For show and tell this week I thought that I would share with you one of my birthday gifts! Especially since I know there are a few of you who are anxious to know what was in my big box.
I must say, I have the bestest hubby in all the world! He bought me something that I have wanted for a long time and the color is one of my very favorites too! He is the greatest! Ok, so what what is the box???

Well......


It is a prayer bench/kneeler!! Take a look!





















For more Show & Tell visit Mary or Kelli.

Labels: Prayer, Show and Tell

In this life many trials and temptations will come. Some of these come as a result to our sin, but not all. They are to teach us, stretch us, and grow us. We are often attacked by the evil one; he will even use other Christians to do his bidding. When going through trials and temptations we must also check our lives in light of the Word to know if it is because of our own sin. If this is so we must repent. We need to seek to see God glorified in all situations in our lives.

While I have gone through many trials in the last year I have been learning that God does not want me to be defeated. Living as one who seeks to be humble does not mean being one who has been so humiliated that they are frozen. That does not bring glory to God. Now my husband and I are self-evaluating people. We look at ourselves, scripture, and with prayer seek the guidance of the Lord concerning when to repent and to grow into Christ's likeness. This definitely does not mean that we do not sin. We do, in fact, I think we see more of our sin this way because we are opening ourselves to the ever-exposing light of Christ.

It can be difficult however not to cross the line between being humbled by the Lord and being discouraged by the evil one. Each time we repent it should be a humbling experience. In repentance we acknowledge in full our place before the Lord. We are a fallen creature before a holy God. Thankfully, He is also loving, gracious, and merciful to His children, those who believe. We must also not let the lies of the evil one to distract us from the fact that even in our weakest moments, we as believers are children of the King. We are called to be humble and there is honor in that humility. This seems contradictory doesn't it? The key is to use that honor to keep the evil one at bay and to be encouraged but to not hold that honor as our own (thus defeating our humility & becoming prideful of our then false humility) but to lay that honor at the feet of Jesus!

I had such an experience recently. I was allowing the lies of the evil one to take over. I was feeling as if my failings had given others cause to throw my past in my face and exclaim that I was indeed the trash from the wrong side of the tracks that they had always thought me to be. I was discouraged and frozen in my effectiveness for Christ. I cried and shared this with my husband. One of my teenage daughters overhearing went and wrote me a letter. Using scripture she reminded me of the honor Christ had bestowed upon me. She said that she did not care where I had come from or what I had done in the past but she was thankful that I was her mother. She shared that she wished to be like me. That she saw me as a godly woman! She quoted scriptures displaying godly character that she thought applied to me. She closed it with this verse.

Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

What an encouragement she was to me, what an encouragement she continues to be! All I could say was thank you Lord! I know that I am nothing apart from God. All that I have ever or will ever accomplish for good is because of Christ! I am so thankful for the husband and the children he has blessed me with. They are a gift to me from the Lord which causes me to rely more and more upon the Him. They give me cause to praise and thank him each and every day for his abundant blessings. To God be the glory!

Labels: Blogging, Christianity, Encouragement, Prayer, Train Up a Child

Joy~ May my children be filled ‘with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

Courage~ May my children always "be strong and courageous" in their character and in their actions. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Labels: children, Prayer

1. Contentment~ Father, teach my children "the secret of being content in any and every situation…through him who gives (them) strength." (Philippians 4:12-13)

2. Faith~ I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them. (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40)

3. Servant Heart~ Lord, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly "as if (they) were serving the Lord, not men." (Ephesians 6:7)

4. Purity~ "Create in (them) a pure heart, O God," and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions. (Psalm 51:10)

5. A Willingness and Ability to Work Hard~ Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, "as working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians 3:23)

6. Self-discipline~ Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire "a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." (Proverbs 1:3)

7. Heart for Missions~ Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples. (Psalms 96:3)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

1. Generosity~ Grant that my children may "be generous and willing to share (and so) lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age." (1 Timothy 6:18-19)

