Hearing God's voice

The chapter we are studying in

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God

 is

Hearing God's Voice...

God wants us to live in expectation of hearing from Him.

Thursday I saw this on a facebook status:

If quantity is an indication, Jesus takes our fear seriously. Number 1 statement he made repeatedly: "Don't be afraid!" -Max Lucado

That same day I read from What Happens When Women Say Yes to God:

"Do not fear.  Remember how I faced the devil in the wilderness, and how I conquered with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. You too have your quick answer for every fear that evil may present...an answer of faith and confidence in Me. Where possible say it aloud. the spoken word has power. Look on ever fear not as a weakness on your part due to illness or worry, but as a very real temptation to be attacked and overthrown.  Does the way seem a stony one? Not one stone can impede your progress. courage. Face the future, but face it only with a brave and happy heart. do not seek to see it.  You are robbing Faith of her sublime sweetness if you do this. Just know that all is well and that Faith, not seeing but believing, is what will bear you to safety over the stormy waters."
~~A.J. Russell

I had not even realized that I what I had been feeling over some things was fear. But as God spoke to my heart these two times it became clear that I was hearing Him say I was living in fear. I am to stop living in fear and to live trusting Him.  I want to live this way... with faith and confidence in Him.

God wants all of us to live expecting to hear from Him. I love that He spoke to me about something I really had no idea I was living in. I say yes to living in faith instead of fear! 

Today my sister, a missionary in Hoduras, heard God while she was doing her laundry. Read her post here Precious in His Sight  You will be blessed!

Listen in expectation of hearing God speak.  It can change your life!

Say yes...

 

Ladies Bible study has started!!! Lisa TerKeurst says, "Do you want to experience life in extraordinary ways? Then see what happens when you say yes to God! Embrace simple obedience and watch it transform your life into a remarkable journey.  Say yes and discover the blessings God has planned for you." As I was encouraging the ladies at the first class I told them we would all have stories to share of times that we said Yes to God and how our lives would be changed through this. I left thinking that I sure hoped I would have some stories but could not imagine what they might be.

The title of the first chapter is A Soul That Longs for More...Whatever God Says Do, Do It!

This morning on the way to church God brought a young man's name to my mind. This young man has been looking for a job for some time. I knew I was to pray for him. As I prayed I thought I wished I had brought some food to give him.  Immediately I heard the Lord speak to my heart. This was our conversation:

God: Give him $20

Me: Lord I really don't have an extra $20 to give.

God: Give him $20.

Me: I have enough money to pay the bill I owe.

God: Give him $20.  You will have enough left.

Me: I don't think he will even be there this morning.

God: Give him $20.

Me: Ok, if I see him I will give him $20. (totally doubted that I would see him)

I walked into church and began talking to a friend. Up walked the young man I had been praying for. My friend was called away and I was left standing with him. I knew what to do. I reached in my purse and pulled out $20. (rarely do I have cash). As I handed it to him I told him the Lord told me I was to give it to him. I also told him that God loved him and cared about his situation and that I would continue to pray for him to find a job. I know he was blessed but I was too. Hearing God and doing what He said this morning brought me peace and joy...and excitement to see what else He is going to ask me to do. 

I am anticipating wonderful stories from the ladies in class who are willing to say YES to God!  What is your story?

Psalm 16:7-9

 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

Long time friends ...

I love when friends visit.  I especially love when long time friends come.  It is like we were never separated and after our welcome hug we begin talking as if we were just continuing a conversation we had the day before. Our friends flew here from Minnesota to attend the Kari Jobe CD Release Worship concert.  They brought their granddaughter Maddy.  She loves Kari's music, is a worship leader herself, and was so excited to come.  Stacy was able to get front row seats for them and meeting Kari was a surprise for Maddie!

If you are not familiar with Kari's worship music you will want to check her out here: Kari Jobe

We had to have lunch at a Mexican restaurant...their favorite food!

Love the days we spent together and can hardly wait for another visit with them!

Celebrating 11 years...

Today we celebrated our sweet Samuel's 11th birthday. 

We always allow the birthday person to choose their dinner and cake.  Samuel chose lasagna and other pasta dishes with strawberry cake and ice cream for desert.  I had fun making lasagna, stuffed shells, and  baked penne with roasted vegetables.  Here is the link to this recipe. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/baked-penne-with-roasted-vegetables-recipe/index.html

I am so thankful for my family!

Happy Birthday Samuel!

New Year...

