Here's one more thing I want to remember

Do you ever have those times where God just seems to be speaking in themes all around you? Boy, oh boy, I never get tired of Him doing this! Each time is just as thrilling as the first.

Over the last few weeks I've been pretty honest that I have had a difficult time praising God, I think I even said that I felt like I was making the decision to "praise or pout" every minute of the day!

Throughout this time, I continued to read through the Psalms. Some days I felt really strong, others I didn't...but I kept reading.

During the toughest days of this "funk", I was preparing to lead Bible Study with Freedom's Call, I had to laugh...the week I was assigned to lead was on artists and their emotions, keeping a biblical perspective and keeping our emotions properly positioned. One thing the author says over and over is that artists should read something from the Psalms every day. Hmmmmmmmmm, there He is encouraging me to keep doing what I was doing.

THEN...our Siesta Momma Beth's current series on Life Today is on...you guessed it "What to do when you don't know what to do", and you know what that is? PRAISE! She dove into a passage in 2 Chronicles that has just totally energized and encouraged me. (If you missed this, go to the Life Today website and I believe they have archives of past series you can watch on line.) It was so timely that the first week, I had to pause the teaching to compose myself. I was overwhelmed that God would allow this series to be airing just when I needed it!

This series is so rich in truth, but there was one quote that I can't stop thinking about and it is this:

We are going to most believe what we most rehearse.

So I'll ask you this morning the same thing God asked me.."What are you rehearsing? Is it praise?"

As hard as it is to open your mouth and let praise come out...it sure does make a difference!

Psalm 8:2 says that "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise, because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."

Making the choice to praise silences my enemy. Praising God causes Him to stand up, and when He stands up...that sly little enemy runs away scared.

Today, let's open our mouths and praise God and just see what happens. :)

I just want to remember

I just want to remember what happened in Hobby Lobby today.

I was there alone which gave me the chance to take my time and go up and down each aisle. If I had some serious fun money, I could have redecorated each room in our house. There are some serious markdowns going on right now. Hobby Lobby is ministry to me. :) They have such beautiful things and I never fail to see the Word all over the place.

After drooling over iron crosses and peacock feathers...I made my way to check out. My one purchase was a package of invitations for Chloe's upcoming birthday party. This is where God surprised me.

There was one lady in front of me. She handed the cashier a coupon only to be told she couldn't use it on her purchases because everything she bought was on sale. She turned around and asked me if what I was purchasing was on sale. I told her no and she handed me her coupon. It was for 25% off my item.

I thought that was so cool. It may seem like a little thing, but God knows that I'm doing my best to keep every penny accounted for. Today He gave me a $5 pack of invitations for less than $3. Just one more way He is reminding me that He hears and cares about each part of our life.

One more thing, remember that "thing" that consumed my heart and mind over the last few weeks? Well...God took care of that too. I still don't have the okay to share details, but I can tell you that God came through. BIG TIME.

It's seeing Him in what we view as little things that build and strengthen my faith.

Healer

There are several things, people and circumstances in my personal life right now that this song ministers to. I couldn't wait until Saturday to share!

There is nothing too hard for my God. Nothing.

There is no illness He can't heal.

There is no addiction He can't break.

He can restore what is broken. Family, dreams, your heart...He can put the pieces back together.

Go on and let Him have his way with you...He's safe.

He tells us He is our Healer. I believe Him.

Sunday afternoon ramblings.

It's Sunday afternoon and Chad is watching the final part of the Tour de France. There is 1.7 miles to go. (We recorded it while we were at church.) OH MY GOSH...one rider just lost his seat!!! I'm serious, there is a pole with NO SEAT. Oh I hope he realizes and doesn't sit down too fast!! YIKES...

This has been one wonderful weekend. Friday night we had a date night, sort of.
We got together with the other Freedom's Call team members and their husbands up on the lake. We took out one couple's boat and enjoyed a pre-dinner ride around Lake Lanier. Dinner was at Bullfrogs and was wonderful. After dinner, we found a nice little spot and swam, visited, and watched the sunset. Let me tell you...God put on a show for us. It was SO beautiful. As we headed back to the dock, I have to admit I was a little homesick for TN. I REALLY miss being able to sit on my deck or stand in my house and see the water and the mountains.

Saturday was awesome. We had a great sharing time and then took care of some business. I love these girls and can't wait to serve in a retreat setting with them.

Church this morning was incredible. Our music intern from Liberty led worship and it was awesome. I was so proud of him, he was obviously focused on God and if he was nervous it didn't show at all.

As Kelly was leading this morning, I thought of something our former worship pastor always said to me.."You need to be looking ahead, who is going to come behind you and take your spot...find that person and encourage them. Train them and do whatever it takes to equip them." He along with a couple of other music pastors did that with me and I'm so thankful they did. I saw that "live and in person" this morning as Kelly led, an older high school student played keyboards, another high school girl was playing guitar...it just made my heart full to be led to the throne room by the next generation. And the throne room is where they took us.