2. Peace, Peaceability~ Father, let my children "make every effort to do what leads to peace." (Romans 14:19)

3. Hope~ May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

4. Perseverance~ Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to "run with perseverance the race marked out for (them)." (Hebrews 12:1)

5. Humility~ Lord, please cultivate in my children the ability to "show true humility toward all." Titus 3:2)

6. Compassion~ Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion. (Colossians 3:12)

7. Prayerfulness~ Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

Yesterday was a bit of a crazy day. Not that it was overwhelming busy but because of the emotion of it on top of the busyness. Two of our children had Bible Quiz and Awana Games yesterday. Awana is such a great program; it teaches believers to reach higher and to reach out with the love of Christ. We had to get all of us out the door by 7 am and drive an hour to the location where they were held. We arrived home around 3 pm.

I am again reaching out for the hand of the Great Physicians to bring healing to our home. We once again have illness within our household. I think we picked something up the last time we went to the doctor's office. I now have several children with fevers and coughs. I will have to assess the situation this morning before I decide if we are well enough to go to worship. I pray we will be able to make it, I need to spend some time, reaching out and lifting up praise and thanksgiving to my Lord in corporate worship. If we do go, we will be going without my husband because Hubby is on call today at the hospital. He left early this morning and will not be home until sometime tomorrow morning.

Another reason that I really need to go is because I have an important prayer need to share. My regular readers will remember that my grandmother passed away about a month ago. I received this information from my father, whom I have not seen in over 20 years. He called again yesterday shortly after we arrived home from the Awana events.

He is having heart surgery on Monday, February 25th. Please pray for him. I spoke with him for probably two hours. I could tell he was very nervous about the whole situation. I am dealing with some emotions that I cannot even describe. He asked if I could ever forgive him for not being there when I was a child (in a round about way). I told him I had. I had an eerie feeling that he was trying to make peace before the surgery on Monday and that he is not convinced (by other things he said) that he will survive. He is also not a Christian. We spoke about this a bit and he simply said he just cannot believe. But jokingly said maybe on Monday he would.

I am dealing with finally beginning to have a relationship with a father I barely know and the possibility of loosing him right away, and knowing that he is not a believer. This is distressing in a way that I am still unable to put into words.

Please pray for him. I feel as if he is reaching out but is still unable to grasp the only thing that can save him. I pray that in his reaching out; the Spirit will quicken his heart to believe and that he will grab onto and cling to Christ. When we are in need, reaching out and calling upon the name of the Lord is our only rescue and our only refuge. Praise be to God!!!

If you would like to lift others up in prayer, here is a list of prayer requests.

Labels: Family, Forgiveness, journal, Prayer

1. Mercy~ May my children always "be merciful, as (their) Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)

2. Respect~ (for Self, Others, Authority) Father, grant that my children may "show proper respect to everyone", as Your Word commands. (1 Peter 2:17)

3. Strong, Biblical Self-esteem~ Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are "God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:10)

4. Faithfulness~ "Let love and faithfulness never leave (my children)," but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts. (Proverbs 3:3)

5. A Passion for God~ Lord, please instill in my children a soul with a craving for You, a heart that clings passionately to You. (Psalm 63:8)

6. Responsibility~ Grant that my children may learn responsibility, "for each one should carry his own load." (Galatians 6:5)

7. Kindness~ Lord, may my children "always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

1. Salvation~ Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10)

2. Growth in Grace~ I pray that they may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)

3. Love~ Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in them. (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)

4. Honesty and Integrity~ May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.(Proverbs 25:21)

5. Self-Control~ Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be "alert and self-controlled" in all they do. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

6. A Love for God’s Word~ May my children grow to find Your Word "more precious than gold, than much pure gold; (and) sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." (Psalm 19:10)

7. Justice~ God, help my children to love justice as You do and to "act justly" in all they do. (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

1. Ask God to protect your children with His loving care, so that no evil can reach them and lead them into temptation. Pray that they will be safe from harm (Psalm 33:20).

