God's Goodness!

God's goodness overwhelms me. His provisions never cease to amaze me. Sometimes that goodness is something special just between me and Him. But many times His goodness comes to me though one of His children, one of my sisters-in-Christ. I want to share with you His goodness this past week.

* Two buckets of the yummiest figs you've ever tasted..(gonna make one of those fancy tart things today!)

*5 pair of shoes, 3 pair of pants, 2 sweaters, 1 shirt (with tags still on them, and fancy lapels) for Jake from the sweetest neighbor in the world!

*A check for some sewing I had done...with BIG tip...(DOUBLE!)

AND the kicker!

* A very special friend offered a plane ticket to me to a very special place...and even though it didn't work out...I was moved to tears by her generosity!


I am reminded of Acts2:44-45 All believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Those sisters didn't know that Jake needed some pants or that I needed that extra money, but my Lord did. What my sisters did know was that when it is in our power to do good we should not withhold that good. They were simply being Christ's hands and feet. I know how happy I was...and I imagine that our Lord was pleased too!


Abba Father!
Holy is Your Name and most worthy of praise! I thank You for your abundant blessings and I especially thank you for my sisters-in-Christ who shared with me and my family. Lord, fill me to overflowing of Your Holy Spirit this day, so that when You prompt me to share with others I'll not hesitate to give. I pray that I will hold loosely to these material things so that I may share with others. I want to be Your hands and feet this day. And I want to speak Your words to comfort and encourage. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen!

Is there some good you could share this day? Let's not withhold any good this day!!!

Standing amazed at His goodness!
Teresa


ps: I would love hear of His goodness in your life this past week!

High School and Roller Coasters

It had to happen, I knew it would. I just didn't anticipate it happening so soon. Last Wednesday I watch my beautiful brown-eyed first born walk into High School. She looked totally together and ready to conquer the world. I on the other hand, did not look totally together and it took every ounce of self-control I had not to start a major meltdown in the school parking lot. I mean how much can a momma take for goodness sake!...I just sent my baby to kindergarten this time last year and I'm still adjusting to that!!

It seems like for so long a mom can't see the light at the end of the tunnel for all the diapers, sippy cups, potty training and barbie dolls. Now I not only see the light at the end of the tunnel but I am staring at a flood light and it is blinding me. In four short years she will fly from the nest and I am filled with conflicting emotions about that...Will she be ready? Will she remember who she is and Whose she is? Will she make the right choices? (not my choices..the right choices for her)...but isn't this what all this parenting is about...training them up to fly on their own...to live out our faith so they want to make Jesus their own. To transfer their hand from ours to His.

And so Gracie it is with much love and loosening hands that I bring you before the throne of the Lord Most High. Fourteen and half years ago God placed you in my hands and your physical beauty took my breath away, now your beautiful heart takes my breath away.

Almighty Father,
I pray that Gracie will be passionate about gaining wisdom and
passionately in love with You.

I pray that You will protect her from harm and the evil one
and protect her from thinking too highly of herself.

I pray that You will give her like-minded friends
and those friends will seek You.

I pray that she'll share her clothes, her study notes, her laughter and the Gospel with others.

I pray she'll hide Your Word in her heart
and be careful who she lets in her heart.

I pray she'll know the power of saying.."I'm sorry" and "I love you".
and she'll experience the power of the name of Jesus.

I pray that her heart will be tender towards others that are hurting
and she bring her heart to You when she's hurting.

I pray Father that she will walk in Your Spirit all the days of her life
and experience Your goodness all along the way!
in the precious saving name of Jesus, Amen!

Lord, hold me tight! I don't like roller coasters in any shape or form , but that is exactly what I feel like we we are on! A roller coaster that is gaining momentum with every passing day...Lord remind me daily that You are in control of this ride and if I'll just open my eyes every now and then You have some awesome views for me!

Hang on Gracie and take it easy on me!
much love all...white knuckles and all
Teresa

ps: Just in case you got the feeling she's the perfect teenager..let me just share that she has left for school and left dirty dishes everywhere and her bed unmade and shoes in the hall...etc....AHHHHH!

Count 'em 1....2....3!

We interrupt this incredibly busy first week of school for an important announcement!.....


At approximately 7:00 Thursday night a very surprised momma cow of ours gave birth to TRIPLETS..that's right- triplet calves..count'em 1...2....3.....For all you city girls...let me tell you in the cattle world this is HUGE! (and sorry Fran...didn't have my camera!) ...Unfortunately one died early this morning... Triplets are rare indeed, and even more rare is for all three to survive. Needless to say we've had some excited children around here (big kids too!). I will try to have pictures next week of the twins...they are adorable.


