Love Month: Days 17-22

I give up!  I can't keep up with my own idea to share the things I'm loving, the ways I have felt love, nor the ways I've shown love on a daily basis.  I will say that I'm loving life. Period.  I'm loving my boys and husband.  I'm really (surprisingly) loving my new job.  I'm loving my bible study.  I've shown love by handing out several cards over the course of the month.  I've had conversations with others that let them know I cared for them.  I've texted and made phone calls to let people know I love them.  Life is good.

Life is Great.  Lord, you have blessed me abundantly!

Love Month: Day 13, 14, 15, 16

I've had a crazy week.  I started my new job which is both exciting and overwhelming.  Here is a quick run down of things I am loving:

• I'm loving my new department.  I miss my former co-workers terribly, but I am really digging the new atmosphere of customer service.  It is so laid back!  I'm much more relaxed than a few years ago.
• I'm loving that I can sit at my desk between phone calls, surf the web, read the bible, anything!  I have quite a bit of down time, but we can spend that time any way we want as long as we are quietly sitting at our desks! 
• I'm loving that I have taken a sudden interest in learning sign language again.  I use to be fairly fluent.  I'm determined to learn how to sign a song for our next sing/praise service at church.  I am asking God to show me which song to choose.
• I'm loving that I am still on a spiritual high from last nights church service!  I love when music can minister to so many people.  Our alter was full of people praying from the beginning to the ending of service.  It was an A-Mazing time of worship and praise!

Ways I've shown love over the past few days:

• Giving Kyle a Valentines card!
• Text Messages to my friends who are going through a rough time as they accept the death of another life taken too quickly. 
• Phone Calls
• Giving compliments to others just to see them smile!

Ways I've received Love over the past few days:

• Kyle giving me a hug and kiss for no reason
• Kade asking me if I was here (home) on special assignment!  Ha!  And, my saying "Yes, to smother you with hugs and kisses!"
• Encouraging text messages from my friends wishing me well on my new job.
• Compliments from my co-workers welcoming me to my new working environment.

This month has is CrAzY busy for me =)  I'm loving, too, that you're hanging in there with me!  Thank you for your patience!

Elaine

Love Month: Day 10, 11, and 12

Wow, I thought this posting every day in February would be easy!  Ha!  I've really dropped the ball on this one, Folks!

Things I'm loving:

On Friday, My sweet Kade turned THREE!!!

Sorry about the beginning.  If you didn't notice, my camera was upside down! 

On Saturday:  We made our one and only trip to Chucky Cheese.  (Let me ask you all, did you know that when you leave CC that you have to "check out?"  Well, in our defense this was our first visit and we DID NOT know.  It apparently set off utter chaos, but that's another post.)

On Sunday:  We had lunch today at my in-laws to celebrate my and Kade's birthday.  We celebrated with the best chicken pie on EARTH!  My mother-in-law, Mary Jane, can cook!!!  She may be one of the best cooks I know. 

Ways I've shown love:

On Friday, I bought Kade a Thomas the Train cake.  He mentioned it once, and I lucked up and found one.  Okay, Okay, okay...it may be the smallest cake ever!  But after my birthday a few weeks ago, we all were just kind of caked-out.

On Saturday:  Did I mention we went to Chucky Cheese!?!  That takes some a lot of love people!  Whew!  It wore me out! 

On Sunday:  I bought some clothes for Kade from a friend at church.  Her price seemed rather low to me for all the clothes she gave us.  So, I gave her more.  Slightly less than doubled her asking price--but in my opinion it was a fairer price than what she suggested =)  And, God just told me too...

Ways I've received Loved:

On Friday:  My birthday boy was smothered with love on his special day.  He had several visits from family and friends, as well as phone calls and text messages.  We also Facetime'd with his Aunt Lisa and cousin, Dawson, who sang one of the best renditions of "Happy Birthday" I've ever heard.  They are such good sports!  Seeing all the love my kids get from the people we care about makes my heart swell with joy.

On Saturday:  My mom asked me for some advice.  It made me feel so valued as a woman that she was willing to talk to me about something so personal.  Our relationship has been rocky at times, but it finally feels as if we have a connection that both of us sought.    (It may have helped too that I talked Kyle into helping my dad go pick up a load of wood his co-worker had given my parents.  It was soooo cold outside, and since Kyle went to help my dad, my mom got to stay home.  So, I guess Kyle preformed a bigger act of Love on Saturday!  (For the record, my mom would have gone.  She isn't a girly-girl who is afraid of hard work or getting her hands dirty.  Actually, I think she was willing to go anyway.  But since the boys and I showed up with breakfast, I gave her the perfect excuse to stay home!)

On Sunday:  My mother-in-law even made cream corn for my birthday dinner.  She knows how much I love it.  As if my dinner couldn't be in better, she made the biggest banana pudding known to man!  We actually came home with an entire banana pudding which wasn't eaten.  (I'll be bringing it to Bible Study tomorrow night!)  Her hospitality didn't go un-noticed nor unappreciated.  (Thank you MJ for making my birthday dinner so special.  I love you all so much, and I am so thankful to have you, Melvin, Nathan, Lisa, David, Dawson, and Alex in my life!)

***********
Tomorrow, I begin a new journey where I work.  I really desire your prayers for a smooth transition into my new department. 

Love Day: Day 9

Today I have been a posting machine!  Ha!  I have posted 2 entries on my Sermon Notes page.

• Some Things the Lord Wants to Resurrect 
• The Key to Praying Power 

I also posted a new entry for on the Resolution for Women page. 

• I'd Like a Word With You

So, be sure you check them out =)  Now it's time for my Day of Love, so I'll keep it short and sweet.

