A Proverbs 31 Woman Wannabe

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Your Debt Has Been Paid
2007-11-12 18:46:00
In the spirit of thanksgiving, and the coming holiday season, I want to share something that I shared back when I first started this blog. I wanted to share a concept called Paid 4U. It is a concept not just based on random acts of kindness, but also on the fact that Jesus paid our debt for us. You can go to the website to learn more about it, but I wanted to share what I know about it with you.When you participate in this "program" you get these bright green cards, that look a little like business cards. They say Paid4U on them. You can use them whenever you want to pay for something for someone. Say you're in the drive through at Starbucks, and you want to pay for the person's order behind you. You give your money and card to the cashier, and ask them to give the card to the person you've paid for. The person will then likely be compelled to look the information up and perhaps, they will continue the practice. It is designed to introduce or remind others of the debt pai...
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Always the Same
2007-11-09 18:26:00
I want to share something HUGE with you today! I love history and I love the bible. When you put the two together, well I'm just tickled by it all. What I'm going to share today is something I've been learning about. Now, I've always been told, and I believe it too, that the bible supports itself throughout the Old and New Testaments. That what is said in one portion is supported in another. That's because God does not lie. He knows our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows.My husband called it Moore in the morning and Moore in the evening, because I'm doing a Beth Moore study in the mornings, and listening to David Moore in the evenings. (Yes, I am aware he's had some issues with his personal life that affected his ministry; but what I'm listening to came from before those issues, and it doesn't make them any less true.) While doing these studies, I'm learning a lot about the Old Testament, and the prophecies related to the nation of Israel . For the most part, the Be...
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Miss Goody Two Shoes
2007-11-08 18:00:00
Yesterday, I prayed for a return to normalcy. Today, I realize that I can't pray for that, because one does not return to something they never were to begin with. I am NOT normal. :) Does anyone else in the world live their life as though it's a musical???? I think of songs all day long, and music is a big joy in my life, but COME ON!!! A couple days ago I had an "oldie" stuck in my head, and this morning I woke up to the song by Adam and the Ants "Goody Two Shoes " (anybody remember them??) I won't post the video here, because I'm not sure that it's a positive message to the song, but anyway, the link to it is up there, for those that just like 80's music.I know why this song was in my head. I'm quitting smoking, and for now, I'm not drinking because drinking makes me want to smoke. So I've quit both for an undetermined amount of time (not the smoking- I plan on that being for the rest of my life.) Anyway, so I looked in the mirror this morning as soon as my eyes were clear...
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Perhaps I Spoke Too Soon by Shalene
2007-11-07 17:35:00
Yesterday, I kept thinking about that song by the Rolling Stones. That song about the "Mother's Little Helper" (Yes, I'm that old.) :) And I kept thinking that a couple weeks ago, I spoke too soon. I do that often. Speaking too soon, that is. But that's another subject for another day. Today I'm speaking of the fact that I'm going to be taking the little yellow pill again (No, I'm not talking about the same one that the Rolling Stones sing about in "Mother's Little Helper". Not a very pleasant song in my opinion.) The results of the pill I will be taking will be similar to the Rolling Stones song though, in that they are an antidepressant. When did I speak to soon? I spoke too soon when I said I couldn't remember the last time I had an episode that was severe enough to warrant medication. Though it is true that I couldn't recall one at the time I made that statement, though you may find it hard to believe, I am in the throes of one now.I have determined though, that ...
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WHAM!! Right Between the Eyes!! by Shalene
2007-11-06 16:51:00
This may seem like a strange thing to say, but something just hit me last night. Something big! I realized that though I am a Christian, and a minister, I have never shared with anyone through this forum, how to come to Jesus Christ and how to pray the sinner's prayer! How could I be so lax???!!! So I am remedying that fact today. Though most of my readers are already believers, I need to be ready always for anyone that might come seeking Him. I need to be ready for that one person that says, what do I do? How do I gain that salvation? For that one person, here is your answer. Please keep in mind, that there is nothing you need to do to make yourself ready to do this. You do not need to get your life together, you don't need to straighten up this or that aspect of your life. You do not need to make yourself worthy in any way. It can't be done. All you need to do is accept this FREE gift.1. First you must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God and that he came to earth ...
