Stephanie’s Thoughts

Stephen recently gave me one of those great Bible illustrations without meaning to.   We were talking about fear and I reminded  him that one of Jesus’ statements to His people was “Do not fear little flock.” His statement to me was “Mom, I can’t be a flock by myself.” How true! Jesus intends for His people to stay “in the flock.” That being said, if you are not in a Jesus centered church fellowship go ahead and get in the flock. We need each other. Have a blessed day. Stephanie

One of my favorite things to do is to personalize Scripture and then pray it back to God. When used in the proper context, what prayers could be better than the very Word of God spoken back to Him. This morning, I re ad Isaiah 53. When I personalized it, some of it went like this: “Thank You, Lord for bearing my griefs and carrying my sorrows. Thank You for being wounded for my transgressions and being bruised for my iniquities.” What a wonderful, loving Supreme Being we serve! Stephanie

All I have to say this week is be sure to read “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers!

My daughter Masey is turning fifteen today. How in the world is it that she could be fifteen already. I have had alot of transition in my life over the last 2 years and continue to have more as one of mine will be going to college next year. Sometimes when I have gotten down, masey will ask me if I want to pray about it. Then she will proceed to pray over me. I cannot describe how thankful I am to have a daughter like that. I wouldn’t trade it for a million dollars. When the Lord reminds me to count my blessings, that is definitely one of the things I count. Thank you Lord. Have a blessed day. Stephanie

I must be feeling lighthearted because of the Christmas season, because this will be a very lighthearted blog. I am always getting on to the kids if they say the least slang word (probably because of my proper upbringing). Marty and I (because of our Southern upbringing) go around saying, “Where in the tarnation did I put this or that” or “What in the tarnation does that mean”, etc… This morning, just for fun, I thought I would google the word “tarnation” to see what it means. I was shocked at what it meant. I think I will take “tarnation” out of my vocabulary, unless I am using it to share the gospel about where sin leads you without Christ. Have a blessed day. Stephanie

This week, when I pray, I have come to a screeching halt sometimes after I say the word, “Father”.  It is because of Sunday’s sermon.  I know that because I am a follower of Christ I can “come boldly to the throne of grace”, but I am also realizing how many prayers I pray in Jesus’ name that may not have anything to do with His will, character, or divine purpose.  Some of my prayers have more to do with what I want or think is best.  Sunday’s sermon has caused my to “rewind” and start again with His purposes in mind.  “Lord, teach us to pray!”                    Stephanie

I am reading a book that I wish every person on this earth would read.  It is called “Redeeming Love”, by Francine Rivers.  I’m sure you can probably find it in any Christian bookstore.  It is a novel that is based on the book of Hosea and portrays so vividly God’s relentless love for His children.  It is such a life changing book, you will be glad you read it.  If anyone out there reads it, let me know.  You will love the Lord even more than you do now by the time you finish it.  Have a blessed day.      Stephanie

Continue to pray for America.  Our freedom is at stake with this election.  Pray that righteousness would win out and that the kingdom of God would spread like wildfire.  Pray for National repentance and that we would “turn from our wicked ways ; that God would heal our land”.  Pray that God’s Word would once again be upheld as the standard of living, and that when we realize that we fall short, that we have a Saviour in Jesus Christ alone.  Pray that God would cleanse us from the filth and unGodliness that has spread across our land like a cancer and that the beauty and love of Jesus Christ would once again be seen in His people; that we would once again be a light to those who are groping in darkness and trying to find a way out.  God, grant us the GIFT OF REPENTANCE that will make us the once bright light that we used to be; that “city on a hill.”   Our God specializes in “impossible” tasks.                                            Stephanie

God’s Word excites me.  I just can’t help it.  The more I study it, the more wisdom I find in it’s pages.  I am taking our high school girls through lessons on purity and I find myself delighting with the Psalmist when he exclaimed “Oh how I love your law.  It is my delight!”  (paraphrase).  If we could only understand in our modern culture that the boundaries set forth in His Word provide such protection and security.   I began reading Ephesians this morning.  Read the first 6 verses, and if you are a child of God you probably will not be able to contain yourself when you realize that our Father took us in our filthy condition, washed us clean through Jesus Christ, and adopted us to be His own beloved bride.  How amazing!  His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting.  I don’t know why He chose to lavish such Love on me, but I sure am glad!  I hope you feel that way, too.          Stephanie

If you listen to the news long enough, it will almost make you crazy.  There is so much uncertainty in America right now with the upcoming election and the economic problems we are facing.  I found myself asking, “God, what do I pray right now?”  The answer came very quickly as I started reciting “The Lord’s Prayer”.  What an appropriate prayer at this time in our nation.  “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, etc…”  We need to let our light shine more than ever, point people to the Truth of the Gospel, and be ready to show the kindness of our Lord to those around us who do not know Him.  I’ve been thinking of a song a lot lately that goes like this:  “In times like these, you need a Saviour, In times like these, you need an anchor.  Be very sure, be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock.  This Rock is Jesus, yes He’s the one. This Rock is Jesus, yes He’s the one.  I’m very sure.  I’m very sure my anchor holds and grips the solid Rock.”