Monday, December 31, 2007

Words To Live By

30 Life Principles By Charles Stanley

Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.

Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.

The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.

God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.

You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.

The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.

Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.

Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.

If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.

God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.

Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.

Listening to God is essential to walking with God.

God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.

Whatever you acquire outside of God’s will eventually turns to ashes.

We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.

As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances.

Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose.

Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice.

Obedience always brings blessing.

To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit.

You can never out give God.

To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.

God blesses us so that we might bless others.

Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.

Prayer is life’s greatest time saver.

No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith.

We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.

An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.

Awesome Day At Church Yesterday

Yesterday at church was AWESOME! Our youth pastor brought the message and it was a good one. It was about faithfulness, service, tithing, and how we should be in the word daily. I know God was speaking to me and Stanley. We have said I don't know how many times, that we are going to get a daily devotional started, but we never do.

We also used to tithe like we were supposed to, and when we did. everything worked out like it was supposed to, but something happened and it got to be an every now and then thing and now things aren't working so good. I don't know how we tithed to begin with because there is never enough money to pay all the bills, much less tithe, but God works it out when your faithful and obedient to him. We have to get back to tithing like we are supposed to, but it will take total trust in God because money is so incredibly tight right now.

Last night we watched The Climb during the evening servive at church. That is a real good movie. I see nothing wrong with showing a movie at church as long as it is about God. Of course, someone always has to complain about it, and sure enough, one did.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Discussion

I accidently deleted this post when I meant to update it. We ( my family and I) had been having a discussion about preachers/ministers/pastors, on whether or not they had to be ordained or licensed to preach or marry people. Well apparently in KY you don't have to be licensed to preach or marry.

This is scary ... So basically anyone can perform marriages now. Anyone can claim they are a preacher, and they can preach. That would be like me saying I am a nurse an insert an IV in someones arm without training and without a license. That is WRONG in so many ways.

Luckily, I think most churches would require ordainment and seminary before hiring a person as a pastor.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A Great Christmas

The Stevenson family had a great Christmas this year. Stanley's parents came bright and early to watch the kids open gifts. The kids all got an mp3 player, a bicycle, three outfits a piece, shoes, socks and underwear, and another PS2. Austen got two PS2 games, Tanner got a CD player and a skateboard, Coty got a PS2 game, a skateboard, and a coat. Brianna got a karaoke machine and a karaoke Hannah Montana CD, and a coat. They got gift cards and other gifts from grandparents.

I cooked a big meal, bigger than planned. We had a ham that was to die for, a juicy turkey, wonderful chicken & dressing, Au-gratin potatoes, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, macaroni and tomatoes, green bean casserole, rolls that you have to let rise before you bake, and regular rolls too, and then my sister made two chess pies and a pumpkin pie. My sister and her family, my mom, and my best friend and her new boyfriend all came to eat and visit. It was great having them all here. Stanley's mom and dad was supposed to come and eat later in the evening, but they didn't.

I feel very blessed to have had most of my family with me at Christmas. I know many people are without their loved ones during the holidays.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Getting Things Ready

Tomorrow is a big day for several reasons. First we have church, then we have to get stuff together that we are taking to a very deserving family for Christmas. Then we have to go back to church; the choir is putting on a Christmas Cantata that I am a small part of. Then I have to start getting things ready for Christmas dinner.

I am cooking a small Christmas dinner compared to past ones. I am cooking:

Turkey
Ham
Chicken & Dressing
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Rolls

My sister and her family are bringing a pumpkin pie and two chess pies. My mother is bringing drinks. My nephew may come with his girlfriend, but he probably will come only with a hefty appetite.

I wish all of my family could be here together, but unfortunately there are people in my family who cause so much "hell" for others that they don't want to be around them at all.

I am looking forward to the food and having my nieces and nephews here ... my nieces are the clowns in the family that keep us all laughing with their jokes and little skits they do. I can't wait.

But most of all I'm looking forward to celebrating my savior's birth and looking back over the year, counting all my blessings and thanking my heavenly father above for all of the gifts he has given me and my family.

I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas filled with all of God's blessings! Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

I'm Thinking ...

#1.
I have drowned in self-pity long enough, it is time for me to raise my head and think about the good in my life, and not dwell on what really stinks. Satan was showing me EVERYTHING that is wrong in my life, trying to convince me that I don't have anyone to turn to, and I started thinking "Why am I even here?" - He may make me feel bad for a little while, but he can't steal my joy because I have hope in Jesus Christ, and I can turn to HIM in times of pain and need.

