I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.
We just did bedtime routine: clean up, story time, "What are you thankful for?" and prayers.
During the thankful time we had the most unbelievable conversation, as it was happening I knew it was remarkable, I was so upset that I couldn't turn my camera on and record him for "proof" but my memory was full.
I am going to try to write it down as clearly as I remember. I assure you it is close. It is unbelievable even to me that I had this conversation with my three year old, but I did.
D: (touching my shirt) What does dat say?
Me: Both ends burning
D: What does dat mean?
Me: Well, it's about a movie that is helping make sure kids that don't have a home can have one. (very simplified explanation)
D: (wide eyes) They don't have a home?
Me: No, not every child has a home. They need a family.
D: I hab a famiwee
Me: You do. Not every kid does though.
D: Dat makes me really sad. It makes me feel wike... (tears welling) I am gonna cry
Me: (tears welling about to BURST) (Prayer) Don't worry. God will take care of the children. See buddy, God purposes in people's heart the right thing to do. Then people are obedient to that feeling and act to make sure the children get a home. Make sure they have a family. (all the while knowing that it isn't that easy--but worth seeing relief on the 3yo face)
D: (with a sense of power) We hab to change dis world! Wets change it. I'm gonna be Spider Man and go off and fight the bad guys and make sure kids hab a home and then (higher pitch) I will fwhy back to my home.
Me:(astounded)
We finished routine and had an extra special prayer time. I am so thankful for this little man teaching me about changing the world.
I walked out of the room after prayer and BURST into tears.
A three year old "gets it" why can't the world?"
Our hero
Please check out BOTH ENDS BURNING
As well as the STUCK Documentary. HERE
The Movie Premier is touring the country and I saw it last night and it was AMAZING!
I read this article. It is not for the faint of heart. I recommend you pray about whether you read it or not first.
Because if you read it, you are responsible to do something about it.
Proverbs 24:12 tells us, "Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act."
What we "do" is between us and God. I ask for prayer specifically because I feel I MUST do something. Maybe my something is sharing it. Maybe it's more.
Orphan Care
Water Crisis
Life & Death
Sex Trade
RESCUE!
and why God's people (self included) don't care more!
Why we don't cry louder.
...I sometimes feel like I MUST post something...or you 2 readers will forget about me.
And with so much HURTING in my heart, and not knowing HOW to put that hurt into words...how do I share it with you.
...I found out by "coincidence" {insert eye roll here-don't believe in those} that one of my favorite artists will be in my town for FREE tonight! Thank you Jesus!
I was looking for a song to share with you...and it found me (by coincidence meeting both needs)
GRACE!!!
I need eyes to be my guide I need a voice that’s louder than mine
I need hope I need You
Cause I can’t do this alone
Lyrics to Grace by Phil Wickham :
The sky is grey and the light is far
The sea is a rage within my heart
I turn my sight to the crashing waves
I cry in the night just to be saved
I need eyes to be my guide
I need a voice that’s louder than mine
I need hope I need You
Cause I can’t do this alone
Grace I call Your name
Oh won’t Your smile fall over me
I’m cracked and dry on hands and knees
Oh sweet grace rain down on me I need You grace
I pray for dawn a new day to live
I pray for mercy only Jesus gives
Though darkness falls and a million cry
I believe over all there’s a greater light shining for us
Come down and save me
[ Grace Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]
Shaun Groves is a communicator who’s known by a lot of titles: Singer/songwriter. Speaker. Blogger. Husband. Daddy. Friend. He feels and thinks deeply and laughs easily. And he’s helping Christians discover what they were saved for, and being a voice for children around the world, desperate to be saved from poverty.
I read a post today that is sticking with me... Go! See! Check out the images, and hear an orphans definition of Rich and Poor!
It's right above my computer. A reminder. A challenge. A promise.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
I listen to it. In song. Running through my mind this morning is this,
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
What if His people prayed!
You may remember me telling you about my friend Amy who is in Uganda to bring home her medically fragile daughter. Here is a link to her latest blog: Glimmer of Hope
Well, James is from Canada and has been in Uganda for MONTHS because he can't get visas to come home.
There are other families that I am not aware of that are effected as well.
A fellow ifaster, Jena, who is also a Ugandan Momma, is organizing a TIME OF PRAYER! Here is her message to save a step. This is the same momma that sent the email I posted in my UPDATE.
I know there are lots of different bits of information floating around out there right now. There is a lot of fear. There is a lot of confusion.
