Thoughts of the Day

This morning I had some thoughts running through my mind, so I felt the need to put them down.....


Recently, there was a challenge issued at our church regarding the topic of prayer, and it's been something that I've taken to heart.  The truth of the matter, it had been in my heart for quite some time before the sermon on prayer and the challenge, so it was kind of a confirmation of what I was already feeling. 


In dwelling on the topic, I had a "train" of thoughts that followed the topic and that is what flows freely through my thoughts this morning.....and if for no other reason, I write them that I may return and read them again for myself.  


I've recently read some of the writings of the great Smith Wigglesworth and it has challenged me beyond measure.  This particular quote on prayer follows along the lines of my thoughts (and is probably the trigger for them) so I'll include it.....


"Prayer is God working through us and from us, to pull out of heaven and into earth His desires, which He placed in us, and made alive and then activated by faith.  God and man, working together to get His will from heaven to earth, from the spirit to the physical." 


If you recall, God already knows our needs before we pray about them.....however, he says you have to ask before you receive.  


This morning while I was praying and thinking along these lines, two scriptures came to mind Psalm 37: 3-5....."trust in the Lord, and do good, so shall thou dwell in the Land and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass."


Mark 11: 22-24...."Have faith in God...For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them. 


Now the second scripture is the words of Christ himself.  With promises like these.....I've sure got some pretty solid footing!!  A sure foundation!  I can pray my feeble prayers as much as I'd like, but when I begin to pray what God's word says, it changes everything.....I am prone to fail.....but God's word is sure and he keeps those promises - to those who will dare to believe and trust him!  And....I do believe I'll take Him at His word.....


So don't just pray.....pray believing.  In the meantime.....also remember Hebrews 10: 35-36...."Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."


See.....I told you it was a train......


Cast not away your confidence because God defers his performances.  That which does not come in your time, will be hastened in His time, which is always the more convenient season.  God will work when He pleases, how He pleases, and by which means He pleases.  He is not bound to keep our time, but He will perform his word, honor our faith, and reward them that diligently seek Him........- Matthew Henry.  


Excuse me for a minute while I praise Him for his promises and His word.  He is ever forever faithful!!

New Blog Feature

I have added a blog component to Chaotic Lives that is a tribute to my dear little sis.  I've been working on this project for a couple days and hopefully by the time the sun goes down today, it will be in working order....


I'm sure many will not be interested in this feature, as it is a family heirloom.  There are things in life that are of not much value to others - but it's the memories that go along with it that make it priceless!  I'll not go into details about this feature...if interested, click on the links in the upper right under the title "Links for Laura" to hear some of the greatest music to influence our childhood!  I can still remember the big record player sitting next to the glass sliding doors in the back of the living room with the records / LP's stacked below that offered us most of the entertainment we enjoyed as kids....


The memories that this tribute offers is something I want Laura to be able to share with her two as I have shared with Addison.....These are not videos, by the way....only for listening.  They are private videos and the only link to them is found on my blog.  You are welcome to share with anyone you'd like, if you find something you want to share.....however, they are only available through the links.  No search will find them.  Also in case you care to listen, the first song skips for a couple seconds, but it gets better.  I'm surprised it's not worse as much as it was played!  


Happy Listening!  

"THE" Solo

Since distance separates from life's moments, I decided to capture one and allow you to see it for yourself.  This is Addison's first solo in church without her trusted little band of choir members she joins every Sunday night!  And the truth of the matter is, she actually thought they were going to be with her this time too.....she was tricked.....not by me tho.  I was nervous enough because I hadn't a clue what to expect!  Anyway, here goes.....

Comfort vs. Punishment - Didn't know that were THAT similar!!

A couple weeks ago, Addison was given the assignment to memorize the 23rd Psalm. It's due tomorrow.  In case you wondered....that's a bit lengthy, but she is doing quite well with it....or so I thought.  

Since it's due in the morning, I have been practicing it throughout the evening with her.  She's done great, and all of a sudden decided she wanted to recite it without my help at all.  I agreed to let her have at it!  I was so glad I did because it ended up being an unforgettable event!

