One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus

Remember that song?

One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do
Yesterdays gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time

Been there? I stay there! Personally, I think we all ought to stay in that place. It's humbling. We're a quick fix-it generation. We have access to so many different technologies that makes life so much simpler; however, we shouldn't translate life's functionality over to fixing emotional and spiritual needs. We should always look to God...He is where our help comes from!

I shared a devotional yesterday as I always do on Sunday mornings with my Caregiver staff. It was on Jehovah-Jireh (see Genesis 22:1-19). One of the questions was - "Can you imagine taking the 3 day journey to Mt. Moriah to put an end to that which God had promised?" Wow! That struck me. God stopped the forward progression of the knife in Abraham's hand to keep His promise to Abraham. However, He did not stop the forward progression of Christ's sacrifice so that you and I can have eternal life in Him. What grace!

The next time I feel like I'm on a 3 day journey to Mt. "Whatever", singing "One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus", I hope to remember that God's promises are true. His love never fails. His joy is my strength. Don't worry about tomorrow - it may not be mine. My life is in His hands.

Testimony of Hope

Can I take a moment and share something with you? This is a testimony of hope. I was praying on the way home from church tonight for something that is a great need for me personally right now. It's one of those "in the future" needs, but I'm looking ahead and can't really see how this particular void can be filled so I'm praying! I began to thank the Lord because even though I don't see the answer now I know how faithful He's been in other things. I started laughing out loud as memories of how He's worked things out start rolling in my head. I know the Lord will take care of this need and look forward to how He is going to work it out.

Acts 2:25-28 says, "I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence."

I'm back!

Florida was WONDERFUL! It's just what Lynelle and I needed...a time of refreshing and a time to just be two silly girls in a town not our own. ;-)


We went to a Lifeway Kids Conference. I discovered something about myself. I could come up with a 2 column list of things I've done for other people in a 7 day period, but only 1 thing I had done for myself. I question whether getting a haircut is actually for me or for the people who have to look at me! LOL I hate getting haircuts. I'm not a girly-girl, so to pamper myself is not like me. I think I have to find something I like doing. How does one go about doing that? ;-) Sad.


I loved getting to see all my guys when we got back. I love their affection. Can you imagine how much more God must love our affection when we "come back to Him"?

They are precious to me. They love me when I'm pretty sure I'm unloveable. I'm blessed. Thank You, Lord, for giving me 3 gifts hand-picked by You.

Silly moment for the day...I picked up Sonic for dinner...I know, I know...anyway...I was in the kitchen where the boys were eating and they both had french fries sticking out of their mouths saying "I'm an otter" or "I'm a walrus". Okay, you expect that. I then walk in to the living room where Randy is eating and he has a tater tot sticking out of his mouth trying to be silly. Boys! Gotta love 'em.

Boys Are Different!

I left home on Sunday for a Children's Pastor Conference in Florida leaving my family behind. This is very hard on me! I miss them so much, yet I know this is the right thing for me. It's hard because I feel like I already spend so much time away from them even when I'm in the same city because of church related things.

Monday was the beginning of the conference and I went to an early session called "Nurturing Boys". It was WONDERFUL! The speaker was David Thomas and he's written a few books and has another one coming out that I will definitely buy. He went through the first 4 of 5 stages of the biology of boys. Interestingly, as he was going through Stage 1 (ages 2-4) I leaned over to Lynelle and asked "how is this different from where grown men are now?" No names were mentioned so as to protect the guilty. ;-)

Bottom line...boys are differnt than girls...duh...but it's a wonderful, God-ordained difference. The last section of the notes say "The Mystery of Boys: What They Want". Ladies, ready? Want to know what the boys in your life want? The want to be understood, enjoyed, mentored and (my favorite) celebrated. He said "boys are hungry for voices around them to see their character and call it out". So, as you read this, look around you and see what boys in your life are in "want".

Remember the poem "What Are Little Boys"?

"What are little boys made of?"
Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails.
That's what little boys are made of !

"What are little girls made of?"
Sugar and spice and all things nice.
That's what little girls are made of!

One of the key things that stuck out was the comparison between boys and girls. My encouragement to you is...don't do that! It's not fair. I think the poem is quite sweet as it relates to boys. Think of it...boys are more apt to light up a snail with a fire cracker and pull on a puppy dog tail than to get anywhere near sugar, spice or anything nice...unless it's already baked and ready to eat with a glass of milk! They are curious by God's design. Be thankful for that!

The Faith of a Small Child

My husband, Randy, and I both grew up with brothers who drummed. You can't really understand the impact of that statement unless you have/had a drummer in the family.