#2.
If I had known raising teenage boys was going to be so hard, I would have petitioned for a puppy instead. I love my kids, I really do, but sometimes I just want to put them to sleep until their 20. You know what I'm talking about. I mean really, I know what my parents would have done to me if I said and did the things my kids say and do.

#3.
Our biggest problem (Stanley's and mine), is that we can't agree on discipline, and we go about it all wrong. I sometimes wonder why God even gave us kids because we really STINK at being parents. There are so many people in this world who can't have kids, who would raise godly children, but God gave us kids ... I'm beginning to question God's sense of humor.

#4.
My last post made my church look bad. My church is awesome! I love my church, I just think it is so big that the only people the pastor has time for is the people who work in or help run the church. There are a few people that have made it clear that they wouldn't spit on me if I was on fire, but hey, that's life. I don't worry about it, and leave it for God to deal with. - I do have several people I could turn to in the church, I'm just not so sure if that is a good idea. I think if anything, we need general counseling to help us raise these kids in a godly fashion.

#5.
When you don't raise your kids in church from birth, you really MESS UP! See I was basically taken out of the church I'm in now - I'm thinking at age 10 or 11, (because my mom had issues). I visited a few churches with friends as I grew older, but nothing regular. I just got so far away from God that it took over 20 years for me to come back. It's pretty sad when you've been a member of a church for 25 years, but only attended for three or four years (at the most). I can't make up for time lost, but I can do my best to raise my kids right from now on. Something that is proving to be very challenging.

#6.
I am no longer volunteering for anything while I am active in school, except for Revive. The only reason I will for Revive is because God called me to do that and it is something I am very passionate about and believe in. God has really pulled me into that ministry, I do a lot more than coordinate two walks, but God is in control; HE is doing it all. I am just allowing HIM to do it through me, though I have argued with HIM about it a few times :)

#7.
I was just way to busy with stuff at church this semester and ended up with a 2.692 GPA for the semester. Luckily God was on my side and my cumulative GPA is still "OK" with a 3.065. Thank you God! I have to keep my GPA up for the nursing program. I believe God called me to be a nurse, so I need to make sure I don't spread myself out too thin and ruin my chance.

Well that is all I have been thinking about lately. I will one day look back on this and think "Wow, God got me through it all" ... I can't wait. I am praising HIM already because I know HE will see me through all of my issues.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Frustrating

I was asking for prayer from my SS teacher when I came to realize that I don't feel accepted or worthy enough to ask for help from my church right now. That's really sad you know? When you feel like people don't have time to mess with your needs, something is really wrong.

My sister tells me how she talks with her pastor and how close she is to the people in her church. I am envious of that because I don't have that kind of relationship with my church. I have tried, Lord knows I have tried. But for some reason I can't get to that point.

I'm just going to give it to God, go read my bible, and see what HE says.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Prayer Request

I am asking for prayer for my family. We put on a big smile a lot of the time when actually things are pretty bad. Satan is playing a sick game with us and he is slowly tearing our family a part. Only God can fix it. Please pray for God's healing hand to intervene and fix this problem. Otherwise, I'm not sure how long it can hold together.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Revive Prayer Walks In Your Local Schools

Have you heard of Revive? If not than your in for a treat. Revive is a Christian ministry that goes around praying for local schools. This is a legal event because the prayer walk takes place when school is not in session and the school isn't the one who organizes it.

Watch the YouTube Video:



Many schools are involved, but if your school isn't involved, and you would like to get one started, please go to http://www.reviveprayerwalk.com/find/ and add your school. All it takes is to contact the school or school board, ask for permission, set a date, get someone to unlock the doors (if possible), and then get the word out!

God is moving in these schools and it is amazing to watch and be a part of. Go on and get one started in your schools ------> http://www.reviveprayerwalk.com/find/

See you on the battlefield!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

God Bless You!

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker. (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1:5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted As God's child (Eph1:5)
I belong to God

'The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward youand give you peace.' Numbers 6:24-26

Friday, December 7, 2007

Thank God It's Over!

I am done with school until next semester! I still have to take my A & P final exam on the 13th, but now that I know that I can make a 68 and still keep my "B" in the class, I'm not stressing over it. I am stressing over my psychology grade though. I am hoping to get a "B", but it looks like I will probably get a high "C" instead. It's all good though, I am just thrilled that it is over!