With all the strength she could muster up, she took a deep breath and started her recitation with great confidence.  "The Lord is my Shepherd.....He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness......Yeah tho I walk through the valley......(here's where it gets good)....I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they PUNISH ME!" 

Have you ever felt punished by the rod vs. being comforted?  Just wondering if Mom and Aunt Lin were the only ones that felt that way!!  Just sayin.......  :-)  

Just couldn't resist telling about it!  

I Just Love Good Memories!

Anyone who knows me remotely, knows that I'm probably at the top of most of their lists when it comes to who is the most sentimental! Especially Jeremy....poor thing had never known the likes until he married me! It took some getting used to, but we're getting there!! LOL!!

Anyway, usually around PFYC time, I feel a little bit of my sentimental side grab ahold of me and jolt me to my core. It's especially easy to allow that to happen when someone bangs on your hotel door at the most in-opportune time...just to open it up to old friends and the kid you knew as a silly wide-eyed 2 year old standing before you all grown up and is, all of a sudden, one of the beautiful teenagers you ever did see. It's all a bit overwhelming. ...

Then you run into kids you used to babysit and now he and his little family are posing to take pictures with your own kid.........WOW~ am I really that old?!?! I guess so.....seems a bit impossible.

Then you run into your own childhood friends and your kids hit it off playing together as tho they were the ones who had been friends......you just have to love great memories.

Speaking of memories, I have some that I'm going to post shortly that will definitely bring back the memories. But, that'll be a couple days. I'm still putting that one together in my head. When it all comes together, I'll put it down permanently. I'm still "dwelling" on it.

Anyway, yesterday I spoke with a old friend (she's not old, by the way....just go WAY back!).....That was a great experience! There's nothing like touching base with not just acquaintances, but old friends! The memories for me are endless.... One thing I discovered and can appreciate in someone like her, boils down to the word that puts me up on my soapbox....Consistency! I cannot begin to express to you how wonderful it is to lose touch with someone for a period of a few years to relocate them and realize they were the same as when you had known them before. There's just too many that chase after the wind these days.....it's completely refreshing to see someone who's been steady as a rock. So, Missy, thank you for that! I'm sure we all have someone in our lives that fall into that consistent category that we are grateful we don't have to wonder what they're going to be like the next conversation!

A quote my dad used to say goes like this...."make a friend with a child, and you have a friend for life!" I'm proof....this is true!! I just love a good memory!!

The Trip to Visit the Grands

Just a few snapshots I caught on my phone.....as I forgot my camera at the hotel every stinkin' time!! These were a couple of my favorites. I was unable to capture one with Addison and Papa Ray. Oh well....maybe next time! We were able to visit Grandpa in the nursing home. He actually recognized me and remembered my name (which surprised me), but he hadn't a clue who Jeremy and Addison were. It was a riot of a visit! Many funny moments!

On Our Recent Trip to Space.....

....we were able to capture a couple pictures!! ;-)

It's About Time!

I guess after a near 9 month sabbatical, it's about time to resurface into the blogging world, heh? It seems that it's been just a few weeks ago that my little girl started school and here we are already at the end of the school year.....it's CRAZY!! I cannot believe it! Looking at the picture of almost 9 months ago, doesn't even look like her much any more! And before you know it, the next new school year will begin.....since we only have to do this 13 times, I'm projecting time will shoot by faster than I will or could appreciate! Jeremy keeps begging her to stay this size since she's so cuddle-able! However, the brick on the head trick hasn't worked so far, and I'm assuming no other tricks up the sleeve will work either!! It's kinda sad!

Anyway, we're enjoying the moments as much as possible. She's loving school and the growing experience, so I guess we might as well hitch on and enjoy the ride as much as we possibly can at this point - since options are pretty limited!!

I hope to post some recent pictures of some travels over the past couple of months! Our choir has had a few obligations, so the pics will be from those opportunities!

Hope everyone is well....as with us, I'm just assuming your life is as fast paced as ours!