One Word Prayers

The other day I came across this in one of my online devotionals.  I wanted to share it with you all.  It also made me think of how I could pray for my children using one word to focus on with God.  So below you'll find the words I chose for each of my children to pray on. 

 (I did not write the beautiful words below in the poem)

I just breathe the name of "Jesus"

when my heart is filled with fear.

And though I cannot see His face,

I know that He is near.

When I whisper "Jesus" softly

I'm admitting I'm in need.

By calling out that precious name,

my stress-bound soul is freed.

It's a one-word prayer I utter 

when I'm not sure what to pray.

It's a prayer of sweet surrender

when I'm weary of "my way".

I pray "Jesus" when I'm worried

or when I'm depressed.

I say "Jesus" when my mind's confused

or when my life's a mess.

It's a prayer He always answers

as He gives me eyes to see

evidences of His presence

and His tender love for me.

Dillon.  His word will be Revelation

1.  God's vast love for him

2.  God's amazing plans for his life

3.  His identity in Christ not in his circumstances 

Kyle.  His word will be Crave

1.  God's word will become known and sought after in all areas of his life.

2.  God is the truth and His truth will live in his life.

3.  God is the way and His way will shine through his life as he grows closer to Him.

Karlee.  Her word will be Comfort
1.  God is with her always.
2.  God is the one who teaches, guides, soothes, and stands with her in her life as she grows.
3.  God will bring peace, hope, joy and love to her always.

Sara.  Her word will be Seek
1.  God will provide for all her needs.
2.  God is always with her and does not leave her side.
3.  God will provide her strength and power as she leans on Him.

A Heavy Heart

These are some verses that have helped me lighten my heart, have comfort and peace knowing that the Lord our God is with me during times in my life I feel like my heart is heavy.  They encourage me and give me hope too.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

    Philippians 4:6

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;    Philippians 1:6

Psalm 91: 14-16 (The Msg)

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,

"I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the care

if you'll only get to know me and trust me.  Call me and 

I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;

I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.  I'll give you a

long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"

What more is there really to say.... except comfort and peace, thank you Lord.

A Glimmer of Hope

There are moments that I'm discouraged.

But during those times a glimmer of hope sparkles.

You don't let the moment gleam through often.

Sometimes the glimmer shows up in the words you say

actions expressed

in your teasing funny way

or in the silence and look in your eyes

but if I look instead of being dismayed I will

see that glimmer of hope beaming brightly for that instant.

It only takes a minute to feel inspired again.

And in that glimmer of a second it radiates with hope,

  helping me to keep moving forward. 

Hanging on tightly with the love in my heart for you

and hope in my hand to grow closer to you

as we share our lives together.

Observations & Odd thoughts

my kids don't like when I'm not home in the evenings.

I'm suppose to know where everything is....."mom where are my shoes?" well I don't know its not like I wore them last

everyone knows how to make a sandwich but apparently I make it better...with love

when I don't get enough sleep I suffer through out the day and possibly others around me...sorry

my children are growing and changing so quickly

if I don't put things out there with love then the others response isn't in love either

in the long run it is cheaper to buy the yummy ingredients that you need to make your own wonderful "Starbucks" coffee drinks

children know just when the right time to give you a hug when maybe you think you don't want one

God is always working my life even when I don't think he is

not having good luck with the little cactus plants that I brought home this summer from my mom....I at least thought I couldn't kill a cactus...seriously  :(

when your spirits are low...pay someone a complement and you both will be smiling inside and out

God gives us grace and we should give grace to others...especially our children.  When grace is given its amazing what happens next....

I'm thankful that Micah has plenty of work but its hard at times dealing with him away working.  I can't wait until his job in Camp Verde is complete.

The pantry is full, the fridge is full with food yet the kids still can't find anything for snack after school.  I really don't understand :)

I love looking at all the trees that have changed to fall colors

its odd how much better I feel about myself after shaving my legs that hadn't been shaved for a few days since the weather is cooler....funny and odd what can I say!

I'm so glad that I know how to use the grill to cook on instead of waiting for the man of the house to come home and use it....I actually enjoy grilling on the grill.

If there is just one dish in the sink for a brief amount of time...it gives the impression to the kids that the dishwasher is full and they should pile their dish in the sink too.  (the dishwasher is usually available)

I'm looking forward to seeing my mom in a few weeks for Thanksgiving.

