As I continue to think about suffering for Christ, reading more and meditating more, I have been very weary. I also have noticed that I have been pretty "short" with people, especially Adam. I get frustrated and have a wall up, unintentionally, but leading to a mean and deffensive spirit.

I have come to realize that I am not leaning on Christ. I am not praying like I should be and I'm being beat up in what I think is Spiritual warfare. I think about doing this and that "in His steps" but have not fought in prayer. I have not utilized the most powerful weapon that God gives us.

It timed out well, that the Desiring God blog is about prayer and that this is their prayer week. I will also strive to focus on prayer this week and learn more about what it means to really depend on and walk with God.

Andrew's New Favorite Activity... Opening And Closing This Door.

Posted with LifeCast

suffering for Christ or lack there of

"...who are being protected by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials..."

1 Peter 1:3-7 has been tugging at my heart. It speaks of being protected by God's power through faith, about suffering through trials and testing your faith, and about the inexpressible joy that you receive when your faith proves strong sanctifying you and working in you the salvation of your souls.

I've also been reading In His Steps.
"The imitation of Jesus which had begun with the volunteers in the church was working like leaven in the organization, and Henry Maxwell would even thus early in his life have been amazed if he could have measured the extent of desire on the part of his people to take up the cross. While he was speaking this morning, before he closed with a loving appeal to the discipleship of two thousand years' knowledge of the Master,many a man and woman in the church was saying as Rachel had said so passionately to her mother: “I want to do something that will cost me something in the way of sacrifice.” “I am hungry to suffer something.” Truly, Mazzini was right when he said that no appeal is quite so powerful in the end as the call: “Come and suffer.”

Basically, I feel my life is so comfortable. I can't really think of any way that I am really suffering or any trials that I am going through. I can't help but wonder if I'm missing out on something. I want to experience the fullness of the joy that God gives when you follow Him completely sold out. I don't know what that means, but am praying for God's call to be made clear on how I can better follow Him daily.


Now, don't get me wrong... I know that following Christ may not always have "dramatic" evidence of suffering or trials. However, I feel a call to something more. I feel that in order for me to grow, I have to "go". GO and make disciples, GO and serve the poor, GO and take up my cross. This is a day to day battle and there are opportunities right under my nose that I should take as well as opportunities to step out more in the community.

Please pray for God's guidance and growth for me as I seek to follow Him more closely.


NO SCAR?


Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?



BY AMY CARMICHAEL,

IRISH MISSIONARY TO INDIA FOR 55 YEARS

Little Fisherman

Posted with LifeCast

missing New Orleans

Today I stumbled across a cd of New Orleans music for children. Of course I got it for Andrew's stocking! I mean he does have to know and love music and culture, especially from New Orleans! Guess what I did when I got to the car? I like to call it "preview". I mean, common parents should always listen to their children's cd's before giving it to them, right? Well, my feet were tapping and my head was bobbing as I listened. Not only that, but I longed to be in New Orleans. Now I want to go to Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, the Strawberry fest, and every other fun place in New Orleans. The zoo, the aquarium, St Roch, Desire, Marigny, Deannie's, Yum....and Rachel's! I'd like to top it off with a bananna's foster cheesecake from the Cheesecake factory....
I think I just discovered my happy place! When I got home I did put the cd back in its case and into Andrew's stocking, but let me just say, I'm glad the little guy rides in my car so much!!!

Holidays

This year I have been so busy that it hardly feels like we are in the holidays. Working in retail for corporate america is no fun during Thanksgiving and Christmas. On top of that I am busy with starting a business and trying to somewhat maintain the home, while at the same time love and care for Andrew.

I am in prayer that Christ would be glorified this season despite all that is going on around me. I desire to grow in Him and point to Him. I want to be more bold in sharing my faith to those around me. Chances are coming daily at work, now I want to follow the Spirit's prompting and speak up when He leads me. Please pray that my coworkers, customers, fellow artists, and family would see Christ through me. Pray they would know him as their Savior and friend.

catch up

This is a brief post to try to get back in the habit of posting. Unfortunately, several times I have tried posting from my iphone with no luck. Oh well! We are doing great. Andrew is not crawling, but finds a way to get where he wants by rolling, scooting on his butt and crawling in reverse. He's also got one tooth so far. He likes to dance to the rhythm of music and he can recognize certain words and pictures. It's been amazing to watch his personality taking form. He is very active and loves being outside.

I'm continuing to work hard on a.m. Life and have several shows coming up. Between that, work, Andrew, and the house, I stay very busy!