Frazzled...

Okay... So have you ever had so much happening at once you had to check and see if you weren't going in two different directions. If you subtract the baby and add two teenage girls and you pretty much have my life ...


As I watched the early reports on Hurricane Ike I wondered if we would get the call to house evacuees over the week after the hurricane made landfall. However, last Tuesday our family got a call of a different kind. On Wednesday my husband headed down south to help with Hurricane recovery work. Our part is keeping the home fires burning and sacrificing in the area of our budget so that my husband can help restore utilities in the Hurricane ravaged towns.

Granted - my husband gets paid for what he is doing by way of Hurricane recovery. Yet, he is working grueling hours in very poor conditions and we are going to end up spending more than he gets reimbursed for perdium while he is there. I guess it is a good thing my husband's job is not our source. God has a plan and he is faithful. I pray for my husband's spiritual condition while he is away - the long hours and dismal conditions are sure to take their toll at some point. So I ask for prayer for him in so many ways.

He works for a local telephone company and told me that there is enough work there to keep everyone busy (on the telephone side) for about six months. Towns like Baytown, Hitchcock and other Galveston Bay front towns are truly devastated - but are not being talked about much on the news. I stood in line behind a woman who is staying in this area since the hurricane has flooded her house and has her stranded here in town. She said that she needs FEMA help to get a hotel but has not gotten any assistance yet.

We are faced with it everywhere we turn. Our church sent out an email this weekend stating that our church will be a staging facility working with a church in the Hurricane affected area sending volunteers down for four day rotations to gut houses and make it possible for them to be repaired quickly without the threat of mold setting in on the studs and foundation.

I guess, the most troubling thing for me is to think that many people are still missing. My husband reported on Friday that the town they were working in was pretty much wiped out. He saw a couple of D/FW metro area firetrucks pulling up with trailers. They unloaded two "gator" first aid carts with four stretchers each and were accompanied by a police officer with an assault rifle and a can of spray paint. My husband's statment on the scene was bone-chilling for me, "They are about to go in and search for bodies from house to house."

He said - IT IS REALLY BAD. My heart breaks and I asked him how he is dealing with being in a place where he is surrounded by death. He said, "I have a job to do. I try not to think about it too much."

So... I'm praying over these first hand reports, praying for the funds to support two households until my husband's perdium catches up with us in a couple of weeks and praying for protection for everyone who is going down to work and all of those who are hurting over the loss of their home or the loss of their family and friends. May God be merciful and bless them all. Bless them all.

So... I have been a little off since Thursday afternoon. I will get the Names of God caught up Wednesday and post on IOW a week from Tuesday. I am adjusting to my new "single mom" status and realizing how blessed I am to have a husband who helps me so much when he is home.

Mandy Thompson is writing about everyday doers over at her blog. What do these types of reports prompt you to do?

Love to you all and many blessings.

Pray for me...

I have a direction to take with this morning's Names of God post... However, I'm praying through it so as to know exactly what God would have me say. It may be a little different than the usual, yet I feel like I'm really supposed to go here.

I'll be back in later with a post that will BLESS. YOUR. SOCKS. OFF.

NO. PRESSURE. RIGHT?

Laughter is good medicine, and right now I am laughing at myself. Go ahead, admit it - you are laughing, too. Blessings and Thanks in advance.

Urgent Prayer Request

(I couldn't find a pic of Chaz, but this is from his racing circuit.)

**UPDATE** 8/31/08 11:05 PM: My daughter and I went to the hospital. Chaz has been awake on and off throughout the day. He started out calling his mother "Henry" and saying things like his last name was "Diez" and his father's last name was "Dirtwiggler."
However, this afternoon there was much improvement. He began to recognize and identify his family members and the doctor says that his CT Scans do not look much improved but Chaz physically and cognitively appears to be much improved.

This is a day to day situation still. He could relapse or suffer significant cognitive losses as a result of his injury. He is not in a drug-induced coma, but on heavy medication. He will be in teh hospital at least a week - but to God's glory he was taken to the #1 trauma center in North Texas.