2.Pray that your children would use Godly wisdom. Ask God to give each child a discernment about people, as well as knowing the difference between right and wrong in the actions of their friends.(Proverbs 18:24; Deuteronomy 13:6,8).

3.Pray that your children would stay pure in their thoughts and deeds, striving for God’s way of holiness for their lives (Psalm 24:4-5;Ephesians 1:4)

4.Pray that your children will accept responsibility quickly and with humility when they fall into sin. (Matthew 5: 23-24).

5. Pray that your children will be alert and thinking clearly as they study their schoolwork and in their extra curricular activities. Ask God to help them to be motivated to do the best they are capable of doing (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

6. Pray that your children will have an appetite to live the spiritual truths they have learned at home. Pray also that they will set goals and a purpose for their lives in accordance with God’s design for them. (Deuteronomy 5:29).

7. Ask God to help your children live their lives for Him, and that He will use them as a testimony and witness for His glory. Pray that they will grow to full spiritual maturity (Psalms 78:1-8, 103:17-18; Isaiah 54:13; Ephesians 3:20-21).

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Sunday Seven, Train Up a Child

O Lover to the Uttermost,
May I read the meltings of thy heart to me
in the manger of thy birth
in the garden of thy agony,
in the cross of thy suffering,
in the tomb of thy resurrection,
in the heaven of thy intercession.
Bold in this thought I defy my adversary,
tread down his temptations,
resist his scheming,
renounce the world,
am valiant for truth.
Deepen in me a sense of my holy relationship to thee,
as spiritual Bridegroom,
as Jehovah's Fellow,
as sinners' Friend.
I think of thy glory and my vileness,
thy majesty and my meanness,
thy beauty and my deformity,
thy purity and my filth,
thy righteousness and my iniquity.
Thou hast loved me everlastingly, unchangeably, may I love thee as I am loved;
Thou hast given thyself for me, may I give myself to thee;
Thou hast died for me, may I live to thee,
in every moment of my time,
in every movement of my mind,
in every pulse of my heart.
May I never dally with the world and its allurements,
but walk by thy side,
listen to thy voice,
be clothed with thy graces,
and adorned with thy righteousness.

Prayer from The Valley of Vision

Labels: Christianity, Prayer, Valley of Vision

There is great power in prayer. We are told in the book of James that "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." I learned this verse in the old KJV which says, " The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." We know that there is great power in prayer and often times the answer to our prayers is joyfully that which we requested. After all, we are told in the Psalms that God grants us the desires of our heart and in the New Testament we are told to ask and we shall receive.

But how do we respond when we do not get the answer we desire? Are we able to accept an answer we did not wish to receive? Do we argue with God, do we find ourselves feeling resentful? Do we fall into the trap of thinking that God owes us? Do we question that God is even correct in His answers? I know this sounds unthinkable but it occurs more than many would care to admit.

What this all boils down to is do we truly believe that God is sovereign? Is He really the one in ultimate control, with ultimate authority, does He really love us with a love bigger than what we as mere humans can comprehend, or does He not?

I just finished reading Job and am astounded at how much he grasped the concept of the sovereignty of God. After all that befell Job, look at what he had to say.

"But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Job 2:10

Do we have the depth of relationship with God to be able to speak in such a way?

I have often seen others who rest in the fact that God grants the desires of our hearts but they do not consider this in context.

Psalm 37: 3-5
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

We are to be trusting in the Lord, befriending faithfulness, delighting, and committing. We are to be relying upon the Lord. When one does these things we grow in grace and our desires develop into the desires of the Lord. When this happens we realize that His will in all things should be our desire. We move more from the temporal desires to the eternal desires. Our prayers will change to not merely praying for physical healing but also and foremost that the Lord would heal the heart, strengthen the character, draw others to Himself, bring comfort and wisdom, and be glorified. Our main desire is that God's will would be done and we can then rest in Him and His sovereignty regardless of the outcome.

