The Next Chapter - January 31, 2013

The Next Chapter.

Up early today....  God gave me the opportunity to share his word and encourage others. Jesus calling talks of Jesus being the strength and the shield.  It reminded me to put on the armor of God, and no sooner did I consciously put it on........ Merry didn't want to go to morning program, she screamed, yelled and said very mean words to me and Jack.  I did not want Jack to be late so I left her home while I drove Jack.  I got a text message moments later asking me to come back for her.....to late.  She still was not ready when I returned, but keeping calm I told her the bus was coming, and she needed to be on it.  She was.  Calm and collected.  Amen.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. ~ Psalm 28:7

"Carry Me To The Cross" - Kutless

When the path is daunting
And every step exhausting
I'm not alone
I'm not alone, no, no
I feel you draw me closer
All these burdens on my shoulder
I'm not alone, I'm not alone
You pull me me from this place

Hallelujah
You carry me every day
You carry me all all the way
Hallelujah
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross

How your love has moved me, yeah
To the foot of all your glory
I'm not alone, I'm not alone
I'm not alone

Hallelujah
You carry me every day
You carry me all all the way
Hallelujah
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross

All of these cities you have built
And every cathedral you have filled
To all of creation you gave life with your hands
And with those hands you comfort me
You lift me up from my knees
And carry me
You carry me

Hallelujah
You carry me every day
You carry me all all the way
Hallelujah
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross
The cross
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross

The Next Chapter - January 29, 2013

The Next Chapter ~

Oh Lord, help me....  I am tying a knot and hanging on for dear life.....  Merry is out of control, and I am going to lose my mind.  Tonight after a great after school time, I thought it would be fun to have ice cream for dinner.  Merry gets a tummy ache from ice cream so I gave her a lactaid pill.  Everything is going great, until a Friendly employee came over to make Merry and Jack balloon animals.  Merry asked for an elephant, and he made her and elephant.  Jack asked for an octopus and he made him an octopus... both were great and free!  That is when the smiles turned to envy and jealousy.  Merry felt Jack's octopus was better and bigger than her elephant, and she copped an attitude with a capitol A.  I noticed an tried to make light of it, and she was off and running, screaming at me in the parking lot "freakin swearing" to the point that it was unsafe while I was driving, at a red light she actually tried to rip the phone from my ear.  I am so utterly disappointed with my daughter, and I fear for Jack and he retaliation.  I cannot even look at her.  I tried to stay as calm as possible, but she is so very talented at pushing my buttons.  I gave her an anti-anxiety pill, and put her to bed.  I am hoping she falls asleep.

So now here I am an hour later, and she is calm. And lying in bed.  I am processing and praying for solutions.  I know she is processing and trying to figure out her triggers.  I am at a loss when she feels this way, and come to find out she has a math test this week, and a girl at school has been being mean.... these are all really good reasons for anxiety, but no matter why, the behavior is unacceptable and requires consequences.   I am praying for guidance, and intervention from the holy spirit.

Wow, I am definitely not up for mother of the year.  I did hold my tongue and my temper, and I hugged and prayed with her.

“The Lord is my strength and my defense, he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him. ~ Exodus 15:2

Blessed Assurance - Third Day Live Version.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

The Next Chapter - January 24, 2013

The Next Chapter ~

I start this day like any other day, not wanting to get up and get moving.....  in is cold and I want to stay in bed.  I am reminded of this song today by Plumb.  The first verse and chorus are powerful, and I think about how many times I ask for help each day, some days more than others.
Well, everybody's got a story to tell And everybody's got a wound to be healed I want to believe there's beauty here. 'Cause oh, I get so tired of holding on I can't let go, I can't move on I want to believe there's meaning here How many times have you heard me cry out "God please take this"? How many times have  you given me strength to Just keep breathing? Oh I need you God, I need you now.....

Prayers for my step dad Jack as he will be undergoing by pass surgery tomorrow.  Prayers for my mom as she sits and waits.....  continued clarity in my path, while I love the job(and the potential is great), the funds are tight and going to get tighter.....


"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:6-7)



"Need You Now (How Many Times)"

Well, everybody's got a story to tell
And everybody's got a wound to be healed
I want to believe there's beauty here
'Cause oh, I get so tired of holding on
I can't let go, I can't move on
I want to believe there's meaning here

How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

Standing on a road I didn't plan
Wondering how I got to where I am
I'm trying to hear that still small voice
I'm trying to hear above the noise

How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

Though I walk,
Though I walk through the shadows
And I, I am so afraid
Please stay, please stay right beside me
With every single step I take

How many times have you heard me cry out?
And how many times have you given me strength?

How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

I need you now
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.
I need you now
I need you now

The Next Chapter - January 17, 2013

The Next Chapter


"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

I saw this verse in a devotional today, and I admit it is not a book of the bible I know at all. And I thumbed through my bible a few times before I resorted to the table of contents....  The whole book is 3 verses and less than 3 pages...  I read it and re-read it.  I again realize the importance of reading the whole verse when directed to scripture through a devotional.  It is hard to get the full impact of a bible verse without reading the before and after.  Today Merry was home from school sick, and I had to leave her while I worked.  I had a neighbor check on her a few times, and she and I were texting most of the day.  But  I was comforted in the knowledge she was not all alone.  Once I got home, and continued with our day, and it became bedtime, she had a major meltdown, screaming at the top of her lungs!  I went right in, and at first I got caught up, and yelled back, but then God intervened and I said a prayer, and just hugged her.  I hugged and hugged and hugged while she squirmed.  I let go when she calmed down.  I asked her to stay calm while I said goodnight to Jack and I would be back.  When I went back in, I asked what it was that set her off. I told her if she needs a hug or attention to ask for it.  I promise to try and give her what she needs.  Matthew 11:28 reminds us that Jesus is here for us, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  This was my verse the other day....... how soon we forget.  I am grateful for this opportunity to write and share my walk, I am blessed with my circle of friends and family.

