He Takes My Breath Away

"He Takes My Breath Away"

I have been struggling with sleep this week. All my dreaming amounts to helping others in Major crisis episodes. I'm not sure why I am dreaming so much, but it really has been wearing me out. Michael has even noticed that I'm not sleeping at all. I toss and turn and look at the clock off and on for most nights. The dreams seem so real. I wonder how God uses us even when we are sleeping.

I do know this....God has been taking my breath away with Miracles and Answers to prayers. For those of you I've been praying for, you know what God has been doing for you. He is amazing in how He works....sometimes I question, because I just can't see...yet when I do...again He takes my breath away. Have you had your breath taken away by God's Wonder Hands? Let me know!

This week has been a really tough one for me, but I know God has a plan. He gives me tid bits and large hammer signs of His working hand. All we have to do is pay attention...He wants to walk with us...and live with us...more than twice a week at church! :) PRAISE GOD for answered and unanswered prayers...because He loves to take our breath away...and I love it when He does...even if it takes me a little longer to recognize the joy and overwhelming emotions He brings!

4-H Youth Development

I found this on a Texas 4-H Club site and thought it was very interesting to see a 4-H prayer. It made me happy that in some places, there is prayer! After researching a little bit, the National 4-H Youth Development program does not promote religion due to the laws of the land. It has to do with diversity and non-discrimination.

I thought I'd share what I found. What if every one said this little prayer everyday? Would our world be a better place?

4-H Motto :"To make the best better"

4-H Prayer :
"Help me, Oh Lord, to live so that the world may be a little better, because thou hast made me"

4-H Pledge :
I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking,
My HEART to greater loyalty,
My HANDS to larger service,
and my HEALTH to better living,
for my club, my community,
my country, and my world.

Chris Rice "Cartoons"

Chorus:
I was thinkin' the other day,
"What if cartoons got saved?
They'd start singing praise
In a whole new way...
"Yeah, I was thinkin' the other day,
"What if cartoons got saved?
They'd start singing praise
In a whole new way..."
Fred and Wilma Flintstone
Sing "Yabba-dabba-do-lu-yah"Scooby-doo and Shaggy:"Scooby-dooby-doo-loo-yah"
And the Jetsons' dog named Astro:"Rough-ray-roo-loo-yah"
(repeat chorus)
Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles:
"Cowabunga-loo-yah, Dude!"
Then there's, "Kermit the Frog here, singing,
High-ho-le-loo-yah"
And that little bald guy, Elmer Fudd:"How-ay-woo-yah"
(repeat chorus)
Oh that big old moose and his friend Rocky,"Bullwinkle-loo-yah"
And our favourite bear named Yogi,"Hey, Boo-Boo-loo-ya"
Then there's all those little blue guys
And they'd sing, "Hah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lay-loo-yah"
How about Beavis and that other guy?"Nah!!"
Now, there's a point to this looney-tuneI'm not an Anamaniac
But there's a lot of praisin' to do
And cartoons weren't made for that
It's our job
So, let's sing hallelujah

PRAY

I love looking at the Oral Roberts Praying Hands Statute! It's a great reminder that we have power through prayer...through God's reply! When you feel like you have nothing left....PRAY...drop to your knees...let your heart pour out to the FATHER! He will give you an answer...be ready for it! It may not be the answer you want...but the one you need! PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

Wounds

Okay...here's for the first time...one of my wounds from my surgery. Just like when cut on the outside...things we do...can cause a wounded heart. There are so many things that people do to us everyday that can cause wounds. Some are more painful than others! What wounds do you have today that God could help you start to heal?

I love the armor of God scripture in helping us be prepared every day as we go unto the world and mingle among people and experience many things.