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For My Wonderful Husband
2007-11-05 20:05:00
Many of you know what a great relationship my husband and I have. Many of you know that he also reads my blog everyday, and often adds a quip here or there to tease or encourage me. So far, I have not made a point of bragging on my husband, and I'm sure that there are times when he might wonder why. Though bragging on him is not the purpose of my blog, having a great marriage is one of the aspects of this blog. So today, I want to tell the world why I think my hubby's the best. Please don't hate me, because my husband's beautiful. :)He has the most beautiful green eyes that when they are uncovered (he likes his sunglasses), causes even the most faithful of women to want to stare into them, and drown in their depths. I suppose that could be a stumbling block, but I don't mind. They are beautiful, after all.He has a magnificent body that he does not have to work at (I'm kinda jealous of this fact, because I DO have to work at any semblance of a nice shape, but oh well.) ...
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MMM!!! Monday by Shalene
2007-11-05 16:58:00
I have so many ideas of things that I would like to write about, but none are fully formed, so today, I am going to share a recipe that my mother and I used to compete with each other on. My mother originally shared the recipe with me, and I then tweaked it. Then she took my recipe and tweaked it, then I did the same and back and forth, until we have this recipe. It was a competition all in good fun, and in complete love. It was one of the areas where we really had fun with one another. We both used our families as guinea pigs, and though I don't get to make this recipe often anymore (bell peppers, unfortunately are not my family's favorite vegetable) I do still make it very rarely, because it's not a recipe that one would make every day, and I've gotten compliments on it. So here it is: my recipe forStuffed Bell PeppersIngredients 6-8 med bell peppers (use any color you wish, according to taste, but be sure they are round and squat) 1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef (any ground mea...
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What's Up With All Those "Begats"?
2007-11-05 02:01:00
I found this over at Isaiah's site, and finally I see the reason behind the "begats." If you were like me, and used to skim over them, because you were certain that there was no real purpose in them, except to tell us some geneology that no one really cared about; then do watch this video. I stand amazed and more than a little bit contrite. Blessings to you! (Don't forget to pause the music player at the end of the posts, so you can hear without a lot of garbled mess.) There is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
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Joining Others and Following the Crowd (kinda)
2007-11-04 03:06:00
As though I didn't have enough to do, I've decided to do something that may be fun. I've joined the NaBloPoMo '07 bloggers. What in the world?? you ask? Well, basically it's this. I write something everyday for the month of November. Since I pretty much do this anyway, I didn't think it would be too much of a big deal. What that means though, is that my Sunday Song Recommendations will have to come alongside other interesting written words. And I won't be able to do Wordless Wednesdays without doing Word filled Wednesdays too (I don't know if there's actually a Word Filled Wednesday thing or not, but I will have to do it whether there is or not.) :) I think I can do it, so long as you have patience with me, when it seems that maybe I'm writing just to be writing. I've also done that on occasion, as you know, so perhaps, it won't be an issue. I think my biggest challenge will be when I go to Oregon at the end of the month and trying to come up with something to ...
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Sometimes...... by Shalene
2007-11-02 20:57:00
I am an intelligent woman. Most people that know me would agree. But sometimes I can be a bit of a ditz, and sometimes, sometimes I do things that are just plain stupid. Things that any intelligent person wouldn't do. Some of you will recall that a few months ago, I asked for your prayers in order that I might quit smoking. You will also recall that I finally managed to be successful while I was pregnant. Now, I must confess that once the hopelessness of our situation came to light, I allowed myself to fall back into my old habit. I started again. Now, I ask you, how stupid was that??? Especially considering that we intend to try again for another baby in a couple months. Ok, I'm done beating myself up. I ask for your prayers again. And for your prayers over my husband. We are both going to do it this time, and likely it won't be especially pleasant in our house for a couple days. But then again, perhaps you can pray for that as well. That the Lord would have compassion on our ef...
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A Community Service Announcement
2007-11-02 17:23:00
Today, my writings are directed more towards those that live in the US and to for some of it, to the readers in my own area. But it's applicable to all, so please do read on.Firstly, I was given information the other day about a movie called "The Golden Compass". I have been asked to warn all that I know about the deviousness of this movie. If you'd like more information about this movie, and what' so bad about it, please do see this link. Or you can visit this one. If you are a Christian parent, you do NOT want to take your children to see it! Obviously, you will want to make up your own mind about it, and I urge you to do so, but please go into it with your eyes wide open.Next, I'd like to ask all of you for your prayers. I have been convicted lately of my inability to become salt "outside of the shaker" (in other words, I'm predominately ministering to other Christians, and not really obeying the Great Commission to the fullest of my ability.) Therefore, I have been ...