This is the story of our youngest son, Ryan, and his journey to drumming. It began about a month ago when Ryan seemed to become obsessed with asking for drums. Knowing what this meant for the family, Randy and I were reluctant to make any promises. However, I felt impressed one day during a conversation with Ryan to encourage him to ask God. I quoted scripture about asking anything in His name and He will do it (John 14:14); ask and you will receive (John 16:24).

Well, ask he did. He began writing journal entries at school and drawing pictures of himself at a drumset. One morning he woke up very upset because he said, "I asked Jesus for drums last night and they're not here." That's what we call "the faith of a small child".

That same week a friend approached me in the school/church parking lot and asked me if I knew anyone who would be interested in a junior drumset. They had bought it for their son in May and it was too small for him. I very calmly began asking questions and then told her that Ryan had been asking God for a drumset. She proceeded to tell me that she had Ryan in mind when they decided to sell the set. A few days later she called to let me know that she and her husband decided to GIVE the set to Ryan. God heard Ryan's prayer and answered it, but get this...remember that the set was bought in May and they hadn't made the decision to get rid of it until just recently....right about the time Ryan's heart was ready to ask for it.

Now, that's a great story! Right? It's not over! God answers prayers in a BIG way...fully and completely. Ryan's favorite color is black. The set is black. Ryan also asked for a book so that he could learn how to play. This family threw in a VIDEO for him to have so that he can learn to play. It also comes with a stool and sticks. He's all set and ready to play. He's even trying to figure out how to get them to church!

He began playing soon after we had it set up in his room. I was in another room helping my other son with homework. Ryan came out several times to ask if we could hear him. Of course, we all could. ;-) However, there was one time he came out, grinning ear to ear. I heard him singing a song as he was playing. I couldn't understand the words, but God knows what he was singing. He came out and said in a half-giggle voice "I am playing for the Lord." You can't imagine how it felt to hear that.

If you think God doesn't care or hear you when you pray, be encouraged. We give these testimonies so that you can be edified and God is glorified. It's all for Him!

Do Something Visible

I have a friend, Phil Cross, who is a gifted, Dove Award-winning song writer and singer. He wrote a song that one of my "faves", Mitchel Jon, sings and I sooo love it. It's called "Something Visible". You just won't be able to get it out of your head...more importantly, out of your spirit. It's a profession type of song that says "I will do something visible for the Invisible One". It's one of those songs that you just don't dare sing if you don't mean it. I can't hear or sing it without thinking, "okay, what am I doing? am I running away from those who need me? am I loving my neighbor as I should?"


Here's the challenge for me and for you if you will accept. First, realize who you serve. Second, thank Him for all you have and for saving you. Third, decide what visible thing you're going to do for the Invisible One. The last part of the song says "somebody's watching; somebody's looking at you; little eyes are watching everything you do; the world is watching you and me; you gotta think about what they see." That's your kids, grandkids, neighbor, fellow pew pal, co-worker, employee, the "that" person in your life, etc. Sobering thought, isn't it?

If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and would like to, it's very simple. I know, you would think that God who created this world and everything in it that it would be complicated, but it's not. See, He loves You and when someone loves a person they make themselves very accessible. You do that for the people you love, right? So does He! Find a Bible or go to www.biblegateway.com and look up these verses - John 1:1; Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10 and John 3:16.

Simply pray this prayer..."God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!"

If you've prayed that prayer for the first time and are not involved in a local church, I encourage you to find a Bible believing church in your area and let the pastor know of your decision. Welcome to the family!

I have music players from Phil and Mitchel on this blog. I hope you will listen. It may or may not be your "thing/style", but stop a minute and listen to the words. You will be blessed. Phil is one of my favorite Psalmists and my very own "Scarecrow". That's for you, Phil. ;-)

Love to all!
Stephanie

Tests and Homework and Book Reports, OH MY!

I'm learning what it must have been like for my parent's as they trudged through homework, dance, band, baseball, etc. with three kids. I only have 2, so I have a real appreciation for what it must have been like for 2 full time working parents to raise 3 full time kids! LOL

Today is Friday, my day "off" from church and as I'm trying to build this new site I get a phone call from my husband. My son has left one of his study guides at home. So, what do I do? I sit on the phone with him for the next several minutes reviewing for one of his tests today. While this is something that shouldn't have happened (I told him 3 times to make sure he had everything in his backpack...can I get a witness?), I was glad to help him with it. Cell phones - a luxury my parents didn't have in their "kids lane".

I'm thankful for this time. It's trying, yes. It's busier than I'd like, yes. Would I trade it? No.