BORN AGAIN...THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD! I AM A LIFE THAT WAS CHANGED!

SUNDAY IN THE SON

.

I am not the same woman who I was the last time that I posted! Oh, I have belonged to Jesus since I was born again over forty years ago. I have walked the road of faith with Him. He is my Shepherd, the Sustainer of my soul. This summer I even led you in a study of the Virtuous Woman of scripture. I have known several truly virtuous women in my life! Yesterday, God gave me a visual that I will never forget!

.

Dottie, is our secretary at the Pitman church. She has a large extended family, many of whom love the LORD. Her brother Bill, has become a close spiritual brother to my husband Steve since we have lived in South Jersey. Bill and his wife Nancy have been true seekers of God's will. Nancy, a few years older than me, died in her sleep last Sunday night.

.

Nancy's funeral/memorial service lasted over two hours yesterday. A large crowd listened to Bill and her 4 young adult children give tributes in songs, scriptures, and memories. I will forever have the video recording in my mind of her husband and children giving honor to this virtuous woman. She was described with Proverbs 31 and 1 Corinthians 13. They said that the Sermon on the Mount in her Bible was worn because she loved it so much. Sure sounded a lot like our discussions this summer: a woman who fears the LORD... a woman of worth... a woman of purpose... a woman of wisdom... a woman who surpasses them all...

.

Her favorite scripture was: Romans 14:7-9 : "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's."

.

Many stood to say that it was because of Nancy that they were able to see Jesus more clearly. This song sung by Dottie and Bill's younger sister sent a powerful message to the believers and non-believers who had gathered to honor Nancy. Please pause the play list and be sure and watch both videos... there is a huge connection... I truly am a life that was changed....

.

.

.
.

.
.

My Deliverer - Praying for a miracle for Jessica Sikes!

Thank you for stopping by. As, I said yesterday, I am committing this week to prayer for our daughter's healing. I am also starting my new full time job as university faculty and beginning a new children's Bible class at our church. Life is full! I do not plan to blog again until Sunday. In the meantime, please read my yesterday post and gather people together to pray for our daughter and our family. GIGATTAATTGIG!
.
There is already much on this blog that you can return to each day and access. Thank you for loving the LORD!

MY DELIVERER

SUNDAY IN THE SON

.

You, Jesus The Son, are my Redeemer and I beg You to be my daughter Jessica's DELIVERER! Today, she turns 26 years old and 1/2 of those years she has had major headaches 24/7. Jesus, has she not suffered enough? I am asking my blogger friends to talk to You, too. God, Your Son, who is willing to bear our sins could surely bear Jessica's pain and let her live this life pain free! Please God, I'm praying for a miracle! Yet, I know - Your timing for Your glory!

.

I've read about a deliverer in Your Word:

.

Judges 3:9 " But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them."

.

2 Samuel 22:1-4 "David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said:
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior- from violent men you save me. 4 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."

.

2 Kings 13:4-5 "Then Jehoahaz sought the LORD's favor, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. 5 The LORD provided a deliverer for Israel..."

.

Psalms 18:2-3 "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,and I am saved from my enemies."

.

Psalms 40:17 "Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay."

.

Psalms 70:5 "Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay."

.

Psalms 140:7 "O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle — "

.

Psalms 144:2-5 "He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
3 O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? 4 Man is like a breath;his days are like a fleeting shadow. 5 Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down..."

.

I've been able to focus on NOT much of anything this week for very long. We're weary in our home. Weary of years of seeing our daughter suffer... She's weary... but does not complain. LORD HAVE MERCY! CHRIST HAVE MERCY! We believe! Help our unbelief!

.

I often ask Jessica, "How do you do it... day in and day out... without getting depressed...?" Oh, I ask her that question often but this week she told me something. She said that when she was 14, she saw a documentary on children suffering in Africa. She resolved then that she had nothing to complain about. If they had so much suffering with no shelter, food, and family... how could she complain when she had all three?

.

