God's Grace is More than Sufficient

This is a tragic story about a boy who just died on Friday.  Although, it is so sad, the family's faith in God, and trusting in His perfect plan is such a huge testimony to the glory of our Savior!!
I would highly encourage you to read this article and then go to the mom's blog (www.ourcrazyfarm.blogspot.com) and read more of the story/testimony.  Also, please pray for this family as God lays them on your heart.

 

His Mercies are New Every Day

 Thank you for sharing this walk with us! Know that God's plans and God's grace are greater than ours. We have been rejoicing since Friday for the good work that God has done! We have prayed for over 12 years for Trent to go to heaven one day and to be used by God in a mighty way~ and God has honored that. Who are we to complain when and how?? Trent died in a skiing accident with his youth group in Duluth, MN. In God's sovereignty he went just the way he would have wanted to go, in the woods, instantly. God's mercies have been many and amazing! We are praising him for them! Feel free to share the photo and our message on facebook (I understand it is already on there) or your blog as we are trusting God to use this for salvation for many and long for the real story of God's glory to be known through it. I love you all and will share more soon. Your words of encouragement mean so much to me, and your prayers are felt immensely. Terri

God is good.

He Fights for You

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us that with him.  With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and fight our battles."  

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Remember Who is on your side. Always remember,  HE fights for you.  A wise man once said, "We suffer from a smallish view of God."  Put away all your ideas about who God is, and how big you think He is.....let His Word show you.....let His spirit reveal to you the awesomeness of our great God!

"The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring,
Mightier than the thunder of many waters,

mightier than the waves of the sea, 

the LORD on high is mighty!" 
Psalm 93:3-4

No matter what you're going through, no matter how big the waves, how dark the trials or how loud the enemy's lies, God is mightier then they, and He always has the victory! Always.

My True Valentine

I read this on a friend's blog this morning, and was really blessed and encouraged by this article.  I will let it speak for itself. 
....

I prayed for a man committed to God.

Jesus smiled, “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

I prayed for a man that would be a spiritual leader.

Jesus unashamedly declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

I prayed for a man of hight standards and integrity.

Others testified, “He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” I Peter 2:22
I prayed for a man of the Word.

Jesus opened up His arms with love as He whispered, “I am the living Word, and I came to live with you.” John 1:14

I prayed for a man that knew how to be a servant.

Then I heard others whisper with amazement, “Jesus made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7

I prayed for a man that was full of spiritual life.

He smiled again, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

I prayed for a man of faith and prayer.

Then I watched with amazement as He went out and spend all night in prayer...for me! Luke 6:12

I prayed for a man that would provide for my needs.

He not only fed the five thousand long ago, He also feeds me today! Mark 6:41, Philippians 4:19

I prayed for a man that would be the head of the home and a leader. Someone I could look up to and respect intellectually and spiritually.

Then I realized that not only had Jesus been knocking on my door begging to be allowed to be the head of my home, but He was so far ahead of me intellectually, I would have all eternity to learn from Him. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

I prayed for a man of steel and velvet...someone that could be strong but also tender at the same time.

Then I remembered Jesus’ words as the mails were driven into His hands, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24 And how, when dying upon the cross, some of His last thoughts were to make sure His mother would be cared for. John 19:26 I also remembered how that when even a little sparrow fell, He noticed and cared. Matthew 10:29

I prayed for a man that knew how to love others...even the unpleasant outcasts.

Jesus replied, “In that while you were all yet sinners [the lowest outcast], I died for you.” Romans 5:8

I prayed for a man that would be the head of the home and a leader. Someone I could look up to and respect intellectually and spiritually.

Then I realized that not only had Jesus been knocking on my door begging to be allowed to be the head of my home, but He was so far ahead of me intellectually, I would have all eternity to learn from Him. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

I prayed for someone that I could share my deepest thoughts and dreams with, someone who would walk with me through joys and through sorrows. Someone that would not only hold my hand, but would hold my heart. Someone that I could stand behind, love, respect and serve with all my heart.

