Prayers for Venezuela

My brother and his family are missionaries in Venezuela. And for those of you that don't know there is much political unrest in that country. He keeps in contact thru email, facebook and a blog on occasion. He has been asking for prayers for several weeks. 

The Lord woke me up very early yesterday morning with my brother on my heart. I began to pray for him and his family. We know very little of what is going on there, but we know that it isn't good. I read an article and someone said, "we are a very rich country, but we cannot buy a kilo of flour". Those words pierced my heart as well as reading about attacks on the innocent. 

I cannot imagine what it is like there. In my selfish, fleshly mind, I am thinking that boy just needs to pack up and get back to the states. I even sent him a message on Facebook that we were praying, as well as letting him know that he needed to get home. I tend to worry....I know those of you that really know me.... are thinking "tend"??? more like constantly. My mind does head to the bad and I can allow the enemy to come in and turn me upside down! Its a constant battle, but that story is for another time.

Not fifteen minutes later, B brings me my phone and its my baby brother!! (Isn't technology great?? its not even long distance!!) After getting my message he had to share with me what happened...or yet what didn't happen because of God's hand of protection. Assuring me that they are right where God wants them to be. Sharing Christ's love is why they are there. They are in the midst of people that practice Catholicism as well as worshiping 8-9 other gods all at the same time. Head over now to The Venezuelan Voice to read God's Timing is Perfect, my sister-in-law shares what my brother shared with me on the phone.

What faith! What love the Father has shown them and to those around them that they have been ministering to since they moved there in September. He was praising God for His protection, how He showed up and showed the lost that HE is God. My brother has such a peace about being right where he is. He is there to share Christ, and that is exactly what he intends to do. There is no safer place than being in the center of God's will. God's protection, provision. guidance, love, etc is what got them to Venezuela. He mentioned that they have about 3 weeks of food left, but he knows that God will supply all their needs. 

As I hung up the phone, I was putting chicken in my crock-pot. My heart was heavy. How selfish I am. How blessed I am. I can open my freezer and my pantry, get out food, and if I don't have what I want or need. I go five minutes from my house to the grocery store. 

I feel so unworthy. 

My faith is weak.

BUT, my Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally, even in my selfish state of mind. The Lord reminded me He is in control and He has a plan. I just need to trust Him in all the situations going on on Venezuela, as well as what is going on in my family. And most of all, I need to love Him with all my heart, mind and soul. 

Want to know more about God's Love - head over to Raising Future Esthers and check out Deidre's month of devotions.

Pray for my brother and his precious family. Pray for God's protection... provision of food. 

Pray for Venezuela. 

Be a blessing to someone today!!

 

2012 WV Mission Trip

Sorry, it has taken so long for me to post about our Youth Mission Trip to W.V.  There is so much that I could write about. And I probably will. If you get bored with my post, just close out. I have to remember that when I started this blog, it was to be a Family Scrapbook of sorts. As well as a place that I can brag on my Lord & Savior. I hope that one day, when I look back, I can see in writing what God has done and shown me in my life. So if this is more than you care to read. I understand. 

Oh my goodness!! What a weekend! God is sooo good. Prayers & more were answered. Thank you for those of you that prayed for our trip. He always goes above and beyond anything we think or imagine. 

First I want to thank the Lord for the opportunity He placed before me. I had no idea what He had in store for me. It was almost more than I could handle. My cup was so full it was overflowing. I just love that about Him. 

Now, I know there are some awesome Youth Groups out there, but I am going to thank God, not just for the youth that went, but for this WHOLE TEAM!!! You may see people, young and older, but I see hearts, lives and servants with compassionate hearts. I also see my husband, Bub, and Sis!

It is unbelievable that less than 4 hours away life is so different. Its like going back 50-60 years. In 2010, this county was 28th in the lowest poverty levels in the NATION!!! Over 90% of those that live there, are on welfare. There are drugs, alcohol and more that I can't even imagine. 