As I was watching them try to take those first wobbly steps, I was filled with wonder. New life, triple blessings, life's surprises. I thought about when I first became a Christian..new birth..and all those wobbly steps! How many times I would take two great steps in faith only to fall to the ground with the next step. But just like the momma cow nudged her babies up, I was fortunate to have some sweet ladies nudge me up and along. Do you know a new Christian who could use a little "nudging" (aka: encouragement)? Please don't hesitate to offer encouragement when it is in your power to do so. We have no idea of the impact of our positive words. I know that my faith has been shaped by some pretty awesome women who took the time to pray with me, encourage me and just spend time with me. I'll be grinning when the Master says to them.."Well done, my child."


Sharing His wonder,

Teresa

Dancing Joy!

One of my most frequently read books, beside the Bible is Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. Love it! It has spoken to my heart for years. Everytime I read today's entry I am moved by one phrase...he is talking about "missing it" missing the chance to walk in big faith and he writes..."And what a pang will go through us when we suddenly realize that we might have produced down right joy in the heart of Jesus....." Oh! oh! oh! I so want to do that! ...produce joy in the heart of my Savior!...real joy, deep joy, smiling, jumping, dancing joy...not for me but for Him.

The kind of joy in Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. The ancient Greek word for joy literally means.. thrilled with joy! Jesus was genuinely excited in this passage. And I want Him to be filled with joy because I...His child chose to walk in big faith this day.

So...why not? What is keeping me from doing this? I have the Holy Spirit residing in this earthly body, He has thoroughly equipped me to accomplish His will...And so this day I resolved to walk in big faith and take Him at His Word and maybe, just maybe produce a little joy in the heart of my Savior.

Holy Father! My heart is full...fill me to overflowing this day with Your powerful Holy Spirit. Enable me to walk in big faith and bring glory and honor to You this day! I praise You because You are high and lifted up! You are still on Your Throne, there is no one above, beside or even close to You! What comfort that brings to me! Praise You! in Jesus precious name, Amen!


walking in His joy!
Teresa

Oh My Toe!

A week ago yesterday as I was taking a stroll across the lawn at a church pool party, a nasty sidewalk had the audacity to trip me- in front of everyone- and break my big toe (left foot, ouch, no running 6 weeks, double ouch!). Then yesterday our minister had the audacity to step on my broke toe! OK, not literally...but it still hurt...He was teaching on "Do no harm" Galatians 5:13-26. And one simple statement stuck my heart..."Do you harm others with your silence?" I knew immediately the Holy Spirit had spoken. Now normally I am a easy-going, optimist, mercy-giving kind of gal. BUT there have been many times that I have felt slighted or left out and have used my silence to do harm to that person. How? By not giving my approval, by not giving an affirming word when the opportunity arose, by deliberately walking the other way to avoid them. Gal. 5: 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Oh Father, forgive me for not keeping in step with the Spirit. I have sinned against You and my brothers and sisters. I thank you that Your Holy Spirit resides in me, Your child. Father, allow my words to be life-giving and not let me use silence to be life-stealing. I pray that this day my life in the Spirit will bring You glory and honor and a smile. In the saving name of Jesus, Amen!

TWO DAYS and counting!

School starts on Wednesday and I'm not sure I'm ready...this has been a fun summer. The children have been great and even though I function the best on routine, this is going to be a crazy year...My Gracie starts high school (don't get me started, that's another post), Cortland will be in 5Th grade and Jake 1st grade!

Keeping in step (broke toe and all) with the Spirit!

Teresa

Goodbye Reluctant Heart

Goodbye, so long, farewell- reluctant heart! For so long now I have had a hesitant, reluctant heart concerning this blog thing. Not blogs in general. I love other people's blogs and have meet some sisters-in-Christ whom I adore. I've just been so reluctant to start my own. What on earth could I possibly say that others would want to read? As I prayed through this, looking for guidance and the right balance concerning this..."it" came..softly..but there it was...God's Word from the recesses of my mind to the forefront of my heart..came Song of Solomon 2:14....show me your face, let me hear your voice: for your voice is sweet,... One of "my" verses that the God of the universe reminded me of. HE wants to hear my voice. And so I begin this blog journey taking hold of His hand and walking with Him, sharing my heart with Him and if it is His will that others read and are refreshed in heart by His Word-then so be it.

Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, Holy one who sits enthroned,
Holy is Your Name! May Your Name be glorified this day in all I do and say, fill me to overflowing with your Holy Spirit. I don't want to miss one thing You have in store for me this day. I pray that the world won't have a chance today to steal my joy. Lord, You alone know my heart concerning this blog thing and I give it all to You, for Your safe keeping. May everything I do and say be pleasing to You this day. In the saving name of Jesus, Amen

So goodbye reluctant heart...Hello refreshed heart!...I pray that every now and then another might be refreshed by the Lord when they stop by here...he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Pro. 11:25



Well it is off to a soccer scrimmage game...first one of the season...YEA!!
Blessings!
Teresa