I don't know where the time has gone from my last post in December until now.  I know we had a wonderful Christmas full of smiles and laughter.  We had family and friends in our home, as well as some new friends from Korea.  We played games, shared gifts, and spent meaningful time together. We had some sorrows but the joys outweighed them. I want to get back to blogging and have been wondering how to start again.  Today I was cleaning the study and began to sort through some books.  I came across a sweet book a friend gave me some years ago.  Some things happened over the holidays that brought hurt to my heart and I felt I had lost this friendship.  Today I picked up the book called The Treasure of a Friend by John Maxwell and began to read what she wrote to me on the back page.  It stirred in me a longing to contact her and to try to mend things between us.  Perhaps our friendship will never be what it was, or perhaps it will.  I will never find out if I don't take a step toward her.  I know I don't want to stay in the place of hurt. 

Love is kind and patient.

never jealous, boastful, proud or rude.

Love isn't selfish or quick tempered.

It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that

others do. Love rejoices in the truth,

but not in evil. Love is always supportive,

loyal, hopeful and trusting.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (CEV)

Nowhere else has the essence of love been expressed
in so few words.

Let them settle into your heart-and
they will change your life.

~~John C. Maxwell

How about you? Is there someone you need to take a step towards this new year? 

Merry Christmas

 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,  “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christa the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

                                                                                           Luke 2:8-14

 
 

 

Navitity

Made by Jim as a surprise for me years ago...

All these were made in Honduras...

Do you have some Nativities you look forward to setting out each year?

Night of Wonder

Our church works with a non-profit organization called 6 Stones My husband, Jim, also serves on the board. One of the things they do during the year is work with all 19 elementary schools in the area to have a Christmas Party for the children and their families. This party is called Night of Wonder and is held on each school campus in early December. At the party, each family will receive their gifts and a Christmas dinner to take home. They also have a very special gift created for the children to give to their parent(s) on Christmas morning. During this party a local pastor will tell the real reason for Christmas...Jesus! It is a very meaningful and fun evening.

I want to share Jim's story of one night when he went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things:

"I went to Walmart this past week. They had poinsettias on sale for $3.47. I picked up 3 of those. There was water right inside the store. Within 60 seconds, I was at the quick checkout. The lady said, "Oh, those are beautiful poinsettias. How much where they?" I said, "They're $3.47." She said, "Oh, I love poinsettias, but that's way outside my budget." She paused and a smile spread across her face as she continued, "Last year the strangest thing happened. My two girls were adopted by some organization and we went to this Christmas party they were having. They gave away these poinsettias as raffle prizes and we won 2 of them! We were so blessed last year.

I said, "Do you mind if I ask you, do you know who that was?"
"It was some group of people that call themselves 6 Stones."

We have adopted our family and bought our gifts.  We will be working at Night of Wonder next week. I want to share the love of Jesus and see smiles on the faces of those we are helping.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's cold outside, so look what I've been doing inside!

I found these Christmas ornaments in a box in the attic. 

They belonged to my mother-in-law.

I think my daughter, Stacy, bought them for her one year.

They look so pretty setting on my buffet with the other things I have.

(Card may be purchased at The Wheatfield by Katie Daisy . She has many other pretty cards and prints.  I love having it set on my buffet!)

This gingerbread house is one I purchased from Party Lite years ago and I love burning tea lights in it each year! I know little people that visit will be loving the candy canes! 

I even had time to make soup for our dinner!  It is simmering on the stove and smells so good!  Click this link for Company's Coming Soup

Fudge Nut Bars

I baked some cookies and bars today. It was fun being in the kitchen listening to Christmas music as I baked. While I was making the Fudge Nut Bars I began to think of the friend that gave me the recipe. I met Janet when we were stationed at Ft. Benning, GA in 1977.  We lived next door to each other and became fast friends. Janet loved to entertain and had a lot of good recipes.  I am glad she shared this one with me. Tomorrow I will share them with the ladies at our Christmas event.

Fudge Nut Bars

1 C. butter

2 C. brown sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 C. flour

1 t. salt

1 t. soda

3 C. oatmeal

2 t. vanilla

Combine above ingredients.

Spread 3/4  of oatmeal mixture in bottom of 13"x9" pan.

Filling: 

Combine in double boiler

12 oz. package chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 t. butter

1/2 t. salt

Heat and stir until smooth. Add 1 C. nuts and 2 t. vanilla.

Cover oatmeal mixture with the filling.

Dot top with remaining oatmeal mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  Don't overbake.

Freezes well!