We made it to YOUTUBE!!!!

I just had to share this video with all of you. It is the Compassion International video from the trip many of the speaker team took last summer to Ecuador. After you see this click August 2007 on to read my journal of the trip. If you wish to learn more about sponsoring a child click on this Proverbs 31 link.






I pray this has encouraged you today.

Blessings,

The Duck and The Devil

I am sorry I have been quiet over the past week or so. I have been traveling with work and spending more time in the Urgent Care!! I should own stock in that place by now. Ryan our 12 year old has a Patella that is off its track. That is the floating bone or knee cap. We are not sure yet if there is damage to the Meniscus (the cushions that hold it in place), or just a bad strain. We will know more on Monday after many days of rest and a brace.

I received a great story in an email, so I thought I would pass it on to you.

The Duck &the Devil
There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given
a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he
could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for
dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of
impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and
killed it. He was shocked and grieved!

In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister
watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes" But
Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then
she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and
Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just
smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he
wanted to help" She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went
fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally
couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had
killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I
was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love
you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a
slave of you."

If there are things in your life that the enemy keeps throwing up to you; fears, debt, bad habits, cheating, anger, bitterness or anything else know that God has seen all of it and He still loves you and adores you and if you will ask He will be faithful to forgive you. Don't let the devils lies make you a slave any longer.

Spring is fully here, take some time with this new season to start fresh in your heart as well.
Blessings,

"It looks like scribble scrabble in your heart"

"When you say bad words and you do mean things the bible says that is sin and it looks like scribble scrabble in your heart". Sarah Kidd

We were riding home today when my oldest daughter was fussing about something being stupid; my youngest daughter proceeded to preach the sermon listed above. I was totally taken aback with the wisdom that flowed from my now 5 year old (her birthday was April 1st).

Those words created a vivid word picture for me. I thought about all of the times I am sinful and I pictured those bad words or short tempers, judgmental thoughts or glances drawing a scribbly line through my heart. OUCH!! I wonder if God can see my heart behind all those squiggly lines and marks. I wanted to reach for a big eraser.

1 John 3-5 (amp)

3And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).

4Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God's law by transgression or neglect--being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).

5You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin [^[a]essentially and forever].

Then God began to remind me of the sacrifice His son made over 2000 years ago. He did all the erasing back then. I must accept that and be faithful to confess my sins as I am convicted when I commit one. If I come to Him with a sincere repentance and a heartfelt desire to do what is right then Jesus gets out His eraser and cleans up my mess. WOW!!

There is another command in the bible that shows us what to do.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I love how God uses our little ones to teach us mighty lessons.
Blessings,

Delayed at the Gate!!!

Yesterday was one of those days!! It started out fine, a little rainy but a good day. I was in Chicago working at a medical conference. I had an afternoon flight back home. I was looking forward to returning to my husband and children.

I arrived at the airport and did the initial check in, all was good. I made my way to my gate with my Starbuck's Latte in hand expecting to enjoy my warm drink and relax on the plane. I discovered there was a gate change, I headed to the new one. Once there I discovered that the screens were incorrect it was going to be at the original gate. There was another catch though; it was delayed 2 hours. I called Allan to inform him. He had heard there were delays at Chicago, he was not surprised.

I headed to a restaurant for some dinner. As my departure time approached I again headed to the gate. The board was blinking (that is not a good thing). We were delayed another hour. I had finished all the work I had with me to do, read some magazines, the newspaper and talked with other stranded people.

As I was contemplating what else to do my phone rang. A friend called with a urgent prayer request. Another friends mother was in intensive care and they had called the family in; my friend was alerting her prayer chain. I gladly agreed to help.

After praying I went to grab a snack and something to drink. I heard the man in front of me talking about his 18 month old daughter that he could not wait to get home to see.

He said she was everything to him, he went on to say that he could live without her mother, but not her.

I was stunned. I found myself immediately telling him he should be ashamed of himself!! I explained to him that it was because of his wife that he had that precious daughter, and that he should cherish her too. Unless he would find himself not being able to see his daughter regularly!! I shared with him the things my husband and I do to make time for each other. How we know we must not take each other for granted.

He went to his flight, but returned a minute later with tears in his eyes. He thanked me for giving him some important things to think about.

I began to think about my wait time a little differently. I asked God what else did He need done while He had me stuck there!! I found a place to sit and looked up to see some people I recognized from a local ministry.

The husband was sharing the gospel with the man sitting next to him. I prayed and listened. I jumped for joy when the man accepted Jesus just as we were being called to board the plane.

I was pretty fired up by now, so when the man sitting next to me on the plane turned out to be a believer but still quite cynical, I was ready. He wanted to talk about tithing. I did my best to share with him that you can not out give God, and that tithing unlocks the doors to God's power and wisdom. I shared with him that even at our tightest financial points we always tithe, and God always shows up!! As we left the baggage claim area, I told him he would be thinking differently when the basket was passed on Sunday!!!

I finally made it to Charlotte at 10:30pm. Allan and the kids were there to pick me up. I was so glad to be home.

I love what happens when we take the time to pray and listen.

The next time I am stuck at the gate, I will be excitedly expecting God to show up.

Blessings,