Friday, March 29, 2013
Caffeinated Randomness - In Christ Alone
I know today is Good Friday. I wanted to give you a gift of praise that always reminds of Easter and what Easter represents. I hope you enjoy it.
What songs speak to you about the sacrifice that Jesus made? Come link up with the other Java Junkies on this Holy Day.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Caffeinated Randomness - A Dream of a Fish
I am stopping the Caffeinated in the Word study. I'm sorry if you were following it but I do have a good reason. You see I had a dream. Not Martin Luther Jr.'s dream. Not the dream that Fantine dreamed in Les Miserable (although I will write on that dream later). This dream was prophetic. It was life changing. It was awakening. It involved a fish.
Ok, do I have your attention? I should tell you this fish was more like a mini shark. I guess you should also say fishes as there were quite a few of them. There was a dark dingy tank where these fish lived. It was almost inhospitable. There was a 2nd tank with clean water.
I was moving the fish from one tank to another. They were fighting every minute of it. Flipping around almost causing me to drop them. Did I mention I was moving them with my hands? They fought with every ounce of strength until I dropped them in the clean tank. Then they swam around happy and content.
This was my dream Saturday night. I awoke Sunday morning puzzled; trying to figure it out. Then it hit me. You see I have to confess, for sometime I have felt spiritually dead. Oh, I was doing the 40 day study, more intellectually then spiritually or emotionally. I had no prayer life. I felt like a sham. I was angry, resentful, frustrated because of all the trials in my life: ones brought on by myself and ones I had no control over.
This didn't happen overnight and shouldn't have been a big surprise to me as I kept God at an arm's length. I had all but abandoned my prayer life (few contrite prayers here or there). I was cramming through the 40 Days in the Word study and had totally abandoned my Good Morning Girls study (sorry Rubies). I was struggling to breathe. I was trying not to drown in the murky water I found myself in and I was fighting the one who only wanted to help me breath. Who wanted to take me from the mire and bring me to the cool clean water.
I will admit that I did not fall on my knees and beg for forgiveness. I didn't breakdown. I was in shock. I knew I needed to do something but what? I knew I needed to start praying and setting a time for that. I knew I needed to get back into the word. I knew I needed to change. However, I also knew me. If I didn't do this slowly, I would be right back where I started.
I had bought some index cards on a ring. I printed out some prayer guides I had found on Pinterest. I set out clothes to exercise in. Set my study materials on my craft desk. I had a plan.
I would love to say that I jumped out bed Monday morning in excitement when the alarm went off. I pushed myself out of bed. I did 15 minutes interval training on my treadmill listening to worship music. I spent time in prayer. I worked on my 40 Day study. I felt great the rest of the day. I have done this all week. It's still difficult to get up, but I have noticed a weight lifted from me.
I have spent more time praying. When I feel tempted, I pray. I am currently reading a book on prayer (more on that one when I'm finished reading it). I attended a Woman Inspired conference this week. I feel more alive than I have in a long time. I know it's not because of me or anything I have or have not done.
God was patient.
God was merciful.
God loved me not matter what and only wanted the best for me.
He knew what I needed.
He knew how to reach out to me.
He prepped me to listen and I have.
I am not writing this as a confession or to say that everything has been fixed. Far from it. I have lost it on the kids this week. I have gotten angry and allowed bitterness to appear. I know this is a process. The beginning. I also know that Satan will be around. That I will be tempted to fall and slip back into the dark tank. I would ask that you keep me and my family in your prayers. That we would be protected. That I would have the courage to persevere. That I would continue to run the race. That I continue to rest in His arms and submit to His will.
And to think....this all started with a dream about a fish!
What are you struggling with? Have you taken it to God? What has God been telling you? Are you listening? Come link up with the other Java Junkies this week.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday's Voice - Nigeria
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Colossians 1:9 NIV84
Please be in prayer for all believers. Please feel free to share any prayer requests or praise requests in the comment section of the post. I would ask that if you read this blog on a Wednesday that you take time not just to pray for those who are persecuted, but also for each other. We may not know each other, but we can take joy in praying for each other and the power that God has when we pray globally. Blessings to you all.
NIGERIA: Most Dangerous Country for Residing Christians
Source: World Watch Monitor
According to the new 2013 edition of the World Watch List, produced by Open Doors, Nigeria is considered the most dangerous country for a Christian to live. The researchers report, "Between November 2011 and October 2012, we recorded 1,201 killings of Christians worldwide of which 791 happened in Nigeria." Since 2009, the attacks of Boko Haram, a militant Islamic group, have claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people. The majority of the attacks were made against churches -- spanning from the capital Abuja, across mid-to-northern Nigeria, and through to Sharia-law northern states.
In the militant group's ruthless attempts to overthrow the government for the purpose of creating an Islamic state, the resulting havoc and destruction has taken its toll in what is known as Africa's most populous country. And the aftermath of the tragedies affecting Nigeria's innocent victims can be described as excruciating. Deborah painfully recalls how her husband was shot dead in front of her, and how their two daughters, ages 7 and 9, were taken away by the perpetrators on April 25th, 2012. This distraught mother has not received any news of her girls since then. A few months after their abduction, her third child (a son) was shot and killed
While many Christian families have been able to flee from these volatile areas, a small minority of remaining residents are now living in constant fear of further unexpected attacks. In an effort to provide some protection, the government has deployed a special army-police unit. However, it's reported that the security is still fragile in this part of the world
- Please continue to pray for the surviving victims of the attacks, May our Heavenly Father assure them of His comforting presence and tremendous love, while also providing them a safe place in which they can heal and be restored.
- Ask that He give the government officials wisdom and support, as they raise up a standard against the tide of evil seeking to overcome them.
- Pray that God will somehow capture the attention of the members of Boko Haram for sincere repentance and spiritual transformation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
- Michelle
- Alberta, Canada
- I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
Mini Me
Middleman
Tormentinator
Facebook Badge
Where I travel
