Category Archives: worry

Faith illuminations

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in armor of God, beach sunsets, crafts, faith, Fun stuff for kids, peace, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”   Ephesians 5:15, 16

Have you ever felt like you were under attack?  It happened to me this morning while I was trying to think about how I should do this post.  I couldn’t concentrate and I felt like the devil was aiming one fiery arrow after another at me.  Arrows of doubt, worry and anxiety about finances, health concerns and other problems like a swarm of hornets kept stinging my mind.  In a previous post I had talked about how to push the delete button when these worry thoughts enter your mind, but truthfully it’s just not always that easy.  Certainly replacing them with positive thoughts helps but the devil is very cunning about the ways he tries to get control of our mind and render us useless to God.  The devil always finds our weakness and takes advantage of it.

“So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”                     I Corinthians 10:12  

Then it hit me that in truth, my faith was being attacked.  What I needed to do was put on the armor of God.  I imagined that I was taking up “the shield of faith, with which I would extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” just as it says in Ephesians 6:16.  I also imagined putting on the helmet of salvation to protect my mind and thoughts.  I wanted only God’s wisdom to enter my mind.  I also carefully placed over my shoulders the breastplate of righteousness to protect my heart and emotions which seem so fragile and easily wounded.  But I remembered there was more and each piece of armor was important.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”   Ephesians 6:13   

Ah yes, when the devil attacks he often knocks us off our feet and I want to be ready. So we must “stand firm with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  I’m still pondering what this readiness means.  Perhaps it is to be ready to help when we see the need of a neighbor or to be ready to speak out about injustice or just to blog about whatever the Holy Spirit lays on our hearts.

The next verse states the importance of putting the belt of truth around your waist.  The devil hates truth and is the author of all lies.  And so when your armor is in place take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and pray.  You will always stand firm if you are securely anchored to the rock of God’s promises.

“Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”   I Peter 5:8


Fun Stuff For Kids:  Suit of Armor

I made the suit of armor for our grandson out of a heat shield that blocks the sun coming in the windshield of your car.  I also made shields and swords with a bible verse from Ephesians 6:10 attached to each for the 2nd grade Sunday school class that my husband and I taught.  I always teach the children that “Our God is bigger than any problem.”  Our God is awesome!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”   Ephesians 6:10

You may have noticed that these are “bubble wand” swords.  I like to think that the devil’s lies can be popped just like bubbles by the sword of the Spirit.  But if you are not familiar with the word of God you won’t be able to stand on His promises and recognize the devil’s lies.  Teach your children those promises so that they will be prepared when the need arises.

“But the LORD is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”   II Thessalonians 3:3  

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”    Philippians4:7

 

The Good Life illuminations

16 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in Christianity, Fun stuff for kids, joy, peace, success, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”   Jeremiah 29:11

But the way that a man thinks in his heart will most likely determine how his day goes.  How do you have a good day when everything seems to be going wrong?  Determine that the moment you think a negative thought about anything or anyone, you will delete it and replace it with a good one.  I’ve found that the quicker I push that delete button in my mind the happier I am.  If you don’t believe it’s possible try this little experiment for a day or a week in your life.  It is found in God’s Word.       Philippians 4:8         “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”     

Think about how a child views life.  He wakes up enthusiastic and can’t wait to begin the day.  He bounces out of bed and begins looking for the next exciting adventure that life may send his way.  He doesn’t worry about the danger or the cost or any of the “what ifs” that older and supposedly wiser people think about.  At night he says his prayers and asks God to take care of him and his love ones and falls soundly asleep in minutes.

The next morning, he wakes up ready to face a brand new day of possibilities. He thinks about what he can achieve. Perhaps he will build a fort or a tree house.   Maybe he will go for a ride on a big tour bus.  Or perhaps he will learn how to pilot a helicopter.   He may even decide to start up a sandbox bakery business.   He doesn’t worry whether he can do it or not or what others will think because he is not afraid of failure.  He is filled with hope and he only dreams about the wonderful amazing things he can and will do.  He hums as he works and his mind is alive with ideas.  His eyes twinkle, his mouth smiles, and he is energized to do great things.

The good life is filled with the energy and renewing power that comes from God.  The word enthusiasm comes from en Theo – full of God.  If you are not sure how to become an enthusiastic person, try praying these two verses for yourself and family  (from the prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21) every morning before you begin your day.

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He will strengthen me with power through His Spirit in my inner being so that Christ will dwell in my heart through faith…..and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  

Did you notice that you are praying “to be filled to the measure of fullness of God?”  God wants us to be filled with His power and love so that we can follow His will and discover the wonderful good life that He has planed for each of us.

But if we never take time to talk to God and listen to Him we will never know His plan.  