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His Infallible Word by Shalene
2007-11-01 16:31:00
Relient K- Getting Into YouI was asked a question recently about how I can believe the Word to be infallible. About how I can believe the bible is Truth, despite all the "translations" it has gone through. For the person that asked that question, here I present your answer.History of the Sharing of the Old Testament of the BibleAs oral history was the original form of passing on the stories included in the bible, it is known that when one thing is said to one person, and then repeated, facts often get changed and/ or rearranged. In order for this not to happen, daily practices, or doctrines, were deemed appropriate and necessary, so as to pass on this information to subsequent generations. This is how ALL history was related, not just the teaching of the bible. At the onset of writing, these oral stories and traditions began to be put to "paper." This can be found and corroborated by the fact that the bible is not the only source for stories regarding the story of Creation and the "...
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Inviting Persecution by Shalene
2007-10-31 22:26:00
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 NKJVDo I invite persecution, perhaps I do. I won't go into too much detail, but because of the nature of my previous posts (the ones that I have now deleted) I have brought persecution upon myself. Am I upset by this? No, I'm not. I count it all blessing that I am being persecuted, because that then means that I must be doing something to further His kingdom, and something that the deceiver does not want me to do. For the record, I did not delete the posts because of the persecution, but rather for the sake of those souls that may come to my blog seeking Truth. I do not want the content they find here, to in any way cause them to stumble in their search of Him. I had actually discussed this matter with my husband last night...
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My Third and Final Answer by Shalene
2007-10-30 22:07:00
Hello Mr. Hallows,In an attempt to keep from "dipping and dodging" your questions (which by the way, I did not realize I had done- perhaps I misunderstood your questions) I am answering them within your original email. I have changed the font color to make it easier to see which are mine and which are yours. Please forgive me, if I get off subject, as I tend to think in stream of consciousness. So I will begin.Well, you have shown yourself to be a creationist at heart. I would please like your responce to a number of questions I've raised that you have dipped and dodged. As for those papers and the remains of noah's ark... it's just not there, period. If the "great flood" did happen, then any remains would have deteriorated over time long long long long ago. However, if you don't believe in evolution, then why belief in decay?I believe in Creation, yes. (How could I be a Christian and believe in the God that I do, without believing in His omnipotent power?) We will leave off the...
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An Answer to An Agnostic or Deist (not an Atheist) by Shalene
2007-10-29 17:00:00
Dear Readers: I have had continued correspondence with Mr. Hallows, of crazychristianblog who in my previous post, I erroneously classified as an atheist. He has informed me that he is somewhat a Deist, somewhat an agnostic. (I do not endorse his site, but I felt that in all fairness, I would include his link, for those that wish to know more of what this man's beliefs are. I warn you that the site is full of insult to Christianity, Christ followers, and swearing. Visit with caution, and prayer.) However, the fact remains that he does not believe in God , as I do, and so am continuing to share our correspondence. I welcome your comments, and would like to ask your continued prayers upon him. Remember that despite what he may think of us, God loves him, and so should we.First, his email to me, and then my response.Subject: Responce To Your 2 EmailsThank you for your response. First of all let me point out a few things. I was in fact raised as a Christian, my mother is of Cathol...
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Sunday Song Recommendations
2007-10-28 20:55:00
Ginny Owens- If You Want Me To GINNY OWENS lyricsSorry, only one song for today, but I think it's enough, don't you?? Blessings to you.There is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
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An Answer to An Atheist by Shalene
2007-10-28 18:42:00
I received this by email today, and would like to request your prayers over this man. I am sharing his email to me, and my response, and would welcome your comments and suggestions. Blessings to you.Subject: Response To A Comment You Made At crazychistianblogHello, You left a comment on my blog and I would like to give you the full chance to explain your reason for your believe in Christianity. I am by a long shot completely dumbfounded why anybody would take up a religion such a Christianity, a religion that was founded 300 years after the events that shaped it and it ultimately nothing more Judaism 2.0. I can tell that you are very much a devout woman but I am yet to get a satisfying answer to one question. Why are you a Christian? At what point did you decided Christianity was a religion for you. Are you a Christian because your family is, or is it because your husband is, or because this is a country run and governed by Christians. What, besides a dusty old book actually makes y...