Speaking of "the children in Africa", here are the words to the Rich Mullins song that I must sing everyday this week as I plead and petition for God's kind hand to be upon Jessica. Please reset the song on your playlist to follow along and join me in fervent prayer.

.

My Deliverer

lyrics by Rich Mullins and Mitch McVicker

.

Joseph took his wife and her child

and they went to Africa

To escape the rage of a deadly king

There along the banks of the Nile,

Jesus listened to the song

That the captive children used to sing

They were singin'

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

.

Through a dry and thirsty land,

water from the Kenyon heights

Pours itself out of Lake Sangra's broken heart (its broken heart)

There in the Sahara winds Jesus heard the whole world cry

For the healing that would flow from His own scars

.

The whole world is singing
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by
My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

.

He will never break His promise - He has written it upon the sky

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

.

I will never doubt His promise though

I doubt my heart, I doubt my eyes

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

.

He will never break His promise though

the stars should break faith withthe sky

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

My Deliverer is coming - my Deliverer is standing by

...My Deliverer is coming

.

To read what I wrote on Jessica's 25th birthday, click here:

http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2008/08/jessicas-25th-birthdaygods-timing.html

LEGACY...SING IT...

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD

SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do


.
.

Here's a little music to listen to as you eat your burger or hot dog today AND ponder your LEGACY! These are the words to the first 6 songs that will play today on this blog's playlist. They are all Nicole Nordeman songs.
.

LEGACY
.
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much
.
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world
.
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed
Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
.
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
.
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...
.
.
BRAVE
.
The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been
'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name a
nd I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...
Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything
So long, I'm gone
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
I wanna be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave
.
.
HOLY
.
How many roads did I travel
Before I walked down one that led me to You?
How many dream did unravel
Before I believed in a hope that was true?
How long? How far?
What was meant to fulfill only emptied me still
And all You ever wanted…
.
Only me on my knees
Singing holy, holy
And somehow
All that matters now is You are holy, holy
.
How many deaths did I die
Before I was awakened to new life again?
How many half truths did bear witness to
‘Til the proof was disproved in the end?
How long? How far?
What was meant to illuminate shadowed me still
And all You ever wanted…
.
Only me on my knees
Singing holy, holy
And somehow
All that matters now is You are holy, holy
.
All I have is gratitude to offer You...
.
.
HOLD ON
.
It will find you at the bottom of a bottle
It will find you at the needle's end
It will find you when you beg and steal and borrow
It will follow you into a stranger's bed
It will find you when they serve you with the papers
It will find you when the locks have changed again
It will find you when you've called in all your favors
It will meet you at the bridge's highest ledge
So baby don't look down, it's a long way
The sun will come around to a new day
.
So hold on
Love will find you
Hold on
He's right behind you now
Just turn around
And love will find you
It will find you when the doctor's head is shaking
It will find you in a boardroom, mostly dead
It will crawl into the foxhole where you're praying
It will curl up in your halfway empty bed
So baby don't believe that it's over
Maybe you can't see 'round the corner?
To hang between two thieves in the darkness
Love must believe you are worth it...
.
.
RIVER GOD
.
Rolling River God
Little Stones are smooth
Only once the water passes through
So I am a stone rough and grainy still
Trying to reconcile this river's chill
.
CHORUS:
But when I close my eyes and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change and change takes time
And when the sunset comes my prayer would be just this one
that you might pick me up and notice that
I am just a little smoother in your hand
.
Sometimes raging wild sometimes swollen high
never have I known this river dry
The deepest part of You is where I want to stay
and feel the sharpest edges wash away
.
CHORUS
.
.
GRATITUDE
.
Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .
.
(Chorus)
We'll give thanks to YouWith gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain
.
Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .
.
(Chorus)
We'll give thanks to You With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread
.
Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need
So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .
.
(Chorus)
We'll give thanks to You With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please . . .
.

LEGACY...GIGATTAATTGIG...