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”   Jeremiah 33:3   Is this not what Jesus had in mind for each of us when He said we must become like little children?  The unquestioning love and trust of a child is a requirement for living the full life that God intended for us.  But we must also know God and be obedient to His commands in order to live the good life.  Material blessings and wealth can be obtained without knowing God, but His most precious blessings of peace, hope and joy are reserved for His very own children and come from an intimate relationship with Him.

“O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.”    Psalm 84:12

Unfailing Love illuminations

09 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in beach sunsets, Christianity, depression, wing like clouds, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.”         Psalm 36:7   

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.”   Psalm 103:2-4

Do you feel like your life is in a pit and you can’t crawl out?  Or maybe you’re just caught in a rut and can’t seem to change your direction to a more satisfying path.  Perhaps you were pushed into the pit by someone else and you’re suffering from a divorce, financial problems or have lost your job.  Or maybe you have been digging your own pit with bad health habits, drugs or alcohol.  Possibly the pit is so deep that you don’t see any way out.  But the good news is that there is a Friend who can help you climb up and out.  

Only Jesus can give you the strength to quit bad habits and forgive those who have wronged you.

Only Jesus can heal you of your diseases and forgive your sins.

Only Jesus will take compassion on you and redeem your life with His love.

Only Jesus can renew your life and give you a fresh beginning.

“Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him my Savior and my God.”  Psalm 43:3

Take hold of His hand and trust Him.  He will help you.  His love never fails.

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”   Luke 18:27

GARDEN JOY illuminations

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in beauty, Christianity, favorite songs, flower gardens, health, Hearts Filled With Joy, music, roses, spring flowers, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.”   Psalm 42:8  

Are weeds of worry and care choking the joy of your spirit?  A beautiful spirit must  be regularly watered with trust and faith.

“IN THE GARDEN”  by C. Austin Miles  

“I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses.
And the voice I hear falling on my ear;
the Son of God discloses.

And he walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.   He speaks and the sound of His voice is so sweet
the birds hush their singing.  
And the melody that He gave to me
within my heart is ringing.

And he walks with me and He talks with me,
And he tells me I am His own.   And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.”

The only way to be renewed in your spirit is through Divine Companionship.  Walking and talking with the LORD, resting and thinking of Him, loving and praising Him.  Find your joy in Him!  

“Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out weighs them all.”          II Corinthians 4:16, 17

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”     II Corinthians 4:18

Mustard Seed Faith part II

28 Monday May 2012

Posted by in crafts, faith, fun stuff for grandparents, Fun stuff for kids, Hearts Filled With Joy, mustard seed faith, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“Because  you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”    Matthew 17:20  

The Power of Prayer

Over a year ago we were informed that if we didn’t sign papers allowing Marathon Oil to cross our land taking a 100 foot right away for a pipeline, they would seize the land any way.  I began receiving certified letters from Marathon’s attorneys  saying that if we didn’t sign the papers, they were going to take us to court. So I began to pray.  What bothered me most was that the spot they had chosen to take was our favorite spot for picnics and cookouts at the creek.  The contract basically said that they could bulldoze down the beautiful trees there and we would no longer be allowed to use that area without their permission!  I posted in Mustard Seed Faith illuminations last week some pictures of the fun times we have had there.  I had been praying for days and the deadline for signing the papers was in less than a week.  My husband sent an email to these attorneys explaining that the direction Marathon intended to go was unacceptable to us and so was the contract.  He requested a meeting down at the sight with Marathon’s right away acquisitions manager.  The meeting was set and three men showed up including their engineer.  I decided not to attend the meeting so that I could pray while they met.  I prayed that the Holy Spirit would speak to and soften the hearts of these men and give my husband wise words to say.  “For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”  Luke 21:15  

A second meeting was set and this one was for the actual signing of the papers.  At the first meeting the engineer had told my husband that it would be possible for them to drill under the road and then take a turn to the left avoiding most of our trees and going down our field almost to the end before they crossed the creek.  We were also told that they would change the parts of the contract we were unhappy with and bring a map to this meeting showing the revised direction they would be taking.  For the next few days I praised God for His unfailing love and waited in joyful expectation to see how my awesome God would answer my prayers.We sat around my kitchen table and I was relieved to see that their map appeared  to follow the path we had hoped they would take.  I had printed out a large picture of our grandchildren playing down at the creek and showed it to them thanking them for not taking the part of the land we most enjoyed.The papers were signed and I praised God again for being so good. 

But this April, a year later when the bulldozers were getting ready to cross over to our land, the surveyor stakes had not been changed and it appeared that they were still going to bulldoze our trees down and cross the creek at our favorite spot.  Worry reared his ugly head again, but this time I quickly began to pray and covered him with a mountain of prayer and promises each time he appeared.  My husband made a phone call regarding this matter and we were met once again by the acquisitions manager and together we walked down by the creek.  I pointed out the favorite places our grandchildren play and all the trees I did not want the bulldozers to destroy.  His heart had already been touched by the Lord and he couldn’t have been nicer, promising to come back and tape off those trees.  In the above two pictures you can see the beautiful red tape he used to protect our trees and creek.  The next picture was taken May 24,2012, and they still have a lot more work to do.  But they have been very careful and not damaged our trees.