His mom said he is definitely a miracle child. Prayers are working. The next three months are critical - he can do no physical activity AT ALL. Then they will retest and do a cognitive assessment at 6 months and that will be the long term prognosis. So - again, just as oft as you think of it please pray! It is all good news so far. He is on the road to recovery which is a great improvement from Last Night. Mom is concerned about breaking the news to him that they are selling his dirt bike and his motorcross career is officially over. She knows he will not be happy about that - especially with no memory of what has happened to him. His injury is called "Brain Sheering." Parts of his brain has stopped working - apparently.

I am supposed to take my other daughter and her friend back tomorrow. I will keep you all posted.

THANKS AGAIN - SO MUCH. LOVE YA'LL!
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Hey Blog Friends... I'm sending this out on the wire and asking you to pray for the Sims family.



The eldest child, Chaz, who is around 16 years old races motorcross and was involved in a serious accident. He has been hospitalized and is in a drug-induced coma. His injuries are apparently serious and numerous. His parents are Jim and Tami and his brother is Tanner. Please pray for complete healing, restoration and victory for this young man and his family.



After Justin died, Chaz would walk up to me at church and not say one word he would just give me the biggest hug. He and his family were very affected by my son's situation and Chaz has been a good friend to my youngest daughter.



I appreciate all your prayers. I will post an update as soon as I have more information.



Thanks again.

Family Facing Tragedy

Please pray for the Drew Family. Their little boy, Christian, is three and went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday.

You can read more about it here: "Dozer's" Story

Although I did not know the Drew family personally, my heart is grieved for their loss and my prayers go out to them.



Blessings all.

"His Strength is Perfect" by Steven Curtis Chapman from Greatest Hits CD

Prayer Requests

I have a couple of prayer requests:

For my friend Rick and his wife, Liz. He is in the hospital battling cancer and they got bad news yesterday. They are holding strong to their faith and God's promises, but who couldn't use extra prayer in the midst of a storm.

Also would you pray for this young man... Ethan. His story just grabbed my heart. His picture is below:

Thanks all...

I covet your prayers...

Dear Blog Friends,

I am in the midst of writing curriculum for a group for Bereaved Mothers that will start this fall in my church. I am finding that things are progressing forward at a clipping pace, but I know, too, that it makes me a big target for the assault of the enemy. Please lift me in prayer as I write - as I lead this fall (September - December) and pray that God's Will would be done.

Pray also for the women who will be coming to the group - and for the development of a "crisis group" that will begin at the same time for those who are not able to attend my group.

Thanks.

Prayer REQUESTS!

Hey ya'll! I've just realized something so vivid - so many of us are under attack in our health. I know the two friends I have read about today have much more severe issues than my own so I am going to ask you to pray for our sweet sisters: Bev Brandon and Jenny Hope. They are both in my blog list in the sidebar if you want to pop over and give them some love, but pray for healing and restoration completely. Please also pray for me, I have been in bed miserable all day - renouncing my sore throat and aching bones, knowing rest is good for me and that God will answer my prayers, but I am just worn out tonight.

We all need Jehovah Rapha to intercede and bring up health. If you have health issues please post them in your comment to this post and know that you are being prayed for as well. God Bless you all!

Just a quick note...

As I run back to the bedroom to watch yet another HD movie on our new television and cable channels. This is my lazy day this week as my gift preparations are all DONE! Can you believe in a little less than 3 weeks my team of WONDERFUL WOMEN have finished prepping nearly 5,500 gifts to be distributed this week! Did I already say they are done... Praise God and thank you Jesus! Oh Yes, I really DID! I mean seriously! These women came in yesterday and in less than 8 hours sorted, assembled and tied with tulle sets of notecards (8 to a set) to the tune of 1750... total! I. WAS. BESIDE. MYSELF. AT. 4:10 PM. When the last box was folded closed, marked and stacked for the gentleman from facilities to come and store! I could only look around and marvel, and thank and praise! They even finished up the tedious few loose ends I had left to do myself! I was over the moon happy - probably glowing when my hubby pulled up to pick me up - I wasn't even tired.