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The Theory of Relativity--I Mean Relativism By Shalene
2007-10-26 20:54:00
No, today's article is not about Einstein's Theory of Relativity . Please visit the provided link, if that is what you were looking for. For those of you that know what my writings are really about, or those just visiting and wanting to learn more about what it means to live as Christ follower, I invite you to read on.Today's article is about moral relativism. "What is that??!!", you ask? Moral Relativism is defined by Wikipedia as In philosophy, moral relativism is the position that moral or ethical propositions do not reflect objective and/or universal moral truths, but instead make claims relative to social, cultural, historical or personal circumstances. Moral relativists hold that no universal standard exists by which to assess an ethical proposition's truth; it is the opposite of moral absolutism. Relativistic positions often see moral values as applicable only within certain cultural boundaries or in the context of individual preferences. An extreme relativist position mig...
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Cracked! Like an Egg- A Beautiful Mess Part 3 by Shalene
2007-10-24 17:42:00
Matt Redman- You Never Let GoBe strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 NKJV"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5 NKJV At the tender age of 8, I cracked for the first time. I had never been exposed to God, or to church as of yet, and so had no idea of a God out there that cared about me. You see, by this age, I had already endured abuse, heaped upon abuse, and yet I functioned normally until that fateful day that my brother died.He may not have been my biological brother, but he was family, and the closest thing to a brother I had. His mother was my father's cousin, and she was our caregi...
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Prayerlessness- A Beautiful Mess Part 2 by Shalene
2007-10-23 16:57:00
Holy Holy Holy hymn from PraiseWebsite.comLet my prayer be set before You as incense,The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2 NKJVWho is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God , who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 NKJVThere was a time after I became a believer in which I did not pray as I should. In the infancy of my salvation, I thought it was enough that I had accepted Christ into my life, and was attempting to live as Christ did- by showing love to everyone. I have since learned that living right is not enough. Certainly, it is not enough for the more mature believer that I am now.Once again, I am studying the tabernacle of the children of Israel, and I am studying about the altar of incense. The priests of the tabernacle were the only ones allowed to burn the incense upon the altar. They were to kindle the fire from coals from the altar of sacrifice, every morning and every ev...
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Old Wounds- A Beautiful Mess Part 1 by Shalene
2007-10-23 00:12:00
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJVWhile the verse above is not what yesterday's sermon was about, nevertheless, yesterday's sermon in church spoke to me. We were studying one of the miracles of Jesus. This was the third week of a six week series on the miracles of Jesus. You can listen here, if you so choose. (The sermon notes are also available here, if you want them.) It wasn't so much the miracle that Jesus performed, and that which was the sermon topic that had me thinking, so much as the fact that we all have wounds that keep us from being our very best, and more than just a beautiful mess. All of us bring old wounds into the present on a consistent basis. In some instances, it clouds our judgement, and in...
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Sunday Song Recommendations
2007-10-21 15:42:00
Everything Glorious- David Crowder Band (the first verse has a mistake in the written lyrics. It should say "the night is lighter than it's HUE, which leads me to believe.")There is another song I wanted to share with you, but there is no video for it yet. Apparently, it is still too new. The song is by Matthew West and the title is "You Are Everything" off his newest album coming out January 2008 Something to Say. You can hear it here. (There is a video on the site, but not of this song.) I love the verse that states "you're the one that sees what I was meant to be, more than just a beautiful mess."Image courtesy of Kimmie at JustOneLily. Thank you Kimmie! There is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
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Lost in Translation by Shalene
2007-10-19 17:08:00
I had some interesting dialogue with my husband last night (as we do most nights) and I wanted to share it with you, because it led me to some profound thoughts. I was in the kitchen last night and my husband was in the living room with our two youngest children. I could hear the baby running around like a wild child, and asked my husband from the kitchen: "Are you letting her be active and rambunctious?" He said "huh?" and so I turned my head towards the living room, and said a little louder and a little slower "Are you letting her be active and rambunctious?" He said "Another yak on the bounces?" I lost it! I started giggling uncontrollably. Unfortunately, it really isn't all that funny.You see, the reason for our issue was that my husband has a partial hearing loss that causes him difficulty in hearing the exact decibel level that my voice happens to be in. Too many years of listening to loud music and working around loud machinery has caused this. (Yes, I did see the report fro...