Ephesians 6:10-17

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"

BABY STEPS

This pic is a friends precious little baby. As many of you know, Michael and I have been trying to get a little one here for some time...I've been trying since we got married almost 5 years ago! As this journey keeps going....and I attend baby showers and hospital rooms....I am comforted by my Father! I praise God for bringing Michael and I closer together. We've come a long ways! So....thinking of babies...I need to remember that in anything that we try to do or change....we have to take baby steps. One thing at a time....one pain at a time...one obstacle at a time. Whatever you are going through....remember....this too will pass....BABY STEPS.....it's not easy....sometimes....it's not meant to be easy....it will strengthen you...I promise....because God is here. Let Him comfort you....let Him amaze you.....let Him give you REST! A baby in a mother's womb is protected and cared for within God's amazing design. When he created you and me....he had a plan for all steps in our life! Remember...take BABY STEPS...sometimes you can do a giant leap....but lots of things....BABY STEPS!

Limbo

Ever felt that you were in limbo...well...I have many times. It seems that my life hits a fork in the road often....and I always feel like I can't move either way....because I get in the way. Yes, many times you will read that I need to just step aside. Our pastor talked about Martha and Mary again this week...to finish up his series on "Identity Theft" Healing the Woman! I think I am right in the middle of the ladies. I know more and more of what God's will is for my life, but I feel that it's a tough road. Every road has it's ups and downs! I want to be in His will....I want to not be in the limbo stage where I am stuck in cement....but come to find out the only cement that's really there...is me! Step aside...let God work...and believe He'll get you there. I'm ready for whatever He has for me...YES, that's a big thing to say....and yes, I better be ready...because the load will come...but why I can say I'm ready....He's in control....he'll provide me the gas I need to keep moving forward...He'll do His work...and hopefully, I can be there to see it happen.

Are you letting Him do His will or are you getting in His way?

Psalm 27:1

"Give Time To Quietness" by Amy Carmichael

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalm 27:1

The fight to which we have been called is not an easy fight. We are touching the very center of the Devil's power and kingdom, and he hates us intensely and fights hard against us. We have no chance at all of winning this fight unless we are disciplined like soldiers, utterly out-and-out and uncompromising, and men and women of prayer.

So, first, give much time to quietness. For the most part we have to get our help directly from our God. We are here to help, not to be helped, and we must each learn to walk with God alone and feed on His Word so as to be nourished. Don't only read and pray; listen. And don't evade the slightest whisper of guidance that comes. May God make you very sensitive, and very obedient.

Fill up the crevices of time with the things that matter most. This will cost something, but it is worth it. "Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Psalm 27:8).

All this will be, if you walk with Him as with a visible Companion, from dawn through all the hours till you go to sleep at night. And your nights will be holy, too, for He is watching over your sleep as your mother watched over it when you were a tiny child.

My own words:
This is powerful I know I fail often with having God compartmentalized....he can be with me here and here....forgetting to bring him over there and here. I know I feel like I'm not worth helping anyone right now, but I pray that God would push me aside and continue to work...even when I do not feel like it at times. It goes back to the whole footprint story. I know He's carrying me right now. I PRAISE GOD on HIGH for carrying me when I feel worthless and weak! May my life and others seek His face...words and life!

F.R.O.G.G.I.E.

I saw this on a website F.R.O.G.G.I.E - Fully Rely on God's Grace In Everything.

When I was working with the youth back in the day at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Cushing, we called ourselves the F.R.O.G.'s - Fully Rely On God. We had these awesome tie died shirts and had an amazing adventure together in Christ. I wish I would have had the FROGGIE saying....how important it is for us to rely on His Grace. I PRAISE GOD ON HIGH for giving us such an amazing gift...HIS Son to die on the cross for our sins! PRAISE GOD TO THE HIGHEST!

Visit this website to see the praying frogs...very cute and a great reminder:

http://www.ronberrystudios.com/froggie.html

Christian Poem

"To Do List From God" By Joanna Fuchs

I ran my life in search of worldly things;
My time and will were firmly in control.
I thought I had no need for what God brings;
I gave no heed to murmurs from my soul.
“You’re planning, doing all the time,”
it said,“But something else is missing deep inside.
Your mind is whirling, but your heart is dead,
So turn to God and let go of your pride.”
I did, and God said, “Here’s My plan for you:
Give your life to Me, and just let go.
Have faith and pray, and read the Bible through,
And you’ll have blessings more than you can know.”
So simple, yet it brings me perfect peace,
Living life for God the way I should.
Direction, purpose, fullness and release—Life with God is very, very good.

