Family Resemblance

Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Rod!

Exactly 20 years ago today, November 17, 1989 - the Lord blessed me with a new earthly father to raise me.  I remember being a little unsure about this new fellow from South Dakota with red hair that was going to be my 'dad', but my mom was happy so I was happy.  I had lunch with him today and before he got there, the nice lady asked if I was ready to order and I mentioned that I was waiting for my dad to get there.  After he did, I noticed a look of shock on her face (thinking - how is that her dad?).  As I was sitting there talking my head off (as usual) and he was patiently listening (as usual) eating his usual order (a cup of soup with 1/2 a sandwich)... I had a thought about family resemblance.  

Now, clearly by this picture Rod and I don't resemble each other much, LOL - but the Lord really put a thought in my mind.  I thought of "...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." - Colossians 3:12.  So what I'm taking from that today is, sure Rod and I don't resemble each other much physically, but I hope and pray that when people look at me they see a family resemblance.  I hope that someday I will be a reflection of all that Rod is... which is a person that is clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  I thank the Lord that he placed Rod in our lives and he has been such a wonderful example to me in so many ways.  I love you Mom and Rod and am extremely happy for the 20 years you are celebrating together today.   

Prayer for the Day by Stormie Omartian
Lord, I turn to You as the solid rock on which I stand and ask that You would lead me in the way I should go. I seek Your guidance and revelation. I look to You for wisdom and correction. I don't want to take a step without knowing You are leading me. The decisions I need to make must be the right ones, so don't let me make a mistake. Even when I must make a quick decision, help me to do so with great accuracy because of the wisdom and knowledge You have put in me. Make me sensitive to the presence and leading of Your Holy Spirit in my heart. You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3

 

Forgiveness

Sometimes we hurt each other intentionally, sometimes unintentionally, but either way it takes immense amounts of mercy and grace to forgive each other. Everyone needs mercy; we all stumble and fall at one point or another and need help getting back on track. We should always offer forgiveness to each other and be willing to receive it from each other. "You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" -Colossians 3:13.

The grace and mercy that God has showed us time and time again should be our motivation to show mercy to others and to forgive them whole-heartedly.

Prayer for the Day by Stormie Omartian
Lord, I need Your guidance in my life right now.  I have to make decisions that I don't want to make without knowing Your will for me.  Give me wisdom and revelation about these things.  Your counsel is great above all others.  Your guidance is perfect.  I seek Your counsel and guidance today.  Fill me with Your wisdom so that when I have to make a quick decision, it will be the right one.  I find great comfort in knowing I am in Your perfect will.  "This also comes from the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance." -  Isaiah 28:29

Hi Mommy - I love you

I pray for the Lord to speak to me through something or someone every day.  He often does this through my children.  Everyday when I get home from work the first thing my little boy, Caleb, says to me is "Hi Mommy - I love you" and embraces me with a hug the moment he sees me.  After that he'll ask me for something 99% of the time, but before he does he always says Hi, tells me he loves me and embraces me.  It melts my heart everyday!  And even though it happens everyday, each day it feels just as good as yesterday.  The days that he doesn't run up to me and do it, I feel a little disappointed but I know he still loves me and I still love him.

 

This is probably how God, as our Heavenly Father/parent, views us as His children.  He desires us to say "Hi, I love you" before we say or do anything else or ask for anything; - for us to acknowledge Him, embrace Him and love Him just because he's Him, not for anything He has done or that we'd like for Him to do- but just for being there.

Prayer Requests:

 - Please lift the Pastor at my church and his wife (Randy and Nancy) up in prayer.  They are going through a rough season of their life right now and are very dear to our church.

Prayer for the Day by Stormie Omartian
Lord, Your merciful kindness toward me brings me great comfort. Help me to remember that Your love and mercy never fail, especially during the times when it seems as if my prayers have not been answered. Help me to see that even in difficult struggles, You are always on my side. Thank You that You are a good God and the life You have for me is good. Help me to trust that about You at all times, so that I will seek Your comfort and guidance at the first sign of trouble or difficulty. Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant. Psalm 119:76

New Kid on the Blog

As an official "New Kid on the Blog" - please bear with me as I begin to learn the culture that is blogging.  This stuff is a lot harder than I realized right at first!  Any suggestions and/or tutorials are MORE than welcome! 

I hope to blog at least once a week, and/or daily.  Most of the blogs will be either God driven, life driven, or Rene' driven.  =)  

Prayer for the day by Stormie Omartian

Lord, I thank You for Your Word that guides me, gives me life, and comforts my soul. When my soul is troubled, afflicted, or afraid, help me to find comfort in Your presence and in Your truth. When I go through things that torment my soul, I pray that the comfort of Your Holy Spirit will ease my pain, and the comfort of Your Word will enlarge my perspective. Help me to get to the point that I seek comfort and guidance from only You and from nothing or no one else. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. Psalm 119:50