Brother Harold Ward needs your prayers! He has such a vision for The King's Closet, and just as other ministries have a vision, unfortunately in ministry, there's not enough money, workers, time, etc to complete each part of the vision. Along with that, when God is at work, satan digs his heels in and suppression is all around. In Brother Harold's words, he said, "for instance, if it should take me an hour to hang a door, it will probably take me three." And we saw that first hand when we arrived. We assessed what we had to do when we got there as far as cleaning everything before we unloaded. The toilets and the showers began backing up! Septic line issues( they found the line was busted by a bulldozer)during when they were moving dirt and leveling the area last week . So of course that took priority over some of the cleaning. One of our prayers was to get us out of our comfort zone, and B said, "digging a line with sewage, was not at all in his comfort zone", and I said, "God has such a sense of humor!"

A couple children were saved, PRAISE THE LORD, and many of us were changed. WOW, our youth, what workers!! They were awesome!! God used them as only he can do. Many were broken as never before. Bub was very broken. I have never seen him like that. It's one thing when I am broken,  but it just does something to a Mom & Dad to see their children so broken. (of course tenderhearted Sis was broken before we ever left ~ she has been there twice and has such a burden for those children). I am praying that Bub doesn't lose what God gave him this weekend. This is where my cup was so full!! Serving along side two of our children, God blessed us in a way I cannot put into words! 

Several of the youth that went are the ones that we take to our Children's Camp. And God knew that 19 days after this trip, they would be heading to camp. He knows what we need right when we need it. (as I write this...its 9 days!! )

Brother Harold has such brokenness for the people there. He cannot do it alone. They are so backwards and different there, they don't quite get their need for Jesus. Its very heartbreaking to see those that don't have a clue they are in desperate need of a Savior. Harold gives and does so much for these people, because that is what God has called him to do. He would give them the shirt of his back, yet, they would steal it before they would ask for it. UNREAL. And Harold, still continues and even says, I will do it until God calls me home. (He is 69 years old and works from sun up to sun down.) 

There is so much to do for the Kingdom of God, everywhere. We all need to be broken for the lost, whether we are in WV, our churches, or even at our jobs. We live in a lost and dying world, and when we look at it, we think that its just too much, its too hard, what little I could do, won't even matter. But, what we need to realize is that we can all do something, anything, we can pray, we can share the Word, we can give, we can live our lives out loud, we must get up off the pew and do something, anything for the glory of God!!! He gave his best for us, its way past time that we gave Him our best!!! 

If I could chose one thing that stood out to me the most in this trip, it would be that I do not pray for those in ministry enough. It doesn't matter whether its Brother Harold, my pastors, children & youth workers, ministry leaders, missionaries, local outreach, etc.  I need to cry out to the Lord on their behalf! satan wants nothing more than to defeat anyone that is working for HIS Kingdom and I have failed them by not praying the fervent  prayer of a righteous man! 

Here are some pix from our weekend.... Saturday was Kid's Day! These children are so precious! Just look at their sweet faces and pray that God will become real to them. 

Love this picture of Brother Harold!! 

This young lady LOVED Mr. B!! She told him that I was too old for him!! 

And I was standing RIGHT THERE!! 

And she also told him she thought he was in his 30's. 

Baaaahaaaaaaa!! FUNNY!!!  I will never live this down! 

Our Youth Pastor and friend!

Music time with Sis!

Yumm, snack time!

Craft time! 

Youth Pastor's better half...lol!!

Thank you all for the prayers, please pray for your Brother that God will send him exactly what he needs so that he can continue to do what God has called him to do!!

CONTENT: An Opportunity

Wow... its been over a week since I posted! Where does time go?? The last few weeks of school are busy, along with baseball, baseball, and, well, it leaves a Momma ready to lay her head down at night. By the time I slow down at night, I am a vegetable, so there is no way that I could possible put ONE thought together much less a post! 

With the word CONTENT that God gave me for this year, I have mentioned that in my quest to be content in my life, I do not want to be content in my walk with the Lord. This past weekend God opened a door for me to walk closer to Him. We had the opportunity to go on a Youth Retreat. I have to admit that I was thinking, whew, can I really handle this... along with everything else that is going on? I chose to STOP that train of thought and began asking ....