By Joanna Fuchs

The inspirational Christian poem above, To Do List From God, focuses on how much better and more peaceful life is when we move away from worldly things and closer to Jesus.
Christians who remember what their lives were like before being saved can relate to how this Christian poems reveals how the stresses of the world and our need to plan and control things can make life difficult.

When we turn it all over to God, life becomes so much more peaceful and satisfying.

Veggie Tales

If you've never seen Veggie Tales, they are a must. Back in 1998, the church collegiate group I was a part of had Veggie Tale watch parties. They were so much fun! They really have grown the list of characters since then. I'm going to get caught up soon! I eventually want to own all of the shows, so my future kids will be able to enjoy and learn Godly lessons from them.

Visit:

http://bigidea.com/index.aspx

One of my favorite songs from college when I first started watching veggie tales....was the Cheeseburger song.....

(Spoken) (verse 1)

Ehem.. And now it's time for love songs with Mr.Lunt,

The part of the show where Mr.Lunt comes out,

and Sings a love song.

He said to her "I'd like a cheeseburger,

And i might like a milkshke aswell",

And said to him "i cant give you either",

But he said "it's in this burger bell!",

She said "yes it is, but were closed now,

But we open tommorow at ten!",

HE SAID "I AM EXTREMELY HUNGRY!!!!

But i guess i cant wait until then

Chorus)

Coz' your his Cheeseburger,

His yummy Cheeseburger,

He'll wait for you-ooo,YAH!

He'll wait for you-ooo,

Oh, You are his Cheeseburger,

His tasty Cheeseburger,

He'll wait for you-ooo,

Oh, he will wait for you.

(verse 2)

He stayed at the drive-thru till sunrise,COCKELLDOODLEDOO!!!!

He may have dozed of once or twice,

when he spotted a billboard for 'Danny's',

Bacon and Eggs for half price,

How could he resist such an offer,

He REALLY needed somthing to munch!

Cheeseburger please do not get angry!

He'll eat and be back here for lunch!

(Chorus)

Coz' your his Cheeseburger,

He's priceless Cheeseburger,

Be back for you-ooo,

He'll be back for you-ooo,

Won't be so long Cheeseburger,

Oh lovely Cheeseburger,

Be back for you-ooo,

Oh he'll be back for you!

(verse 3)

Coz' he loves his Cheeseburer with all his heart,

And there aint' nothing gunna tear you two-oo apart,

And if the world went in here and ran out of cheese,

He would get down on his hands and knees,

I tell if someone accidenly dropped some cheese in the dirt,

Then they would wipe it up for you,

Wipe it up for you,

Clean that dirty cheese up just for YOU!!!!!!

You are his Cheese-bur-GER!!

Christian Music Spotlight: "Who Am I" - Point of Grace

Who Am I

Over time You've healed so much in me,
And I am living proof.
That although my darkest hour had come,
Your light could still shine through.
Though at times it's just enought to cast,
A shadow on the wall.
I am grateful that you've shined your light on me at all.

CHORUS:
Who Am I,
That you would love me so gently?
Who Am I,
That you would recognize my name?
Who Am I,
That you would speak to me so softly?
Conversation with the Lord most high.
Who Am I?

Oh Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost,
But now am found.
Was blind,
But now I see.
And the more I sing that sweet old song,
The more I understand.
That I do not comprehend this
love that's coming from your hand.

CHORUS
Grace, grace.
God's grace.
Grace that will pardon, and clense within.
Grace, grace.
God's great grace.
Grace that is greater than all my sin.

CHORUS
Lord, Who Am I?
Who Am I?
Lord Who Am I?
Who Am I?
Who Am I?

New Beginnings

Interesting connection with Butterflies and Christianity

The butterfly has long been a Christian symbol of resurrection, for it disappears into a cocoon and appears dead, but emerges later far more beautiful and powerful than before.

As a symbol of Christ's resurrection after three days in the grave, the butterfly is seen especially around Easter. But the butterfly is also a symbol of every Christian's hope of resurrection from the dead.

Related Bible Verses
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52b)

REFERENCE: http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/symbols/butterfly.htm