Even If - Kutless

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come

Lord we know Your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come

You’re still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing your praise

Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come

You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn't come
Even if the healing doesn't come

The Next Chapter ~ January 13, 2013

The Next Chapter -

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Scripture directs us in every level of our lives, happiest, pain, struggles, when we are wear we find strength.  When we lift our prayers and praise he is there for us.  I love when I look back and tell a story of my past and it sounds unbelievable, but yet I live it and managed it at the time.  Living in the day, or sometimes a moment we can. God meets us where we are.  Sometimes two steps forward one step back, he is there.

I am reminded of a story from my past I told the other day, when I did not realize my situation was "toxic" and when I spoke of it out loud it seemed unbelievable and in hind sight, I cannot believe it did not break me.  I can only give praise to God for helping me hold it together.  When we feel worn out and ask for help, he sends it....we need to be open to what ever it may be.  God's help comes in so many different packages.  I need to remember to keep my eyes open.

Worn - Tenth Avenue North

I'm tired
I'm worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing

I've made mistakes
I've let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn

I know I need
To lift my eyes up
But I'm too week
Life just won't let up
And I know that You can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn

And my prayers are wearing thin
I'm worn even before the day begins
I'm worn I've lost my will to fight
I'm worn so heaven so come and fluid my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Yes all that's dead inside will be reborn
Though I'm worn
Yeah I'm worn

The Next Chapter - January 11, 2013

The Next Chapter


Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. —1 John 1:3

I am thinking about friendship today. I love that I have many friends from every part of my life, childhood, grade school, middle school, high school, work, church, family, friends of friends.... I am truly blessed and I know people pass in and out of my life. The season of friendship is at his hand. I sometimes look back to a particular season, and wonder why I may not see or speak with this person any longer, but remembering God's got his hand on me, and in every relationship, I am grateful for my time with that person, and welcome another season of time with them.  



Jenifer Knapp
Sing Out In Joy

If I run around like
Joy in the sunlit rain
Would You
Would You laugh with me?
What do I do to make You laugh?
What do I do to make You smile?
Oh, if only for a little while

-Chorus-
Sing out in joy
Let the silent seas
Let the seas roar!
Sing out in joy
Hold your breath no more
For the Savior

If I split the clouds
Riven with trumpet loud
Would You
Would You dance with me?
What do I do to make you cry?
What do I do to make you shout?
Oh, if only for a little while

(Chorus)

I would walk across the fire and cinders!
Treasure every moment I could remember!
Yeah! Yeah!
Yeah! Yeah!
Yeah, yeah, yeah...

If a path was found in
The middle of the Red, Red Sea
Would You
Could You walk across with me?

(Chorus)

The Next Chapter ~ January 5, 2013

The Next Chapter

This year is already shown its ups and downs.  Up - 5 months without drinking.  Down - my daughter was exposed to some YouTube stuff I wish she didn't see, creating a long long night while we processed and prayed together.  It doesn't really matter what she saw, it was a lesson.  Right or wrong other parents parent differently than I do, and my rules are not their rules.  And vice versa.    We cannot shelter our kids from this world forever, but we would like to.  After CT and 911 the horrors of reality are all to real...
This morning I am grateful for my faith, and the life lesson I taught my daughter last night was to give it to God and pray in every situation.  Today I pray for my friends as they mourn a loss, and for Jamie pursuing her dreams with her book, and for many many others, I often text "thinking of you" ~ this is code for God put you on my heart and I am praying for you........


Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


Prayer For A Friend - Casting Crowns

Lord, I lift my friend to You, I've done all that I know to do
I lift my friend to You
Complicated circumstances have clouded his view
Lord, I lift my friend up to You

I fear that I won't have the words that he needs to hear
I pray for Your wisdom, oh God, and a heart that's sincere
Lord, I lift my friend up to You

Lord, I lift my friend to You
My best friend in the world, I know he means much more to You
I want so much to help him, but this is something he has to do
And Lord, I lift my friend up to You

'cause there's a way that seems so right to him
But You know where that leads
He's becoming a puppet of the world, too blind to see the strings
Lord, I lift my friend up to You
My friend up to You

Lord, I lift my friend to You, I've done all that I know to do
I lift my friend to You

The Next Chapter - January 2, 2013

The Next Chapter ~

Welcome to 2013.  I start a new job today!  I am excited.  The hours work for the kids, and it has the potential of being a great career move.  My focus for prayer today continues to be Jeremiah 29:11-13 his plans include a plan for me to prosper, and hope for a future.It is it so fitting when embarking on a new adventure.  He has plans for me.  Prayers today for all of my friends embarking on new adventures, diets, exercise, a new career, or just looking for the next best thing.  It is in all of us, Jesus is in all of us.  He is our light, and we gotta let the light shine.  Dig deep, take a deep breathe and embrace the day!

Jeremiah 29-11:13
For I know the plans, I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Kari Jobe - We Are

Every secret, every shame
Every fear, every pain
Live inside the dark
But that's not who we are
We are children of the day

So wake up sleeper, lift your head
We were meant for more than this
Fight the shadows conquer death
Make the most of the time we have left

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
Let the light shine, let the light shine

We are called to the spread the news
Tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His Name
So let it all break through

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine