)

Praying with you today…. With love… Jennifer
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Wednesday’s WOTD

What do I do next, Lord?

Have you ever been in a situation where you are desperate to know what the Lord wants you to do about something?

I seem to find myself in this situation often. I like a plan. I like to know what is going on, when it is going on, and who’s going on with it! But as we all know, our Awesome Lord doesn’t’ work according to OUR plans, does He? (Praise the Lord for that!) Every time I’ve needed a specific answer from Him about something, I must say that He has never disappointed me with His answer and its timing. Often when I haven’t received the answer I’m looking for, at the time I want it, God has used my seeking Him to draw me back to a sweet place of a “waiting trust” – Much like a baby in her mother’s arms.

If you need a specific answer from the Lord about something in your life, you really can find the answer in God’s Word. Here are some scriptures to pray through to help you find your answer to the question, “What do I do now, Lord?”

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chron. 20:12

He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. Psalm 25:9

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Prov. 16:9

Unto You do I lift up my eyes, …You who are enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, and as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy and loving-kindness for us. Psalm 123:1-2

Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You. Psalm 143:8

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. 1 Sam. 3:9

Years ago I learned a secret to hearing direction from the Lord: Obedience. Obeying what you know to do right now, and trusting God to show me answers for the future in His perfect timing.

Oswald Chambers in “My Utmost for His Highest” says “Obey God in the thing He shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up.” (Oct 10)

My shepherd in Community Bible Study, Kathy Dupree, often tells me, “Just do the next right thing.” She’s right.

Micah 6:9 says, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?”

From these scriptural truths, for those of us who need a plan, here it is: A 6 step plan for every one of us – no matter our dilemma:
1. Keep our eyes on Jesus
2. Come to Him in the morning
3. Ask Him for wisdom
4. Trust Him
5. Humbly walk throughout the day with Him
6. Obey Him

He is such a Good God! We can be assured that He will never leave us without an answer, and that His timing is perfect. In the mean time, let’s keep our eyes on Him, come to Him every morning to be filled, seek His wisdom, trust Him, humbly walk with Him and obey Him. That’s what He wants us to do next, and everything else will fall into place.

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