Building a LEGACY in Christ is happening all around me! People growing more and more in their understanding and knowledge of the Christ and wanting to share that with others. Daddies, mommies, and children are learning that no matter what the circumstances: GIGATTAATTGIG. I have some pictures that I'd like to share with you of some of the "legacies" that I've been a part of in the last few weeks - both in person or via technology. For those of you who have joined us for this summer's study - let's remember that it is the Virtuous Woman who fears the LORD that leaves His legacy - GIGATTAATTGIG.
.

Psalms 103:17 says,

"But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD's love is with those who fear Him,

and His righteousness with their children's children."

.

Proverbs 17:6
"Children's children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children."

.
.
Her name is Chloe! She is our grandaughter... and many have and are leaving her a legacy in the LORD - GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

Proverbs 14:26
"He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress,

and for his children it will be a refuge. "

.

.

Her name is Vanessa. She is my niece! She is passing on a legacy in the LORD to her young family - through her joy... her love.... both in Virginia where they have been living and now in Colorado where they are moving. She has been a huge support to her husband who recently received one of the Pentagon's highest honors for an employee. They have family memory verses, Bible stories, and songs. GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

His name is Sean. He's a friend of our family! Sean has committed to losing a lot of weight down from his 444 lbs. He wants to be around a long time for his wife and kids. He wants to leave a legacy of power, love, and self-discipline. You can watch this brother in Christ on the show, The Biggest Loser, beginning in September. You can see him in the current TV guide or on commercials advertising the fall season. GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

.

Her name is Crystal. She is our youngest daughter! I was on the road last week with her as we headed back for her next semester at college in Michigan. When we got to Detroit, we stayed with Steve's sister and family. They have such a ministry through their home on a lake. When we arrived, the house was full of teens. Their home is a safe place for their kids friends to come and hang out. They are leaving a legacy! GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

Their names are Brian and Shawna and they even took me out on the lake! Oh, it may not be what it seems. Life is tough! They live in the Detroit area where there is no morning rush hour anymore because of the lose of jobs. Yet, they are quite aware that GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

Later we headed for their "new Sonic" where our daughters sat on their "cousin Beetles". Crystal and Brianna celebrate a rich heritage that includes dozens and dozens of cousins who join them in loving the LORD as they experience that GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

,

.
After flying back to Jersey from Michigan, I joined Steve on a date.

.

Here are Christopher and Sharnice! They're a brother and sister from church who starred in a South Jersey summer musical together: Seussical! Here is Christopher as the boy with the "Cat in the Hat" and his sister, Sharnice, dressed in green. Their mom is instilling in them music and confidence as she points them toward Jesus. because GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

.

.

Here are the Wilson's, on Sunday, hosting their daughter's wedding as they celebrated together with our church family... a legacy of love... GIGATTAATTGIG!

.
Here is Cathy and Doc. Cathy showed up at the wedding in spite of her pain! God is leaving a very convicting legacy through Cathy and her years of battling health problems. She has such a positive attitude and desire to minister to others alongside her husband "Doc" - an amazingly servant hearted man. They both believe that GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

Here are "The 3 Musketeers"... and on Tuesday morning when the moms arrived for our Bible class and the kids were headed off to "Alpha / Omega Kids", these 3 precious girls realized that there moms had been to the same sale at Target. Their mommies didn't have to be "virtuous" and sew their clothes... they just got amazing deals... Their mommies are modeling and teaching them that no matter what... GIGATTAATTGIG...

.

.

Her name is Lauren! The amazing story of the week, is a daddy and mommy who have chosen to live by faith and not by sight! Yesterday, Lauren Schwamb was released from the hospital exactly one day less than one month from her heart transplant. I have learned a lot this year from this family about waiting on the goodness of the LORD even when it is not seen. They have continually modeled for us that GIGATTAATTGIG.

.

Lauren's daddy, Tim, shared something amazing on Facebook yesterday... then others followed with some thought provoking comments:

.

"Lauren was discharged after 33 weeks and 3 days

Cristi delivered Lauren after being pregnant for 33 weeks and 3 days."
.

