Life

Been awhile since I have posted anything.
Life goes forward. My kids are getting big! It is exciting to see God at work in their lives. It's funny how having kids makes you think about things you wouldn't otherwise think about. I learn alot b/c of them too. I think they are a tool in God's hands to sanctify me. My son who is almost 13 amazes me sometimes. His insights into scripture go beyond his years. I think it has to do with how much discipleship my husband does with him. While my son still hasn't quite chosen to submit to God's will for his life, I believe it is just around the corner. The Lord keeps after him. It's interesting how it seems like one particular area of his life God is pursuing him in...and that's choosing on his own to be in the word and prayer. I tend to believe that as soon as my son makes this choice on his own we will see tremendous growth. School work is hard for him. God uses it to keep his attention. God wants this boy's heart! I can tell. It has helped for him to have a ministry this year in the public school. He and his sister come along with me to good news club. Tim went from this aloof attitude about it too teaching the mission lesson each week. I do believe my son has the gift of teaching. He is amazing to watch teach.
Then there is my sweet daughter. She has decided her course. And I have never seen some so determined as she to follow God. She is excited about the Lord. He is her delight. She reads and studies her bible and has a prayer journal. What a blessing to see my daughter follow the Lord.
Everyday I see the Lord at work in our home. I would not want to miss this for the world. I can't imagine choosing the worldly materials over this!
My daughter has alot of skill with her hands. I remember when she was little she loved to do things with her hands. This continues to follow her. She has only been playing the piano 8 months and is at level 3 and playing from a hymnal. Okay...so she is a very unique teenage girl. She loves hymns, doesn't want to get wrapped with boys, and hates shopping! She adores her daddy. Very rarely does my daughter argue with us. But she didn't get to this place easily. It's been a difficult passed year. She went through a sort of rebellion--that really concerned my husband and I. We were sort of side swiped by her anger after my Brother in law died. She became a different person. She also seemed suicidal. It left my husband and I second guessing ourselves. In my mom's great wisdom she encouraged us with the truth. She said God hangs on to our children tighter than we do. Don't lose heart! God isn't finished with her yet!
So true. I am glad we listened to her. I can't believe we are where are today.
So while my son now seems to be going through a difficult time and am assured that God has everything under control.
Sometimes we forget that God uses trials in our children's lives just like he does in adults. He is sanctifying our children too and we shouldn't get in the way of that. I shouldn't be there to cushion the "pain" that God intends to use to draw them close to Him.
I heard an amazing story this weekend. It was about the life of a chinese woman who gave her life for the Lord. (The book is called, If I perish"). She was in a prison because she had shared the gospel. She became so ill that they set her free temporarily so that she could get well enough to come back. When she left the prison her mother met her at the doors. She said to her that she was supposed to be where God wanted her--in prison. She reminded her that life outside the prison walls wasn't much easier for Christians. Wow! you know, I don't know that I could send my child back into torture. That seems like a big thing to ask! But isn't that what the Heavenly Father did for us?
I must make sure that my grip on my children is loose. Ready to give them up at a moments notice for the Lord. But it's a process to get to that place of willingness. So, anyway, I have been praying that I would losen my grip and give the Holy Spirit room in my children's lives. I want them to learn to hear his voice, not really mine.
Well, I have rambled.
Thanks for hanging this long with me.
Di

Why can I praise him in the storms?

Currently, I am reading a book entitled, "War of Words" by Paul Tripp. So the following are some thoughts I have gleaned from his book:

So, there lots of bible verses we have learned that teach we should be thankful always. We should praise God always. We should always rejoice. There are alot of praise and worship songs that teach the same principle. Two of my favorite songs that teach this are: "I Will Praise Him in the Storm" and "Blessed be the Name." We know this is true. We can clearly see it as a command. Definitely a way to worship the Lord. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself, "Why can I praise Him when things are going so badly?"

Think for a minute about your everyday communication...what does it usually express? Maybe we usually complain about our difficult circumstances. Tough neighbors, difficult job, disruptive kids at good news club (my personal one), unappreciative family members (husband, wife, children), defective lawn mower, heavy taxes, and the list goes on. Or maybe we are irritated toward people who get in our way? Like during rush hour traffic, child who is in the bathroom when you need it, etc. Our words even express envy toward others...like toward that non-believing neighbor who has the extra money to build on that new addition to their house, or maybe Christian friends who seem to be the object of God's blessings, or your best friend who gets that full ride scholarship to an Ivy League college.

You know, so much of our praise tends to be limited to moments when we have determined that what he has done is good. When we have good health, a new baby safely arrives, getting a good grade on a test. But many times, when the things are going "bad" --those are the times we have to remind ourselves to make ourselves praise Him. But what if we were to truly believe that God is in everything? What if we were to truly believe that God is in every single moment of my life--at work, doing something good in me, something redemptive? Perhaps if we begin to realize this and believe it, we will understand why we are to praise him in the storms. In reality, God is always doing something good in my life. ALWAYS. That is why I can and should ALWAYS rejoice and be thankful. This thought is truly humbling to me. God has us just where HE wants us so that HE can accomplish those good purposes in me that he promises to complete.

Ephesians 2:13

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."