• God to prepare my heart for the weekend. 
• What He wanted for the Youth? 
• What could I do to point them to Him?
• What He wanted me to bring back home with me? 
• Asking for Him to change me! I wanted to be different than when I left!

Sometimes I do things, and I fail to ask Him what He wants. 'Cause I am a little, a lot wrapped up in ME. And I did chose to look to Him, read His Word, really listen to the words in praise music as well as did my best to stay focused on Him. Oh, the enemy was at work (isn't he always when you are doing something the Lord wants of you??) yet, I prayed that God would just fill me so there was no room for anything else. 

I have to say the weekend was AWESOME... God worked in so many ways. I love, love how He puts things together, in His Way and His Time. HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER!! 

Some things that I brought back and am clinging to and pondering on....(yeah, I know that this was a Youth Retreat, but I can say that it wasn't just for the Youth!) I could go on and on about every one of the following thoughts...but, I don't have time to write a book so.... you can dig in for yourself!

• God created ALL things..... did you get the ALL part?? 
• God has a design for everyone..... He has one for ME!!! & you TOO!!!
• The WORD was made flesh and HE is the GREAT I AM!
• Who is Jesus to me? ( I could go on & on!)
• I want to be like the Centurion and come to Him submissively, humbly, trusting, faithfully, & confidently (that one is tough for me).
• Learn to take orders before I can give orders. (ouch!)
• But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.Hebrews 11:6 ~ I need this reminder numerous times daily!
• It matters how I pray, worship, love, live.......IT ALL MATTERS!
• He's Alive! Worship HIM! HE IS WORTHY!!!!

Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to meet with you this past weekend, for allowing me to spend time with the youth, the counselors, our Youth Pastor and his wife. Thank you for the burden you have placed in their hearts. Lord, give them strength, liberty, mercy and grace to minister to this group of youth! Lord, thank you for the tender hearts, may you work in them so that they would desire to have a deeper relationship with you. Thank you for opening my eyes to the needs of some of those youth. Help me to point others to your Son in all I say and do!

Can't Put Into Words

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of

mine head. Psalm 3:3

Father, thank you for lifting me up when I am weak, for wrapping your arms around me. I am not perfect, and I know I have let you down time and time again.. Thank you for your love and your forgiveness.

In your Son's precious name.

Amen

The Greatest Love of All!

http://www.houseandhone.blogspot.com/

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 24!

Ok.

So I am really late in posting this.... with the month of December almost over (where did it go??) I failed to post my last SSMT verse!! Pinch me I still cannot believe I stuck with this.... again I have failed some through this, yet I am still trying to stay the course! 

With the busyness of the season, I attempted to keep my focus on Jesus..... so that is why I chose the following verse.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Hopefully, soon I can post about our wonderful Christmas with family & friends!! 

Who is HE to YOU??

I have heard this song many times, yet this morning on my way to work it came on and I turned up the volume, so that I could focus on the words as well as My Savior! Oh, I hope that you will take time to listen .....

My Redeemer

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Isaiah 43:1

My Healer

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Almighty

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

My Savior

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

My Defender

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

My King

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Psalm 24:4

Over the years He has been all these to me and so many more.......I praise Him for Who HE IS? He is sooo worthy!! 

Who is HE to you?

Give Thanks Day 2

I GIVE THANKS FOR MY WONDERFUL SAVIOR!!!

Thank you Lord for sending your Son so that I have eternal life!! 

Without Christ I am nothing!!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!!!

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Isaiah 43:1

HE HAS REDEEMED ME!! I AM HIS!!

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:29

I CANNOT BE PLUCKED FROM MY FATHER'S HAND!! 

I could go on & on!!!

OH WHAT A SAVIOR!!!

Behind the Name.......

This song is the behind the name of my blog. Need I say more?

Thank you Lord!!

Piper :)