Okay... seriously - our ministry team needs prayer this weekend. They are fully expecting to sell out (1,750) registrations and to over sell - meaning they will discount registrations until their is no room in overflow except the women who buy the after sell-out registrations will not recieve the gifts. :o(

However, the idea, generally of nearly 2,000 women at this event for 3 days is a little overwhelming. One of our key team members has been down with pneumonia and is unable to fulfill her duties since her doctor has her at home for fear she will get sick again. She was pivotal for our church groups coming in as the church hostess coordinator. It could prove challenging, but I am sure God will iron out the details. He has known this day was coming for a while. Just pray for God to move the heart of every woman with grace and love and that they would feel His hand upon them and receive a Word from Him directly to their lives. Pray for my gift distribution details to work out... I know they will, but prayer coverage and agreement is never a bad thing. NOT EVER!

Okay... I am done with my quick - long-winded- post... See you guys on the other side of PINK!

Back to my movies... My daughter laughingly said I may never come out of my room again, but that is just not true. I have to be checking in with my blog sistas every now and again and I have much rewriting to do on several Bible lessons that have been on the books for a while now... and OH. YES. THE NAMES OF GOD WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK! Fresh and full of Holy Fire I am praying!

Amen? Amen... love ya'll and have a blessed week!

Please Pray For Healing...

Mama Beth over at the LPM BLog has put out the SOS call! Please pray for Travis Cottrell (AKA: FryDaddy - at Boomama's blog). He is sick and has many family and ministry obligations this week. He could really use a supernatural rest and restoration. By His stripes we are healed. May His favor be upon Travis, his family and his home. AMEN. We praise you for the answer you've prepared in advance as we make intercession for our friend. Glory Lord, show us Your glory!

Oh Boy! Oh No! Oh Boy!

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Last Sunday I met with my ministry placement coach, and on Thursday I attended my first Writer's Critique Group meeting... as I sit here today tapping out words on this keyboard, I find myself asking - "Can this really be happening to me?"
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In my heart of hearts I can see myself sitting at the feet of Jesus and I find Him smiling down on me. Please pray... When I got the email this week from my ministry placement coach I was so excited at her report, however, I was also immediately taken with the work that would come with the privilege and I could barely stand myself. It was 5:30 AM and I was reading it aloud to my husband when I said, "Oh yes... Do you know what this means?" Then the lightbulb of responsibility came on and I said, "Oh no!" My husband turned to me and said "Is that good or bad?"
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I exhaled a shaky sigh, resigning myself to the journey with God where ever He leads and said, "No....No... It's good, I just realized that I am soon going to be on a time table... and that is a scary thing!"
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I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH! (and courage, and wisdom, and perserverance, and truth, and whew! He is my everything!)
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Please Pray!

Prayer Closets and Prayer Requests

This fine morning prayer requests and prayer closets are weighing on my mind. You see, having been in ministry for a number of years and having been praying for all of those years, I had never found the need to go into a room and close the door to talk to God, but this past weekend - God arranged a wake-up call.

(The following is from my notes on "The Secret of First" a sermon message delivered to Gateway church on January 12-13, 2008 by Robert Morris. Blue highlighted material is taken directly from notes taken during the sermon and are my paraphrase of the material presented.)

My pastor, Robert Morris, was speaking on this very subject when he brought to our attention Psalm 91:4-7. Now Psalm 91 - I know... I pray often when I feel weak and frail to be kept in the shelter of His wings. But, here is what Pastor Robert brought to my attention: "the secret place" in Psalm 91:1 (NKJV) now in the NIV it is the "shelter" but this secret place got my attention... where is the secret place? So, he took us over to Matthew 6:5-13 when the disciples are asking Jesus to teach them to pray.

"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

"But you, when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in the secret place will reward you openly.

"And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think they will be heard for their many words.

"Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:5-7 NKJV, emphasis mine)

The secret place is found behind "a closed door." Not necessarily a room or officially a door persay, but a specific time and place that you set aside daily to be alone with God in prayer, a time of uninterrupted fellowship, communication and worship.

Pastor Robert then proceeded to outline the elements of the Lord's prayer in this way. Matthew 6:9 are elements of praise as well as the latter part of verse 13. He said that Jesus taught the disciples to begin and end their prayers with PRAISE. The first element of prayer as Jesus taught it is praise, for who He is, what He has done and what He is about to do. Praise Him in all circumstances.

