Heart Choices: 2011-07-24 -->

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WFW ~ God Loves Even You


It's another Word-filled Wednesday and I'm linking up with the Internet Cafe Devotions.

Recently, I've been taking time to sit on the back patio before it gets too hot.  It's a precious time of sipping coffee, looking at the birds and bunnies and spending time with my husband.

As I notice how tiny many of these birds are, I'm reminded again of how God is sovereign.  He knows all of the intimate details of my life.  After all, He provides food for even the smallest bird.


Don't forget how much God loves you!

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

IOWT ~ How's Your Prayer Life?


I'm honored to be hosting "In Other Words Tuesday".  As the host, I got to choose the quote for us to write about.

I've been reading Daniel Henderson's Transforming Prayer and this is a quote from that book.


So, I'll ask.  How's your prayer life?

  • Do you tend towards issuing those SOS messages in the midst of challenges?  
  • Do you pray each morning and mentally check it off your to-do list?
  • Do you have an ongoing conversation with the Lord throughout your day?
  • Do you realize at the end of the day that your forgot to pray?
I have to be honest.  There have been times when I could identify with each of these scenarios.

I'm in a relationship with my  husband Greg.  We've been married close to 27 years now.  We have time together each morning.  We've become closer this past year than ever before and it's in the midst of ongoing trials and challenges.  That really blows my mind too!

When I come home from work, Greg and I sit down together and talk.  He is interested in how my day went and I'm interested in his day.  We laugh and consider options when there are problems we encounter.  We do this together.  

If I simply lived with Greg but had no dialogue, it wouldn't be much of a relationship.  We would exist and live together but we'd miss out on the closeness that develops when we listen to each other's hearts.

When I consider that the God of All Creation desires to be in a relationship with little old me ...I am amazed. 

As a Christian, Jesus paid the penalty for my sins.  So I can boldly come into the presence of God.  Jesus intercedes for me as my High Priest.  

How amazing and overwhelming is that?

So, do I simply pray and ask for all the requests on my list?  Or do I pour out my heart and take the time to praise Him?  Do I actually listen and then obey Him?

The more time I spend in His Word, the more I grow to love Him.  Because of that love, my heart is changed.  I long for His desires to become my desires.  I let go of my plans and submit to His plans.  After all, He knows my heart better than I ever could know it.  

How about you?  How's your prayer life?  Are your daily activities crowding out time to pray?  Is your ministry getting in the way of spending time with the Lord?  

I encourage you to give us your take on this quote.  Simply write a post on your blog and then come back and link up.  Or simply add a comment below.  I look forward to reading each one of yours.

Blessings and love,





QuickEdit

An Attitude of Gratitude


Another Monday when I get to count my everyday blessings.  There's something about an attitude of gratitude that changes my perspective.  I'm seeing things differently each day.

I've been working in summer camp at our school.  This past week, I've been working the lunch time with the kids.  It gives me the opportunity to help them open their lunches and listen to what they have to say.  It's amazing when you take the time to listen to a child ...they actually open up to you. :)

They also love to act silly, especially when they see Miss Debbie with her camera.

This little girl couldn't help but twirl around to show me how she does this.  Too cute!

#115  Laughing with the children as they try to amuse me and themselves

One of the summer camps is Singing Idols.  On Friday I had the pleasure of watching their encore performance.
This performance was more of a practice so they were still learning the words to their songs.  But next Friday will be the BIG PERFORMANCE.  And I intend to be there with my camera.

Of course, they had a few dance moves to go along with the songs they sang.

#116  Watching the joy of children performing

#117  The parents who told me how thrilled they were to see their former shy child standing in the front and singing

#118  Little Abby fitting right in with the older kids and enjoying herself.  (She was in my Culinary Camp earlier in the summer.)

#119  Watching Karli spontaneously moving in rhythm to the music.  (Her mom told me that she insisted they get to school early so she could practice.)


And then there were the shoes!  Miss Debbie loves to take pictures of the childrens' shoes and ...they know it!
Four year old Briana had to show me her boo-boo with the Cinderella band aid.  Don't you just love those shoes?
And check out these sneakers?  Aren't they the cutest?
And Anoushka had to show me her arm with a brace after an injury.

#120  A big thank you for all who prayed for my mother-in-love Gloria

Gloria continues to recuperate at a local Rehab facility.  She had surgery after breaking her hip five weeks ago.  Today when we visited her, she is able to get out of bed by herself and walk with a walker.  She's not thrilled with all the exercises that are required but she is getting stronger as a result.  And her desire is to return to her own home in a few weeks.

I'm smiling as I'm writing this post so that's a good thing.  It's great to count your blessings so I will continue to do this each Monday as I link up with Ann of A Holy Experience.



Blessings and love,

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