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The Old Testament- My Confession by Shalene
2007-10-18 21:39:00
I have a confession to make. I was one of those Christians that tended to steer clear of the Old Testament , due to a belief that it was outdated or outmoded for life in today's society. I thought so long as I spent time in the New Testament of His Word, that that should be sufficient. I was woefully mistaken! I never realized just how pertinent the Old Testament is to us, even today, and how much of it is continued or expounded upon in the New Testament. In one of the bible studies I am doing right now, this fact has been brought home to me very strongly. Learning about the tabernacle that the Israelites built in the wilderness, has been very enlightening.I think I mentioned before that unbeknownst to me, the tabernacle that they built was a "copy or a pattern" of that which is in Heaven, as shown to Moses on the mountain. How awesome is that?! A replica, if you will, of something that existed in Heaven, and we can "see" it just by reading the words in Exodus that describe it. I'd...
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Warm Hands and Warm Heart by Shalene
2007-10-18 17:52:00
I'm a little cold blooded. Now, by that I don't mean that I am mean to people. I mean that I am always cold. Especially my hands and feet. I am especially cold when my red blood cell count is low enough that I am anemic. Which, because of my medical issues this past week, happens to be the case right now.So last night, to combat the chills, I placed socks on my feet like I always do. It doesn't matter what I'm sleeping in, you will find socks on my feet. :) When I gave my husband a hug and kiss last night before I went to bed, he said "Your hands are like ice! Do you need socks on your hands too?" I thought he was joking and said "maybe so" as I laughed. He wasn't joking though, and got out a pair of his warmest wool hunting socks and placed them on my hands. I thought it was funny, but I left them on, because they WERE warm. :) It got me thinking while I was falling asleep too.I got to thinking: How many times do we, as the hands and feet of Christ, warm them up, before reachi...
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Sunday Funnies from Reverendfun.com
2007-10-14 16:08:00
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The Bronze Laver by Shalene
2007-10-13 17:47:00
I have gotten a little behind in a bible study I am doing of Beth Moore's study "A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place. However, I realized this morning that I have spent entirely too much time in self pity, and not enough time in His Word. So I began studying again. I came upon a powerful truth today, that I would like to share with you.How many of you, that are believers, choose to say a repetitious prayer "God, forgive me of all my sins"? Have you ever thought that perhaps that is not nearly enough? I have, but today it was brought home fully. I am reading about the bronze laver that was placed between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, for the Israelites that God brought out of Egypt. (Exodus 30:18 NKJV) This bronze laver was for washing the hands and feet of the priests before they could enter into the tabernacle of meeting. If they did not they would die. Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?Or who may stand in His holy place?He who has clean hands and a pure heart...
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Sometimes I Feel Angry
2007-10-12 16:16:00
I'm a Christ follower, but sometimes I get angry. Some times I get really angry! I do know that anger isn't of God, though, unless it's righteous anger; but I can't always say that it mine is. I'm ashamed of that, but I am only human. Back before I was a Christ follower, I listened to heavy metal music when these moods hit me. They seemed to feed my feelings. Now, though, when I feel angry, I've found something that may seem like a bit of an oxymoron: Christian Heay Metal. Yes, you read that right. Christian Heavy Metal. The music is rocking and driving and hard, but the words are God fearing and God loving. I'd like to share one of my favorites with you today. It's songs like these that actually stem my feelings, and yet, still give me the satisfaction of letting go of the anger, in a positive way.Red- Breathe Into Me There is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
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Joy In Mourning by Shalene
2007-10-11 16:40:00
THE LORD is my shepherd;I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the LORDForever. Psalm 23 NKJVMost of us have heard this Psalm, but I wonder how many of us really stop to consider what King David meant when he penned these words. All day yesterday, this Psalm was in my head. It comforted me, when I needed comfort."The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." Is the Lord your shepherd? Do you allow Him to lead you in everything you do? Do you allow Him to be Jehovah- Jireh in your life; providing for al...
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We Know For Sure Now
2007-10-10 01:37:00
First, I want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes, and ask that you continue to pray for us. This pregnancy is not viable; and in fact, there is no baby in my womb. Only the gestational sac. I will be taking medication tonight to help my body to flush it out itself, so that prayerfully, I won't have to have another D&C. I also ask for your prayers for next time. We will be trying again in a few months. Until then, thank you again for your prayers for this pregnancy, and know that my faith has not been shaken at all. Though I'm not happy, I know that God 's will is always what is best for me. I may not always know the reasons, but I don't have to. I don't know whether I'll feel up to posting tomorrow or not. I'll either be in pain or drugged up from the pain killers. So we will see. Blessings to all of you. Jesus loves you and so do I. Subscribe in a reader