Wake up my Heart!

Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Oh, how that is a verse I needed to see yesterday! At church we are going through the book of Isaiah and this is not the first time it said something I needed to hear. For good or bad, my life pretty much revolves around my kiddo. I sometimes feel like my parenting skills are lacking and with his vocabulary becoming larger and the introduction of the word "why" into conversations several times a day, I find myself at a loss. This whole verse wraps me in the comfort of God's arms - and for several reasons. When I picture Jesus, I envision him with little children all around. This verse gives me that picture with God. Where are the little children? Close to his heart. Even when I screw up, as I do on a daily basis, God has my little man close to his heart. In addition to that, God leads us i...

Scripture of the Day: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 4  There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.   5  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.   6  There are different kinds of working, but the same God   works all of them in all men.   7  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.   8  To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom,   to another the message of knowledge   by means of the same Spirit,   9  to another faith   by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing   by that one Spirit,   10  to another miraculous powers,   to another prophecy,   to another distinguishing between spirits,   to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,   and he gives them to each one, just as...

Scripture of the Day: Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. I have a knack for remembering the dates of important things in my life - most of the time. I was just thinking yesterday that I do not remember the date I got engaged and that seems an important one to have forgotten! :) Unfortunately, those important dates for most of my young life revolved around major surgeries. For instance, on October 27, 1995, I had my colon removed. And then, wonderfully, on October 13, 2011, I had surgery to remove some of my small intestine and now have what is called a permanent ileostomy. Granted, I was not excited about it at the time! For the past couple of weeks, I have been reliving the day of surgery last year and the weeks that followed. I had surgery last year for a couple of reasons. 1) My GI doctor in Chicago told me I needed it - medication would not have helped my issues and my quality of life would improve. 2) I felt that it was in God's plan ...

Scripture of the Day – Psalm 56:8 “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” I am not much of a crier. Sappy movies don't usually bring on the water works and I seldom cry happy tears (weddings being an exception - those get me every time!) So when I do cry it is usually heartfelt and out of sorrow, confusion, or seeming helplessness. In the past several years I have noticed I have two kinds of tears. The first kind comes about when I am typically responding to something in a silly way when really I need to just push through. When I cry these tears, my face scrunches up, and I like to be in the fetal position. Those tears hurt. The second type of crying I do is really quite peaceful. My face is calm and tears simply roll from eyes down my face. Those tears bring healing. Last night in the course of 15 minutes I cried both types of tears (reason isn't really important - but everything...

Scriptures of the Day (Warning - lot of Scripture today!): Proverbs 3:21-24 - My son, preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Matthew 6:25-27 - Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life. When my siblings were little, I remember watching the movie George of the Jungle over and over. One of my favorite parts of the film is when George tells Ursula (the woman who takes...

Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 7:9b If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. The first time I read the words above, my first thought was “well, that’s a little harsh!” But the more I have pondered those words, the more I see their truth…and that perhaps they do not have to be harsh at all. Maybe the words are comforting. I’m about to give a very personal example of what that verse brings to mind. My Uncle Charlie (who knows I’m writing this!) was diagnosed with lung cancer (and has never smoked) in early 2011. The prognosis was not, and is not, good. If I recall, with treatment, life expectancy was no more than a year. And yet he is still here. To directly quote him, “ I THANK GOD, when I get up every morning, and continue to see the light of day!” Charlie stands firm in faith. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is the “Hall of Faith” (Hebrews, Chapter 11 – READ IT if you have not!). They list many Biblical characters, most of whom you ha...

Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 66:13a (note, this is a re-post from May – there is illness going around my house and I needed to hear this today and am hoping maybe you do too!) “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you…” That verse hits me particularly hard today because I currently have a sick little guy. And if you have children, I think you will understand when I say that I would do just about anything in the world to help him when he is sick. There is no helpless feeling that is somehow quite   as helpless   as when your child is sick. You would rather be sick yourself, or snap your fingers and make it all better! Think of how you attempt comfort for your sick children – cuddles, extra hugs and kisses, whatever food they want (that won’t make the illness worse), favorite movies, security items, sleeping in bed with you…and the list goes on and on.  In the future, I can only imagine when my child needs other comforts that may come from hurt feelin...

Scripture of the Day: Jeremiah 29:11 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. This week I celebrated a big birthday. I turned 30. I remember when that seemed old! Now it just seems like a big deal because when I write my age it will begin with a 3 instead of a 2! When I turned 20, I was just waiting to turn 21 and for my life to really begin...and now, I find myself not really waiting for anything. I am not sure if that is good or bad :) I have spent some time reflecting this week and feel extremely blessed. As far back as I can remember, I had somewhat of a life plan. It didn't include much, I just wanted to be married and have at least one child by the time I was 30. Both of those things have happened, even though for a long time I had my doubts about either one! More than anything, I wanted and prayed for a husband...and then I wanted and prayed for a chi...

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 17:20 ...if you have faith as a  mustard   seed , you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.  This past weekend, my husband and I watched the movie Green Lantern (finally - I might add)! I won't give away too many spoilers if you have not seen it...but the gist is this group of green lanterns who protect the universe are fighting against this yellow power, which is fear. The green lanterns use will as their power because will is the strongest drive. The whole movie I was somewhat perturbed by this use of only two things: fear and will. Are those really the strongest motivators we have? NO! We, my friends, have faith! In my head, this is represented by purple. When you add this purple, faith power, nothing is impossible to you! Faith can overcome fear. And faith is stronger than my will (on good days anyway). The best part about this faith power is that you do not n...