Special blog posts about special kids

This week, I am honored to be sharing two posts over at Encouragement Cafe with Luann and Friends. Please stop by. I hope it's a blessing to you!

Jesus Loves the Little Children

and

Shattered Dreams and New Hope.

God bless!

Whose in charge here anyway?

I've been a Christian quite a long time, but I'm finally beginning to understand some things. For the longest time, I got frustrated that I attended church every week but my life never seemed to work right. I kept battling the same problems: fears of financial insecurity, angry outbursts, pessimism, and laziness. (Please don't ask my husband if that's all... I'm sure he could add to the list.)

Somewhere along the line, it finally hit me. Psalm 16:11 says, "You will show me the path of life; Your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore." God will show me the path of life. In God's presence is the fullness of joy. At God's right hand are pleasures forevermore. Without God by my side, that joy I crave just isn't coming.

I had thought accept Jesus and be happy. The end. Christian living, though, is Christian relationship with Jesus. Time spent reading the Bible (and discovering truths like Psalm 16:11), praying, and praising God leads to joy. It took a while for me to figure out how to do that. Here's what my faith looks like now... It's a lot more than going to church on Sunday.

Time reading the Bible:

• When I read, I go passage by passage so I can think about the words. 
• I use a study Bible. I have several, but I started with the Life Application Study Bible which explains the ancient text as it applies today. 
• I read cross-references. The side margin includes links from one verse to other verses in the Bible. Reading those links helps me understand the broader meaning of the verse.
• I keep a journal and write my thoughts and prayers as they are inspired by the scripture. I ask God to show me how to apply the scripture in my life.

Prayer:

• My prayer time is casual. I talk to Jesus just like I'd talk with you. No fancy words. He knows what I'm thinking about, my stresses, worries, ideas and joys. 
• I tell him about prayer concerns my friends share with me and I trust him to handle their problems. (I used to try to figure out the solution for them, but I realize, that's HIS job!)
• I pray throughout the day, too. When I walk the dog, I pray for neighbors, especially my kids' friends. I pray for our family as I cook dinner. I throw up a quick prayer, "Jesus hold my tongue." when I want to scream at the kids.... OR "Jesus, I'm sorry." after I scream at them!
• I pray with my husband and kids. It keeps us close.
• Perhaps the thing I've learned to do best is LISTEN!!! Prayer is a conversation with Jesus. Listening is essential to a good conversation. He speaks, though it's hard to explain. Just try it. You'll see!

Praise!

• Praising God for all the good He does is exhilarating. Truly!
• Traffic jam? Praise God that you have a car to get stuck in.
• Kids driving you crazy? Praise God that you have been blessed with children. So many people long for the arguments you must endure... they don't have kids.
• Sick of macaroni and cheese again? Praise God for the meal on your table. Much of the world is going hungry.
• Keeping the temperature set at 67 to keep utility costs down? Praise God for your sweater -- or sweatshirt.
• Sunny skies out your window? Rejoice that He has given you another day! (You can praise for rain too :D)
• Basically, God blesses us with so much. We get so caught up in our wants and desires that we miss out. Choose not to miss the little things He does for you each day. You'll be amazed at your blessings once you start looking for them!

Most of my life, I've been "in charge." Or I thought I was. Really, though, I was captive to my emotions, fears and worries. They dictated how I lived. It was not fun! Now, God is in charge. He is the center and He's doing a great job! The more I trust Him the easier it is to trust Him more. (Yes, you can reread that sentence. It DOES make sense!!!) 

Who's in charge of your life? Is it you? Your feelings? Fears? Emotions? Finances? Or is it God? 

If you happened to read yesterday's post, Paint your world happy, I hope this post helps you understand how this new relationship with Jesus works. It's also important that you do get involved in a church. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Accountability and encouragement from other Christians makes this all so much easier to understand. 

Eloquent Ellie

No surprise that our little diva likes sparkle words!

Ellie's teacher is helping the kids grasp the concept of "sparkle" words, mostly adjectives that occur before the word they describe. Eloquent Ellie loves sparkle words! She joyously interrupts a quiet conversation when she recognizes these dazzling darlings! As we read her books, she frequently interrupts herself when she discovers a hidden gem in the story.

Sometimes, though, her quiet soul quivers when she can't think of a wonderful word to interject in her school sentences.... as you can see, I have no such ignominious issue!

To help my effervescent Ellie perfect her new skill, we are memorizing Psalm 145 together. Just read this precious words...

I will exalt you, my God the King; 

   I will praise your name for ever and ever. 

² Every day I will praise you 

   and extol your name for ever and ever.

 ³ Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; 

   his greatness no one can fathom. 

⁴ One generation commends your works to another; 

   they tell of your mighty acts. 

⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— 

   and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works— 

   and I will proclaim your great deeds. 

⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness 

   and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

I doubt that King David's first grade teacher taught sparkle words, but I'm confident that with all his soul, he understood the glorious richness these words add. And he used them to praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, God, his Savior and Redeemer!

How about us? Does God hear us sing his deserved praises? Or does he just hear our pitiful moans?

Something to think about!

May your day be richly blessed with the love of your Heavenly Father who adores you!