Jesus modeled this for us when He was in the garden praying. Jesus, being God, already knew the answer.

Luke 22:42-45 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.

I believe as the scripture says, prayer does availeth much. I think that sometimes we may loose sight of the fact that what that "availing much" may be is to make us more like Christ. We will never be satisfied with the Lord if we see the availing much as only the physical desire being granted. I spoke with a woman once who told me that she demands things of God. Yes, we are able to come boldly before the throne but we should never forget our position before God. Prayer should mold us to God's desires rather than trying to bend Him to our desires.

Labels: Christianity, Prayer

There is a lady who is very special to me. She is my grandmother. I have not seen her in many years but she is often on my mind, in my heart and prayers. As I think back on her, I am reminded of how she is one of the few who gave me good childhood memories. I remember going and spending a week with her during the summers. We would go to the zoo and have fun with the gorilla, tend her rose bush, and visit and take care of great grandma. In the days when her neighborhood was safe we would walk to Tastee Freeze and visit with the neighbors. There were days where we would buy ice cream from the ice cream man who drove through every afternoon. We would sit on her porch swing for hours just talking and eating ice cream. She is the one who first told me a mother was to read to her children. She had the sweetest laugh and always a smile for me. Yet she never failed to speak her mind if she thought something was amiss. I have no bad memories of her at all. I received a call last night that she had passed away and am a bit heartbroken at the moment. Please pray if you feel so led, that God would provide comfort. That He would allow His truth and salvation to come to my family, and that by His grace my grandmother is with Him. I do not know that for sure. Please pray that I can rest in the Sovereignty of God concerning that matter and be comforted even amidst my unknowing. I love my grandmother dearly and am so thankful that God provided a grandmother such as her to bring some happiness to my childhood.


Click on the candles to go to Valerie's prayer page and please take a moment to pray for others in need.

Labels: Family, Prayer

"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
~ Psalm 34:7

"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble;
thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."
~ Psalm 32:7


"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
~ James 1:5

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him" ~ Ephesians 1:17


"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:7

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." ~ Isaiah 26:3


"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." ~ Psalm 46:1

"When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots,
and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee,
which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."
~ Deuteronomy 20:1


"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might
by his Spirit in the inner man" ~ Ephesians 3:16

"With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him." ~ Psalm 89:21


"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
~ 2 Timothy 1:7


"Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings"
Psalm 17:8

"And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee,
and thou shalt take thy rest in safety."
Job 11:18


"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

"Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them
the abundance of peace and truth."
Jeremiah 33:6


"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." ~ Joshua 1:9

"Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight."
1 Chronicles 19:13


"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
~ Philippians 2:3-4

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another"
Romans 12:10


"... Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness
have I drawn thee." ~ Jeremiah 31:3

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us"
~ Ephesians 2:4


"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:7

"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer
the righteous to be moved." ~ Psalm 55:22


"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
~ Matthew 11:28-29


"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."
~ Psalm 4:8

"When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." ~ Proverbs 3:24


"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous"
~ 1 Peter 3:8

"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus"
~ Romans 15:5


"And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people."
~ Leviticus 26:12

"...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
~ Matthew 28:20


"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."
~ Isaiah 54:13

"A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."
~ Psalm 68:5


"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm,
and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."
~ Isaiah 40:11


"Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield."
~ Psalm 33:20

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."
~ Psalm 62:5


"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."
~ Psalm 32:8

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him:
for they know his voice." ~ John 10:4


"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men"
~ Colossians 3:23

"Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men"
~ Ephesians 6:6


"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
~ 1 Corinthians 10:13


"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment"
~ Philippians 1:9

"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use
have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
~ Hebrews 5:14


"The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."
~ Psalm 121:7-8


"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God:
for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."
~ Psalm 42:5

"The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."
~ Lamentations 3:24


"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."
~ 2 Thessalonians 3:3

"The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth:
and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies."
~ Psalm 41:2