I love that every time we drive past our church Kade says, "Bye church!  See you Sunday!  I love you!"  It doesn't matter what day of the week it is, he always says "Sunday."  It seriously may be my most favorite thing EVER.

I also love how Kohen can already count to seven!  Every day when we go up or down our stairs, we count each set of stairs.  Hearing Him say "six" is so precious.  (Too bad he thinks "Ta-dah" comes after seven.  I'm going to need to work on that!)

What are you loving?

RFW: I'd Like a Word With You (with Resolution)

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I worked on my Resolutions for Women.  I completed the first three resolutions last year when the movie Courageous came out.  I'm picking up here with my fourth resolution.


The fourth resolution is spending time in God's word.  You can read more about becoming Faithfully His by clicking Divine Appointments and Faith vs. Faithfulness.  "I'd Like a Word With You" is all about bible reading and  how oftentimes we treat it as a chore rather than a delight.  Priscilla Shirer tells us, "It's easy for us to begin feeling this way about His Word unless we realize that being faithfully His is rooted in the kind of relationship we have with it.  He has given us His word to learn from and enjoy.  To refresh us.  To call out the desire for relationship with Him that He's planted deep within our souls.  To speak to our hearts.  To show us who He is."  (page 79)

My favorite part of the chapter was the list of bible verses listed to keep yourself "grounded in who you are, whose you are, and what this glorious, eternal, triumphant fact means to  you." (page 81)  Each verse wasn't quoted directly, but was referenced so you can declare it in first person.  Here a few of my favorites:

• I will not use my tongue to speak cursings, but rather I will speak life-giving blessings to everyone I meet and in every situation I face (James 3:8-10)
• I do not look with disdain upon my weaknesses.  I see them as opportunities for God to display His powerful strength and grace through me.  (2 Corinthians 12:10)
• I have the mind of Christ; therefore I act in a way that is consistent with His actions.  (1 Corinthians 2:16)
• I will not give the enemy an opportunity or foothold in my life (Ephesians 4:27)
• I rejoice in the Lord whether my circumstances are good or bad (Philippians 4:4)
• I only allow my mind to entertain what is honorable, right, pure, lovely, noble, excellent, and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)
• I am a necessary and useful part of the body of Christ.  I will use my spiritual gifts to edify others (1 Corinthians 12:7)
• I am a brand-new person.  My old sin nature has passed away and everything has become new (2 Corinthians 5:17)

....and actually this is just a partial list of my favorites.

"Today God invites you to live a life marked by faithfulness.  By His Spirit and with the guidance and encouragement of His Word, this is an attainable goal for you.  No matter what your past has held, this resolution can mark a new beginning.  Read the resolution prayerfully and sign your name when you are ready." (page 85)

By signing my name

I will live as a woman answerable to God and faithfully committed to His Word.

This is a resolution I make of myself to my family and my Lord.

February 9, 2012

Elaine M. Killian

Church Notes from the Past: The Key to Praying Power

The Key to Praying Power

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

(Isaiah 28:9-11)

Prayer is power! It’s what it takes to begin your walk of faith.

1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

(Luke 18:1-8)

Somethings to notice about the scripture:

Vs. 1 –“faint” means to lose heart

Vs. 4-5—unjust judge refused to avenge widow’s adversary

Vs. 7—God (just of all judges) wants to hear your prayers

Key to Getting Results in Prayer:

Pray persistently to God. God answers prayers, but some prayers He will not answer immediately.

Persistent prayer:

• keeps you and me in God’s presence.
• God wants to have a personal, intimate relationship with you.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:

and he shall hear my voice.

(Psalm 55:17)

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day

and night unto him, though he bear long with them.

(Luke 18:7)

• Prepares you to hear from God.
• Teaches you to depend on God as your only source.
• Helps you define your request.
• We should pray about all decisions if we are pursuing or seeking God.
• He will always answer "Yes," "No," or "Wait."
• As you pray, your request will be redefined to be what God wants in our life rather than what we want.
• Will prove your Faith to a Holy God

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;

knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

(Luke 11:9)

**Notes from the sermon given by Preacher Dale Faulkenbury titled “The Key to Praying Power” given on 11/9/11.



Church Notes from the Past: Some Things the Lord Wants to Resurrect

Some Things the Lord Wants to Resurrect

1Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.


5Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. 8His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.


12Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.


17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?


27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 28And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 32Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.


33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. 34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35Jesus wept. 36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.


40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.


44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. (John 11:1-46)

Somethings to notice about the scripture:

Vs. 16—Thomas replies with sarcasm “Let us go with him so we can die too….”

Vs. 22—Martha exercise her faith

Vs. 34—The Lord has compassion by weeping with Mary and Martha. Yes, the Lord knew he could raise Lazarus from the dead, but He also knew Lazarus’ death was necessary to make people believe that He was Who He said He is, The Son of God.

Vs. 43—“loud voice” is the same voice who will call our name one day.

Some things the Lord wants to Resurrect in our lives:

10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

It’s not God’s will for us to walk

around defeated!

Before the Lord can take over some things, there are

• Things we must give up:
• Give up being the fixer
• Give up yourself
• Things we must give in:
• Acknowledge Jesus could heal Lazarus before he died
• Mary and Martha knew He could resurrect Lazarus after he died.
• Things we must give over:
• Mary and Martha gave over their unbelief to Jesus
• Unbelief was turned into Faith
• They put their hope in the Lord
• They put their confidence in the Lord.

Taken from the Sermon Notes of message given by Preacher Paul Deal titled “Some Things the Lord Wants to Resurrect” given on 12/21/11

**Further Reading: John 11:47-57 (began contemplating on ways to kill Jesus and Lazarus)