I looked up in awe as He not only began to walk beside me and hold my hand (Isaiah 41), but also to share with me the hidden riches and secrets of eternity...heart companionship and beauty that I had never had with another. (Isaiah 45:3, Psalm 34:8) And I just knew that He was someone I could not only love, but stand behind and serve for the rest of my life!

I prayed for someone that would help me walk closer to God.

And the more I got to know him, the closer I drew to God. Psalm 23, Matthew 6:33

I know this may be frivolous God and it’s a small thing, but could you also send me someone romantic,” I had prayed. “Someone that will love me so much, that he’ll want me and only me! That he’ll be willing to do whatever it takes to win me...even bring me chocolate?”

Jesus said nothing as He lay down His heavenly honor to come to earth to win me.
Although I doubted His love and resisted His advances at first, He slowly, sweetly, tenderly won my heart and love. Then He led me to His great banqueting house, and the banner He put over me was LOVE. (Song of Sol. 2:4) “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good” He tenderly whispered. (Ps. 34:8) And as He looked deep into my heart, I knew that nothing would separate us... (Romans 8:35-39) for He had won my heart forever!!

Last, but not least, I prayed for a man that would not be afraid of pain or trails.

Then it was that I realized it was He, Jesus, that was carrying my cross and making the ultimate sacrifice of love...for not just anyone, but for me! (Matthew 16:24, Hebrews 2:9) Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stood in awe. And my heart melted...

Let us say with Asaph the Psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”

Happy Valentines Day!

love

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8

*photocredit

What Does Love Mean?

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4-8 year olds.  The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.  See what you think:

"When my grandma got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore so my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.  You know that you name is sage in their mouth."

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on cologne and they go out and smell each other."

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay."  (My mom does that!)

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

"If you want to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."

"There are two kinds of love, our love and God's love.  But God makes both kinds of them."

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."

"During my piano recital I was on stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.  He was the only one doing that.  I wasn't scared anymore."

"My mommy loves me more than anybody.  You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt."

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little starts come out of your eyes."

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it.  But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.
People forget."

And...what love means to my dad.....

"Love is letting your six year old play with your iPod after he's been eating peanut butter."   :P

Happy Valentines Day! :D

Charlieism of the Week

At the dinner table:

"Dear God,

thank you for this food. Help it to be good; and help all the people in the world to obey You.
Amen." 

My Life Goals??

Ahha! We have come to Step 13 on this 300 day journey! (Not that there's anything really significant about Step 13, except, that I have made it this far!) *smiles*
Now, getting down to business.....why I am writing today: 

Step 13) What are Your Life Goals?

OK, this is somewhat complicated, but not really.  I have pondered that recently, "What are my life goals?!"  And, about a month ago, someone asked me what was on my "Bucket List" (a list of things you want to do before you die.)  I thought......and thought some more......but, there was no huge thing pressing on my mind.
I mean, there is stuff that I want to do, but goals exactly, I don't know.  The one and only thing that I can think of is this:

My Life Goal
To love the Lord with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my strength, and to bring glory to His name in every aspect of my life.  

My "Bucket" List
(not in any specific order)

1) To go abroad - Ireland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Italy, Haiti, and other places too.
2) Work in an orphanage ( I love little kiddos!)
3) Learn how to run a kitchen (cook) (I'm working on it!)
4) Get married and have my own family (IF that's God's plan for me)
5) Be a part of leading someone to the Lord.
6) Shoot a HUGE buck
7) Own an SLR camera (I want that one REALLY bad!)
8) Own a nice-sounding, cool mandolin
9) Watch the five-hour-long "Pride and Prejudice"

So, these aren't all the things I want to do; they're just the things I can think of right now. =)
Maybe if I think of more I will add to the list.  (I would love it if each of you made your own list and then put your link in the "comments" part.) I want to see your life goals, too!
I hope you have a cozy, warm, fantabulous Thursday night!

Hugs,
bailey =)