Silence Please

Yesterday morning I was studying 1Peter 3 and Proverbs 31.  I read them out loud then I wrote some notes as I re-read them.   I wanted to remind myself my role as a Godly wife.  I have read those verses and my mentor and I have discussed them but I wanted to look at them closer.

This what I got out of it:


1 Peter 3

• be responsive to my husbands needs
• cultivate inner beauty, gentle and gracious
• pure and reverent lives
• gentle and quite spirit
• won over by behavior without a word
   
• Learn in silence with all submission (behavior not words can influence my husband)
• A gentle person is not occupied with self
• Live peaceably with others, God is the path to fix not mine. There is no room for quarrelsome attitude, nagging or babble

Proverbs 31 

• to be kind
• patient, willing and eager to help
• prepared
• rises early to get breakfast for husband and gets out the door for school
• strong
• caring for her family's needs and not self
• available to family
• helpful and giving
• respectful
• strong, capable, confident
• brings good not harm
• reliable, dependable, loyal
• contributes to family
• happy and cheerful
• loving and kindness when she speaks
• keeps organized and runs household
• serves, gives and loves family 
• plans ahead to accomplish task
• recognizes need for God and His way not hers  
• knows that all her needs will be provided by God 

(It is interesting to look back and see how my day started and what thoughts or situations continued throughout the day.  It seems that there was a plan that was set into motion yesterday with me studying those passages.)

Yesterday I went to my husbands follow up  doctors apt. While we were there we talked some, I'm really not sure how we got on the subject but we did.  Oh wait a minute we were talking about his blood pressure and being tired and teasing each other that there is never any stress in our lives.

He shares with me that there are two things that cause him stress.  He said his job and me.  I know really.....me....but why?  Well he says that it would be better if I kept silent sometimes....well most of the time.  He says that when I'm frustrated or upset I try to work things out verbally out loud and that causes him stress.  He doesn't want to hear everything that goes on in my head.

At first I felt like he just would be happier if I didn't exist at all.  But what he was really saying was that at times silence was better.  Maybe I agree some and maybe I don't.  Its hard being a woman and wanting to matter and count and be understood and heard.  But what I'm discovering is that its not so much of what I say that gets his attention but its what I don't say, its what I do.  I have discovered the truth in that myself and then I've read God's word on the subject too.  But its hard at times....I will be honest its not easy for me to keep my mouth shut.

After our light conversation on the matter I laughed a little about it but then I was concerned about it too.  I will pray about being a Godly wife with my Lord's help.  I pray that he will help me to shut my mouth when needed and to open it when its needs.  I pray that he will help me to speak kind words and to be patietnt when I speak to my husband.  I pray that I will respond to him out of love.  I pray that my actions will speak far louder than my words.

Dive In-He is There

Dear Lord,
Help me to dive into a deeper relationship with you.  Help me to surrender to you.  To trust you Lord.  Help me dive into Your word.  Help me to dive into my life and all that comes with it to bring you glory and serve you Lord.  Amen

Okay Lord....I'm going to jump in now.  I'm diving in, deeply in are you ready to catch me Lord?
Thank you for being there now and always.

God is Faithful

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28


Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.  Deuteronomy 7:9


The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think.  No, he is being patient for your sake.  2Peter 3:9

God's designs regarding you, and His methods of bringing about these designs, are infinitely wise.  Madame Guyon

Dive In (Session 4)

"Dive In - To Fulfill Your God-Given Destiny"  Jesus was used as the example

Jesus is the way.  He is the only way.  Jesus is the only example that shows us how to live intentionally.  He shows us how to be in perfect balance with God.   He shows us how to triumph in all our trials.  He shows us where the strength that we need to overcome our trials comes from.

His Holy Word

Jesus' relationship with his father was the way and is the way.  A relationship with God is the key to fulfill our God-given destiny.  When we walk in the things He directs in our paths with Him is the way to Him and through our storms of life.  This walk will be different for everyone but it offers opportunity to share with others our stories so that they can reach that amazing point where they too can walk with Him and make it through their storms of life too. (through His way)

Heavenly Father, help me make your plan my purpose.  Place the desire in my heart so that I can completely commit to follow your purpose.  You know what I need and when I need to know and how to make it through every storm in my life.  Help me to position myself in the place where I can reach that intimate place with You.  Help guide me into quite time to be with You. Help me to always make time for you and never to push you to the side.  Help me to be intentional in thoughts, words and deeds.  Help me to do as your son Jesus did....to surrender to You and Your plan.  

You are the way Lord.  Amen