Others said,

"Jesus lived on this earth for 33 years and

was in the tomb for 3 days."

.

"The number 3 is a complete number...

it stands for the 3 in ONE of the TRINITY."

You can connect with the

"heart transplant"

stories and follow-ups

on her parents blogs by linking up

over on the right sidebar.




Proverbs 31:28

"Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also,

and he praises her:"

.

GIGATTAATTGIG!

LEGACY...TRANSFORMING LOVE...P.K. ...

When you look at the pictures above, what do you think of?

.

My immediate thought is "work". Yet, as I spend more time "setting my mind on things above" and making some spiritual analogies, I am drawn to the following scriptures:

.

Jeremiah 9:7-8

"Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says:
"See, I will refine and test them,

for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?

Their tongue is a deadly arrow..."

.

Zechariah 13:9

"I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.

They will call on my name and I will answer them;

I will say, 'They are my people,'

and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'"

.

Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

.

.

What is it that God uses to refine us?

What is it that God uses to sharpen us?

What is His purpose in all this?

Answers to those questions start in the scriptures above!!!

.

This week, I am attending new faculty orientation, reading university textbooks, becoming proficient on new computer technology, and getting syllabus ready for the new school year that begins next week. The stress is high!

.

Oh... did I mention that our daughter(who is already chronially ill) has been extremely ill with what she thinks is food poisoning and my husband has reinjured his back this week?

.

Then, again, my house is still recovering from the summer and there has been no time to just do a daily cleaning routine...

.

There are also all the FAFSA / tax forms that were due this week for our other daughter that I stayed up all night one night to complete...

.

Some of you are experiencing worse... you know who you are: your husband had a heart attack... your child's special formula was denied by government assistance... your extended family has moved in with you... you and your husband's relationship is not doing well... you feel totally alienated from friends and family...

.

That leads me to another stress: observing and/or being part of the imperfect interactions of imperfect human beings... I have observed them in christians and non-christians alike this week. Some of it has been quite disturbing. I even listened to some major people bashing from outside my office door...

.

Yet, what God wants, from you and me, is that no matter the difficult circumstances we are going through, we need to come out on the other side...

.

"...better, not bitter!"

.

If you've read my posts from Tuesday and yesterday, you know that building a LEGACY is not always easy. Over the last few weeks, we've talked about how each new day we must "set our minds on things above". We must get God's perspective!

.

I have pondered the above scriptures this week as I pray, "God, please help me to understand the concepts of the 'refiner's fire' and 'iron sharpening iron'. Help our difficult circumstances to make us all better and not bitter."

.

How does that happen???????????????????

.

Remember Colossians 3:14? "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Over all what things? Colossians says that love binds together all other virtues!

.

TRANSFORMING LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Agape love!!!!

.

P.K.!!!!

.

Love is patient... love is kind... (and sometimes love is tough - iron sharpening iron...)...

.

Check out yesterday's post and begin your journey of TRANSFORMING LOVE!!!! It takes work!

LEGACY...OF LOVE...

WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY

.

1 Peter 4:7-8

.

"The end of all things is near.

Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled

so that you can pray.

Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins."

.

.

James 4:17

.

"Anyone, then,

who knows the good he ought to do

and doesn't do it, sins."

.

.

Fill in the blank with the name of the person you are having trouble loving. A virtuous woman loves even her enemies and knows that love covers a multitude of sins!

.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 paraphrased

.
My love for ________is patient,

my love for _________is kind.

My love for ________does not envy,

my love for ________does not boast,

my love for ________it is not proud.

My love for _________is not rude,

my love for __________is not self-seeking,

my love for _________ is not easily angered,

my love for _________keeps no record of wrongs.

My love for _________does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

My love for _________always protects,

my love for __________always trusts,

my love for __________always hopes,

my love for __________ always perseveres.

My love for __________ never fails."

NOTE: My love for ___________ is agape love...

which is the love that is of God!

.