"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."
~ Proverbs 11:25

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11


"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." ~ Jeremiah 33:3

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." ~ Psalm 55:17


"My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me."
~ Psalm 31:15

"Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence."
~ Psalm 91:3


"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." ~ Psalm 34:7


"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." ~ Galatians 6:9

"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."
~ 2 Thessalonians 3:13

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
~ James 516b

Used with permission from: HsKubes' Haven at Home

Labels: Christianity, Conservative, Encouragement, Military, Prayer

John Bunyan ( 1628 - 1688 ) is considered a hero of the faith. He is a man who was imprisioned for 12 years for preaching the Gospel and is author of the famous and loved Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan clearly understood the state of man and his total dependence upon the Lord.

I would like to share with you John Bunyan's plea for prayer and may it also be the plea of every Christian.

Christians, pray for me to seek God with much earnestness, fervency, and frequently in all you knockings at our Father's door, because I do very much stand in need thereof, for my work is great, my heart is vile, and the devil lieth at watch, the world would fain be saying, aha, aha, thus would we have it! And of myself, keep myself I cannot, trust myself I dare not; if God does not help me, I am sure it will not be long before my heart deceive, and the world have advantage of me. John Bunyan

Labels: Christianity, Prayer, Quotes

Our Father which art in heaven, is the preface to the Lord's Prayer. This preface teaches us our position in relation to God; He is father, we are children, He is in heaven, we are here below, we are under His authority and care.

Luke 11:13. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Since He is our father and we are His children, we can trust in His goodness and come before Him with confidence.

Romans 8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Let us examine ourselves, how do we approach our Father in heaven? It should with confidence but also with the doting eyes of a child upon their loving father who disciplines us, teaches us, provides for us, comforts us, and also blesses beyond measure.

Labels: Christianity, Prayer, The Lord's Prayer

O Christ,
All thy ways of mercy tend to and end in my delight. Thou didst weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice. For my joy thou hast sent the Comforter, multiplied thy promises, shown me my future happiness, given me a living fountain. Thou art preparing joy for me and me for joy; I pray for joy, wait for joy, long for joy; give me more than I can hold, desire, or think of. Measure out to me my times and degrees of joy, at my work, business, duties. If I weep at night, give me joy in the morning. Let me rest in the thought of thy love, pardon for sin, my title to heaven, my future unspotted state. I am an unworthy recipient of thy grace. I often disesteem thy blood and slight thy love, but can in repentance draw water from the wells of thy joyous forgiveness. Let my heart leap towards the eternal sabbath, where the work of redemption, sanctification, preservation, glorification is finished and perfected for ever, where thou wilt rejoice over me with joy. There is no joy like the joy of heaven, for in that state are no divisions, unchristian quarrels, contentions, evil designs, weariness, hunger, cold, sadness, sin, suffering, persecutions, toil of duty. O healthful place where none are sick! O happy land where all are kings! O holy assembly where all are priests! How free a state where none are servants except to thee! Bring me speedily to the land of joy.

From: The Valley of Vision; a Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.

This meme was started on the Heart of Wisdom blog.

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Fruit of the Spirit, Prayer, Valley of Vision

Please be in prayer for my hubby today. He is having eye surgery this morning. This is what he is having done, PRK.

UPDATE: The surgery seems to have gone well, please just pray for his recovery now.

Labels: journal, Prayer

Prayer Request Sunday hosted by my friend Valerie is up. Stop over and pray for those in need!

Labels: Christianity, Prayer

About a month ago I posted on Protestant Prayer Beads and their meaning. These are not to be confused with the Rosary beads. Well, my friend Valerie has taken that post on the Protestant Prayer Beads and done something wonderful! She has taken upon herself the task of making some of her own along with a booklet of explanation! Her beads are very beautiful and are inexpensively priced! Please read through my post on the beads and visit Valerie. You just might decide that these would be a great gift for others this Christmas season!

Valerie's beads...

Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Prayer