My man and I were sitting together this morning (normally I'm in choir but we have July off) and for the first time I felt O.L.D. As Kelly played piano and sang a special during the offering Chad leans over and says..."This takes me back to SonPower, 1989 or 1990 in Orlando, Fl. David Meece was in concert. Kelly sort of sounds like David Meece to me." GOOD GRIEF. Was this kid even born in 1989? Thank you Chad for reminding me that I am not 21 anymore. :)

(SonPower was part of our youth choir mission trip that year. We spent the mornings learning new music with Denny Dawson and in Bible Study with Jay Strak (sp?) and the afternoons our choir was singing in prisons, hospitals and children's homes. In the evenings the SonPower organizers had a few incredible concerts for us...NewSong, David Meece, Truth...it was a great week. We were in high school, both dating other people and getting on each other's nerves. In fact...this was the trip that Chad and my then boyfriend knocked on our hotel room door not long after we checked in. When I opened the door, their hands were on fire. It was the old spray your hand with hairspray and set it on fire trick...good times I tell you good time. I also came home from this trip and told my girlfriends, and I quote myself "The girl who marries Chad P. is crazy." I eat those words every day.)

Okay...enough of my afternoon ramblings...I'm really exhausted so I'm off to take a short nap.

See you Monday with a "real" post!

One more thing...LESS THAN A MONTH TO SIESTA FIESTA!!!!

Then Sings My Soul

Okay girls..this is an old song, but it has been on my mind all week long. Live in your freedom this week!

I'm off to spend a day in the Word with the Freedom's Call ladies. I can't wait to check in on you later this evening and Sunday afternoon!!

Turn it up and sing along, I know you probably know it!

You Won't Believe This One.

Amy at Signs Miracles and Wonders has passed on this award to me! It originated at Mel's World. Go check Mel out she is pretty awesome!

I want to thank Amy but at the same time say "DO WHAT?!!" Have you got the right blogger? :) Okay, so I'm supposed to pass this one to a few bloggers who I think are just brilliant!

Bethanne at Waiting for the Shout. Her blog name alone is brilliant, but Bethanne always makes me think!

Jackie at All Things Are Possible. This is one young woman who loves her Jesus and is pouring her life into other young ladies.

Fran at Blessed By Him. Fran is one of my roommies for Siesta Fiesta. She is such an encourager, I can't wait to hug her neck!!

JennyHope is another roomie for the Fiesta! This young lady is precious to me! She has the cutest little girl that already has a passion for her BIBLE STUDY!! I love that. :)

Darla at Overcomer. Darla is so precious to me. She is crazy about our Jesus and it shows in every post! Each time I read her blog, I come away thinking about what I've just read, and usually go back a second time to read it again!

Lindsay at TwinsX2. Girls...she has two sets of twins, works full time and finds time to blog. That is brilliant in and of itself. BUT, this girl is seeking to honor God with every step and I know that she could use your bloggity love today...


Also I want to tell you about the newest member of our extended family! I opened up my e-mail this morning to find a birth announcement! Praise the Lord Erin and Jared are holding their precious little boy named Lane this morning!! He was born Thursday evening. We are so thankful for a healthy delivery, baby and mom! (I have not posted a picture because I haven't asked permission to and didn't want to throw a picture up for all the world, well...all 5 of my readers, to see without the OK from Lane's mommy and daddy.)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

This is my 300th post!

300 journal entries.

300 times I've shared a piece of my heart. Wow.

I wish I had some extra special thing planned, but honestly I didn't notice that this milestone was coming up!

At 1:15 this morning, I was still wide awake. I was very uncomfortable so I got up, took some Tylenol and snuggled on the couch. It wasn't long until the headache began to go away, but the anxious heart was heavier than ever.

I did the first thing that came to mind and grabbed my journal and Bible. I found myself in several passages all timely and it wasn't long until my anxious heart was beating at a normal healthy rate! Thank you Jesus.

I read a Psalm a day and since it was a new day, I read Psalm 24 and was reminded that my God is is the King of Glory! There is comfort in acknowledging that God is in control. Once again, if I will just keep my hands off I will see Him move in ways I can't imagine. I needed to praise, I needed to change my perspective before that anxious heart took over.

Psalm 30 was the next place I parked. Can I share a few verses that ministered to my heart?

Verses 1-2

"I will exalt you O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depth, and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me."

I see this over and over in my life. Physically and emotionally God has healed me. He has kept His word in this area and as I started to think back on those times, my anxious heavy heart began to take a turn. The struggle to believe He will provide in this one area began to change. I read on to find

Verses 11-12

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."

I then went on over to Psalm 91 and that entire Psalm just settled me down.

Verses 1 and 2 say

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust'."

After that the song "Made Me Glad" began to run through my head and heart.

But these next verses are what really allowed me to rest was:

Verses 14-16

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, " I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life, will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

This morning as I share my heart I want you to know that there really is power in praise. Praise changes your attitude, your outlook and the Word says in Ecclesiastes 8:1,that when the Word settles into someone who is angry or sad, it can cause their face to beam! (NASB) It changes our countenance!

Just like yesterday, God knows in detail each part of this area of need. He knows it better than I do!! For today, I resolve that I will not worry, I will not mentally dwell on what if's, but I will praise. I will praise Him for the past, I will praise Him for today.

And one day soon, I will praise Him here for how He moved in this situation.