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”   Psalm 115:1

The amazing thing is that I thought I would be really bothered by the noise.  But it has been going on now for about three weeks with drilling through rocks, dynamite blasts that vibrate our house and the constant beeping, clanging, banging noises of huge machinery and I have been completely at peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you”   Isaiah 26:3  

Shepherd our grandson loves all the noise and construction and never gets tired of watching from his director’s chair.  Perhaps I have learned to look at it from the eyes of a little child.  But mostly I believe that I am just so thankful knowing that God changed the hearts of these men and their plans.  The acquisition manager had seen us watching the construction with Shepherd and called us from his cell phone one day saying he envied us as grandparents.  He let us know that there would be a big dynamite blast in less than an hour if we would like to bring our grandson down to watch.  I am looking forward to the time when they are completely finished and I know the sweet sound of birds singing and crickets chirping and the quiet of peace will be so welcomed.  But best of all will be the sound of laughing, splashing children as they play down by the creek.  Thank you Father, thank you, thank you, thank you.

“Ah Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.”   Jeremiah 32:17

 

Mustard Seed Gift

In my kitchen window I have a little bottle filled with mustard seeds and tied with the verse from Matthew 17:20 that my daughter made for me years ago.  If you feel you could use a little faith boost or perhaps you have a friend who is having a difficult time, this would make a lovely gift to give yourself or your friend.

Craft for Kids:  Mustard Seed Jewelry or Key Chain  

  • silver beading wire (24 gauge) or thinner
  • crystal or silver beads
  • hot glue gun

Cut about a yard length of wire and bend in half.  Place  the center of the wire at the bend on a cutting board and drop a bit of hot glue on it.  Place a tiny mustard seed on the cutting board next to it and drop some glue over the mustard seed making a pearl like pendant that contains the mustard seed and includes the wire.  Let cool and then carefully peel it off the cutting board (do not pull it off by the wire).  You may need to lift the edges of the pendant with a knife.  Finish necklace  by adding crystal beads to the wire and twisting the ends together.  Measure the necklace to be sure that it is large enough to place over the head of your child before you twist the ends together.  Place the necklace on your cutting board and seal the twisted part of the wire especially the ends with a bead of hot glue so it will not come undone or prick clothing or skin.  Boys might enjoy making a key chain.

Mustard Seed Faith illuminations

21 Monday May 2012

Posted by in cookout by the creek, faith, fun stuff for grandparents, Fun stuff for kids, health, Hearts Filled With Joy, mustard seed faith, shingles, spring flowers, wisdom and understanding, worry

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“Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”    Matthew 17:20  Faith Failure:

Have you ever had a faith failure?  About a year ago I found out that Marathon Oil was going to put in a pipeline across our land and I became so upset, it made me sick.  A week later I came down with a terrible case of shingles that lasted for weeks.  I called it the worry disease because every time I would start to worry, it became worse and hurt more.

We were informed that we had no choice but to sign the papers agreeing for them to take a 100 foot right away because if we didn’t sign them, the land would be seized anyway.  They said they were willing to pay us for the value of the land.  But how could they know what the value of the land was worth to me?  To them it  was farm land and not worth very much. But what is the value of a tree that is more than 5 feet in diameter and probably more than 100 years old?  And how do you count the cost of wildflowers and daffodils that bloom in the woods every spring?

They were planning to go straight across our woods and creek  and their bulldozers would plow down all the beautiful shade trees as they went.

This was the place where our children had loved playing each summer.  They had floated in boats and inner-tubes, played imagination games on the rocks at pirate’s cove, made trails through the woods and swung on vines hanging from the trees.  Under the big tree we had held Sunday School cookouts by the creek and in the meadow we played games and kickball with the children. 

In the field the kids were also treated to hayrides.  After we finished eating as the sun was setting, we made a big camp fire and roasted marshmallows making s’mores for dessert. 

Then someone played the guitar and we sat around the fire singing songs until after dark.  We always ended with a prayer followed by singing one of my favorite songs, “Cum Ba Ya, My Lord,” and I know He was there because I could feel His Very Presence.

But even though we were informed we had no choice about allowing them to cross our land, what they didn’t figure on was the power of prayer!  When my mind finally quieted and I stopped asking “why Lord,” I began to pray.  I asked God to not let them cut down our trees and cross our land at our favorite spot for picnics and fun.  And each time I prayed I could almost audibly here my Lord say, “Just trust me, just trust me.”  “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”    Psalm 33:18

to be continued…….