Monday, May 27, 2013

Dear Family

I've been praying and agonizing over this and following posts.
How do I say what I want to say?
How do I not alianate you while typing what I believe God is calling me to post?
You may read words you strongly disagree with-know that that is ok!
You may wonder how I came to the place where I am.
How did you go wrong?
Know this: I love you. 
I am not bitter. I am not writing in anger.
You were responsible for raising me in the fear of the Lord,and for that I thank you. 
Were it not for the Godly churches, awesome Bibles and passion for Him and His Word that was passed on, I do not know where I would be today.
 
Now as an adult I answer to Him. If I am wrong, He will correct me. And if I am wrong, I deeply apologize.

I am going to blog and share posts on my Facebook because I believe it to be what God is now calling me to do.
Because there is a fire burning in me that must come out.

Because I love you.

These posts are not against you. They are not a weapon I am wielding, shooting  arrows at your heart.

They are letters of love.

They are explanations of a journey God has brought me on.

They are stories of truth He has revealed to my heart.

And I want you to know. And I want others to understand.

I hope you choose to read.
If you do not, I respect that choice and my love for you will not change.

I will always be your daughter and your sister. You will always be welcome in our lives.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

May He be your joy

This morning I was praying for those for whom this day is hard:
Those who have lost their moms;
Those who's kids are hard places;
Those who were abused growing up; 
Those who never knew their mom.

Most of all, for me, my heart aches for arms who long for children.
It took us a couple of years to have our first, and there were times when I felt as Rachel felt in Genesis 30 ("give me children or I shall die!").
I cannot fathom the pain and strength of those who have gone through this many more years than I, some of which have lost their sweet ones before spending any, if much life together.  

I was praying for you this morning. I feel as if saying such is such a feeble offering to you on this day. But I wanted to let you know that you are loved.

Those whom I know I prayed for by name. I wish I could see you in person on this day, hug you and cry together if you needed it. I've cried for you already today...


May you feel the love of your Abba Father today.

Numbers 6:24-26 
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Conference

Last week I had the awesome privilege of joining a group from my church in attending the Children's Desiring God conference.
This is a conference for those who work with the children (nursery up) and youth in churches.
It was an incredible blessing and I would say I got more out of it than any other conference I have ever had the privilege of attending.
I'd strongly encourage anyone to listen to any of the messages and seminars as they are available on their site: ChildrensdesiringGod.org
 
This blog was spoken of by Kempton Turner (one of Bethlehem's youth pastors) and I doubt anyone could read a single entry without being both blessed and convicted!
This young missionary followed The Lord to the mission field at age 18 and has lived in  Africa ever since. 
That workshop was about not expecting little from our youth, and not allowing for the world's mindset that life begins after Hugh school or college, so live it up now(YOLO?). So true.

One of the biggest reminders for me was that God is sovereign in the lives of those we love and minister to, and that only His Spirit can save them. 
Of course I know this! But being given the picture of preaching to a cemetery (without God's intervention) is a vivid one.
I also know a God who brought dead bones to life!