The next element he identified is PERMISSION. Jesus taught the disciples to ask for God's Will. Ask God for His opinion of what you are doing, asking for and the outcome, don't just pray according to your own will and desires, but ask God for permission to receive what you seek. (verses 10)

The third element he outlined was PROVISION. Jesus taught the disciples to ask for a daily provision. Even though you bought groceries on Friday, pray today for God to make the provision for the daily needs of your family: food, finances, health care, automobile maintenance, etc. Whatever you have need of basic to extraordinary, ask God to provide it daily. (verse 11)

The fourth element he outlined was PEACE. There can be no peace without forgiveness. If we do not request and receive forgiveness from God and do not extend forgiveness to others, we will never truly realize peace in our own lives. 1 John 1:9 says we need to daily confess our sins not because they need to be forgiven, but because they have already been forgiven and our soul (our mind, will and emotions) needs to acknowledge and receive that forgiveness as we work out our salvation. By doing so our souls are cleansed of the spot and blemish of sin and made clean and whole once more.

The final element outlined is PROTECTION. Asking God for protection. We are constantly subject to spiritual warfare aswirl around us in the Spiritual Realm, our lives are deeply affected by it. We need to be asking God for protection and restoration in these areas daily.

Then Pastor Robert shared this little nugget, "The best thing about the secret place is who you get to share it with." He did not discourage the practice of praying while you are doing housework or sitting on the front porch or in your car or any other type of continual prayer - he exhorted us to add this to our prayer life and find the wonderful pleasure of spending time uninterrupted with God.

Having heard this message on Saturday evening I started my Sunday morning with a secret place appointment...

I rose fairly early and pulled out my prayer journal (a book sized spiral notebook with 100 pages in it) and opened it to the first fresh page. I numbered out six sections leaving half a page to write in each: Praise, Permission, Provision, Peace, Protection and Praise. I filled in each section with prayerful consideration and then evaluated every room in my house. The kitchen pantry, a closet but with the current fasting conditions in my spiritual life I thought it better to not tempt fate, plus we keep our garbage in there. Then I considered the laundry room, but uninterrupted time in there is almost never found. I returned to our master bedroom and considered our closet, briefly, but my mind wold wonder to what I would wear for the day... not a good idea. I returned to the master bathroom content to kneel on the floor in front of the bathtub with my beautiful picture of Jesus carrying a weary soul across the beach when I noticed (for lack of a better term) our toilet closet. You know the little room that houses the commode in your bathroom with a door separating it from the rest of the bathroom. I went in and closed the lid settling down. I closed the door and realized this is the perfect place to pray. No one likely to bother me and I can kneel in the floor or sit or stand, whatever I need to do to pray. So I began. The first day was delightful, though my husband noticed I was missing and came to check on me calling out over my praying in the Spirit out loud - "Are You Okay?" He must not have been too concerned because he returned to his game of "Bejeweled" without an answer.

I have spent this week at various times in the day writing out my prayers and then submitting them to God in my new found prayer closet. Yesterday after a particularly wonderful time of fellowship with the Lord I sat silently listening. I then asked, "God, show me how you see me?"

Now to give you a hint of background. I am on a journey of complete testing for 40 days and ever since I began on January 1st all I have heard is "This is a time of preparation and dedication."

Well, as I lay my head against the wall and drank in deep, soulful breaths of the Holy Spirit - this is what I saw:

A schoolhouse that has been burned to the ground, and is being rebuilt brick by brick on a stronger foundation, even though it is branded and tested by fire. It is being built into a house of knowledge, learning and understanding, a place where people will find refuge from a broken, fallen existence and our Savior glorified.

It was the delight of my day. Confirmation of my calling to teach - and I have the call to write already confirmed. I am so taken by the Lord right now I can hardly stand it. He is the delight of my life and my days. He is all I need and all I want and more. He is my Lord, my God, my Savior and my Friend. He is everything to me.

The secret place is very special, if you don't already have one - seek it out today!

Blessings in Christ, beloved.