March 2007

update from previous post…

Prayer works. Well whaddya know…

You know, that I’m amazed kind of ticks me off a little. I should be further along my faith journey than this I think. I think when these events happen I should not even flinch when God answers. But I do. Whenever these prayer things happen (not as often as they should), I either feel like its some kind of psychic juju, I’m a closet Charasmatic, nothing wrong with that now, unless you were raised a stiff Baptist <grin> or that I’m going to look like some flaky tv evangelist..(except I could never get my hair that perfectly coiffed; nor do I have time to start making and selling prayer cloths. Oh but Dung if I had just thought of that last month when I was broke(n)…things could have been so different!)

The truth is I believe God would do this everyday for all of us if we just listened and obeyed. Did I not say just in the previous post (backporch blog) that ”our lives are entirely too loud”? I quieted mine internally and then this prayer thing happened that very night. I think it happens to a lot of people but we chalk it up to not sleeping, take a Luminex (edit: ok, someone just emailed me that this is a brand of lightbulb or something, not a drug. oh well…I’m sticking to my story) or a PM and go back to sleep or just lay there whining because we can’t sleep, like I usually do. I challenge you to ask God if He’s waking you up next time and see what happens. If nothing happens, take a PM and go back to sleep. Bet you won’t.

Thanks to those of you who knew this was for you (and know how insecure I am) for taking the time to IM and EM and post or call your encouragement. It *is* good to know that I am not a raving lunatic. To point glory in the right direction and to encourage you that God uses really imperfect/near crazy people (that would be moi) to serve others by praying for them here’s a tidbit from yesterday and btw, most of these situations I knew nothing about. It was…interesting.

Kidney - Jigadijig’s (Laurie and Bill Clark’s) nephew was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, rejecting his transplanted kidney. I think God originally woke me up to pray for this kid. It was weird because everyone I know has good kidneys but I prayed anyway.

Transportation - Someone I didn’t even know but reads here is going on a Missions trip next week and the transportation from one long leg of their journey to their destination fell apart and yesterday they found a new transportation. Go B!

The call would come - and it did yesterday. My clients called and the papers are ready to bring their new son home from Nepal. They leave next Thursday to go pick him up! Yay Shannon and Kevin!

A job - one out of the blue and I was able to connect the “need a job” with the “need an employee”. What a blessing. thank you Steve!

That they get this house - and they did. After bidding 30% under asking because that’s all they could afford. Blessings. Yay Vicky and Dave!

And Lots of personal stuff that people are still struggling with.

We really are God’s hands people. “I will get down on my knees and I will pray”. Jewel 1:7 (ha!) This is so not by our power so why don’t we tap in?

Unbelief or Disbelief (two way different things btw) or What?

Now, how to capture that and stay plugged in is my question… See the Strategist/Activator kicking in…oh boy. Somehow I don’t think it works like that.

Do we really believe God is real and EXPECT him to show up in ways only God can?

I think I’m plain chicken. Wouldn’t want to lose too much of my spiritual decorum. 

 

someone called my name, whispered it loudly. i sat up and looked at the clock 2:12 a.m. dazed with sleep, i looked around for the source and then i remembered…i’m alone.

ok, Lord. I’ll pray…and so it has been this morning. i know some of the names that are attached to these requests, some i don’t-but i was compelled to pray specifically. maybe it’s for you.

a job. a broken marriage. to mend a relationship. courage. a mate. a broken heart. harsh words spoken. money urgently needed. someone is lonely, pretending not to be. someone is discouraged. be a better parent. a new job. cancer. school. transportation. living a lie. stronger witness. courage. gentleness. lay down their pride and ask for help. sickness. broken relationship. abuse. an affair. the move. to have a baby. to get married. to get out of debt. to be accepted. to be held. to be loved. to be forgiven. to have hope. direction. serious about their relationship with God. to be a nicer person. healing. health. to live for something bigger. to find God’s plan. that they get this house. another job request and another and another and so on. successful surgery. that they say the right thing. that they are more compassionate. be a better boss. be nicer to their children. stop yelling. be a better wife. transform their ministry. motivation. exams. income tax. safe travel. keep loved one safe. the call would come. a kidney. recovery. rehabilitation. court date. communication. forgiveness, again. clarity of purpose. to escape mediocrity. to dream again! to become hot as fire. to LIVE for Dustin and everyone else who can’t.

and for myself…that in the end, having worked through life’s minutia, i would have lived without regret. having been brave enough to embrace the plan God wrote for my life at the beginning of all time. regardless of where it leads. for richer or for poorer. to live for something bigger than self, and Own it. with confidence. and Love. serving others and in doing so, serve God. and that when rain does fall on the just and the unjust, i will still sing off-key while stomping and splashing joyfully through the puddles. because no matter what, in the end…i already know, We Win.

 

A new dream!

Boldly it sprouts

from ancient roots of faith,

without nurture

 my Passion frozen.

Even, it will not be stilled

.

 

Yesterday was a hard day. After paying payroll we have exactly $111.32 left until our next check which will be some time. We never worry about food but that is not enough money for two brokers for gas until then. We can burn that in a week. I began searching my purse, old purses and cash stashes, and oh…couch cushions for any “lost” money. Guess what I found… 

 

a refund check for these. I had folded the check up and put it in a small compartment of my wallet and “forgot” it was there. (Who forgets a $300 check?) Remember how I whined at having to return them? I have never paid close to that much for a pair of shoes in my life, what was the matter with me? I am so completely ridiculous sometimes…(hello…I can hear you people…he he. I know, I know.)

Anyway, someone who loves us called us at 7:50 this morning. Although they don’t read this blog, they had been praying for us this morning and wanted to share this passage of scripture with us:

If you haven’t read this story in a while, read it while thinking about God’s provision. It’s all Him. It’s not our pleading, our belief in, our confidence in or our positive thinking. In the end, it’s the will of Jehovah. Soak it in. It’s Inspiring!

I received a rain cloud last night the size of a man’s hand. A little check in the form of $291.50. That’ll do! Thank you Jehovah Jireh and hello Payless.

Oh Lord, We Cast Down Our Idols