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints." I Corinthians 14:33.
I would ask that we all pray for this situation. Pray it will be resolved. Pray there would be no more confusion. Pray that those obtaining legal guardianship in Uganda would be filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding and can only come from Him. Pray He will do more than we could have ever asked for or imagined for these precious little ones in Uganda. God loves each of these children more than we ever could. He formed them, He knows them, He adores them!
I have been thinking about Matthew 18:20 a lot today. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." On Wednesdays I am blessed to sometimes get to join a conference call with other people who have a heart for orphan care. It is a wonderful time of coming together praying for God's heart for the least of these. I think that we are better together and would love for us to go to the throne room together on behalf of the people in Uganda, the judges, the lawyers, the babies, the kids, the families...
Would you please join me in a time of corporate prayer this Sunday, February 7th at 5:00-6:00 PM EST? We won't be spending time discussing the situation. We won't be asking or answering questions. Those who wish to pray can simply pray what is on their heart. I will open us in prayer at 5:00 PM EST and I will close us in prayer by 6:00 PM EST. Please join us for the entire hour or five minutes, whatever works for you.
Some particulars about the call:
*The call will ask you to introduce yourself. If you are calling in after we have begun, please just remain silent and join in the call.
*Please don't use headphones or put the call on speaker. This will prevent a lot of noise and make it easier for all to focus.
*Please press *6 to mute yourself once you join the call. Press *6 to unmute yourself if you want to pray out loud.
You can join in the call by calling: Conference Dial-in Number: (605) 475-4850
Participant Access Code: 244388#
***UPDATE***
Within 10 minutes of posting I received two emails informing me I may want to change the time because the Super Bowl Pre-Show will be on during that time and the call would interfere with Super Bowl Parties. It is my opinion some things are more important than football, just sayin'...
I can tell you I have never been more blessed than to gather at the throne of the King of Kings, with people from all over the country and unite ourselves in one-voice! My Wednesdays are the highlight of my week. So, I am SO excited to have this opportunity again on Sunday.
So, want to JOIN ME?
THIS Sunday: 5pm-6pm EST
If you are in Uganda that would be 1am Monday.
In case you haven't had the pleasure of hearing this song:
Casting Crowns "What If His People Prayed"
What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let Satan have one more
What if the church for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took and stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way
And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way
He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah
If only we would pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, Yeah
And turn from their own way
He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah
If only we would pray
A Song to hear!
Found this at a best friends blog that is private
Lyrics:
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
"I quickly began to recognize that as we had fed the starving bodies of the people in these communities they had been feeding my starving soul. They were infested with micro-organisms from polluted water. I was suffering a polluted heart from excess and ease of life. They had a lack of knowledge because of limited access to education, I had a lack of wisdom from useless and corrupting information overload. They are often gripped with fear from attack by the LRA or others, and I was ignorant in my lack of real fear of a just God."
I didn't even finish reading before my soul was wrecked. Not because his story is so heartbreaking and/or "their" lives are so horrible but because MINE is. Sometimes my life just frustrates me! I teeter between changing the world and staying the same. Staying the same stinks! I know it, I live it. But changing the world seems like an impossible task.
I am thankful for a God that does the "changing" and that he allows me the privileged to be a part of His changing work.
I think it is not the world I must change, but my world. "MY" world!
I ask God for so much, MUCH! and today I truly want to walk out TRUST in HIS provision. For me and the "least of these." I have a lot to learn from this young man:
click to go to blog
This scripture was shared with me today and is so encouraging. Pray it blesses your heart too.
Isaiah 55 (New International Version)
Invitation to the Thirsty
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David. 4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples. 5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor." 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
Let's mobilize our churches to be involved. This website has all the resources for you to take the reins. http://www.orphansunday.org/
I am going to hold an event to mobilize my friends to get this event hosted at their churches.
Hopefully they will make it an event, but even if the least they do is play the video-there will be people that will move into action because God is already dealing with their hearts.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, who changed my life; and continues daily in this process.
I love my husband and am grateful to have a life partner to journey with.
I am honored to mother 2 beautiful children and delighted He gave me 2 more teenagers to mentor, who became as a daughter and son. I now relative-foster a sweet boy who is showing us joy in new ways. We have A LOT of baby grands! We are blessed.
As I journey I am figuring out ministry, mission and life. It is never a boring path; and ever-changing for sure! The comforting thing for me is "He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.(Job 23:10)" All because of HIM!!
