My Praises for Today

Praises From a Wife and Mommy posted the question today:  What are your praises?  And I thought I'd answer on my blog.

• God is growing me, teaching me, and using my gifts (prophecy)
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• I have been able to speak into 2 people's lives about God healing the Rosacea that I used to have.
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• God has given me opportunities (I stay home A LOT and homeschool our kids) to get out and approach strangers for His sake and theirs.
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• We are getting a huge snow storm and it's exciting!!
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• I got blessed with another blog gig.
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• I had a Starbucks!  Mmmmmmm....
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• Speaking praise in advance:  God is going to provide a wonderful place for us to live!

AMEN!

There are so many more but I don't want to bore you!  :)

What are your praises for today?

How I began to fast ~ Fasting Part 1

Several people have been interested in finding out more about fasting.  I'm no expert but in having to tell others, I will have to learn more myself.  I love that!

I am going to share my story and a few facts, then I will make another post with more information.

In August of 2008, the LORD told me to do the "Daniel Fast."  I had no idea what that was; I had only heard the term.  Naturally, I looked it up on the internet and then spoke to my husband about it.  He said that he would think about this and get back to me. 

(Please know: I am NOT about to bash any denomination.  I am just telling my story.) 

You see, we had both grown up in Baptist churches.  (Two different denominations, actually.)  After we married, we went to 3 different Baptist churches.  We had never heard about fasting.  That wasn't something that was taught in any of the churches.  I'm sure that there are Baptist churches that DO teach and encourage fasting but not the churches that we had attended.  Fasting definitely wasn't something that we understood.  On a lighter note, fasting and fried chicken don't mix!

Back to August of 2008

After 3 days, my husband said that he'd like to try the Daniel Fast.  Basically, it's taken from Daniel
chapter 1 and chapter 10.  You eat only the things that God made and no meat.  You can have anything fruit, veggie, whole grain, seeds/nuts, or legumes for 21 days. 

We did our first fast during harvest time. To be honest, because it was harvest time, that made it soooo easy!  Veggies were all over the place and they were GOOD! 

The hardest part was breaking the sugar addiction.  You may think to yourself, I don't have a sugar addiction.  Yeah, that's what I thought until I didn't eat any for a few days.  I was a very healthy eater (compared to most) and I didn't think I had a problem.  Needless to say, both my husband and I broke any addictions to sugar that we thought we "didn't have." ;)

The benefits that came from our first fast:

• Spiritual growth - God revealed things to us and grew us tremendously in knowledge, faith, gifts, insight
• Monetary blessings - Money poured in all the time!
• Physical blessings - Gifts came from several places
• Weight loss - Pounds came off of both of us very quickly
• Our bodies and spirits were cleansed from the inside
• The VERY BIGGEST blessing for me was my healing - After 2 weeks of being on the Daniel Fast and totally focusing on God, I was healed of Rosacea.  I had suffered with this disease for 8 years!  You can read my story here:  Rosacea Cure.

I am STILL Rosacea FREE and I serve an awesome, 

almighty God!

Part 2 is on the way!


photo credit

What did the boy say at church today?

Every year, our church has a fun night called "The Ugly Outfit Contest."  You get the ugliest clothes you can find and wear them in hopes of being crowned "the ugliest."

One of the older ladies in our church (80's) has her grandson (9) every weekend and they were discussing the contest.  He told her, "Grandma, you should just go naked!  After they see all those wrinkles, you're sure to win!"  LOL!!

photo credit

Fasting

Ending my 21 day fast tonight.  I'm thinking about ending it with this giant burger!  :)

Just kidding.  I have to admit, a small slice of this would be very FUN to eat!

Are you ending a fast today?  How are you celebrating?

Weekend Blog Hops

 
Weekend Blog Hop!
What blog hops are you participating in this weekend?
Here is a HUGE list of hops:  
Blog Hops For the Weekend!

What version do you use?

1.  I'm curious... What version of the Bible do you most use and why? 

I know that this is a hot topic but it is an interesting one to me.  I am not asking for you to trash talk other versions.  I want to know why YOU use the one that YOU use.  

2.  Have you done research (I mean REAL research) into the version that you use in order to choose it over another?

 MY BIBLE

You can find this Bible on AMAZON here:

New Inductive Study Bible-NASB [B-NS-HRV BUR] (Leather)

What version do I use?  I use the NASB.  When my husband first started to preach, he used his NIV.  That is what he was reading from so that is what he preached from.  The time came to get a new Bible so he did some research.  We found out that the NASB is the closest translation that we can understand and use so that is where the LORD led.

We have a bunch of versions and even a collection of very old Bibles.  One of them even looks like it's some sort of goth Bible from the dark ages (or a long time ago anyway).

I really like to use http://www.biblegateway.com/.  You can look up any passage in any version online.  There are TONS of versions.

Now, a little about my Bible.  Once I decided to go to the NASB and leave me NIV, I found the New Inductive Study Bible put out by Precept Ministries.  It doesn't have chapter headings, there are no notes, and it leaves room on the sides for writing.

I LOVE it!  It's kinda huge but I love letting the Holy Spirit lead even in filling out the chapter headings!

So, anyone else want to chime in?


PS
This is a combined repost.  I have more followers now and wanted to ask again.  Thank you for participating!

Widow - To Sin or Die

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised!  This woman's story is common in India.  I have a friend who is a pastor's wife in India and she helps many widows just like this one.  I hope to tell you about my friend soon.  Until then, you can hear about this woman's story.

What would you do?

Hearts On Fire Friday ~ Honor and Respect

<sup>LINK UP!! (at bottom)


Ephesians 5:33
33</sup>Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

A man's number one need is respect.  Notice that the verse didn't tell wives to love their husbands; it said to respect him.  A woman is full of love but respect is something of a mind change.  Sometimes, we need to change the direction our mind thinks in order to go into the direction of respect.

How many shows and commercials on TV put men down?  Do you allow them in your home?

I encourage you to start today.  Find some ways that you can show respect for your husband.

Here are some things that I do:
Don't speak to him like he is a child (God has made you one with him)
Don't manipulate him with sex
Don't bad talk him to others
Do praise him for something (anything)
Do praise him (genuinely) in front of others
Do call him a special name that he likes
Do express faith in his abilities
Do encourage him in areas that he is weak (you were created to be his helpmate)

What are some ways that you can show your husband respect?


Link UP!!

I Am Raising My Kids With God

Children are a blessing from the LORD!  It is only in His power that any child can grow up to be anything like Jesus.


I am not raising my kids to be happy.  I am raising them to have the true joy of the LORD.


I am not raising my kids with the ultimate goal of going to college to find a job.  I am raising them to walk in the path (including career choice) that God has chosen for them.  My ultimate goal isn't that they will choose an awesome job, but that they know how to function and thrive in a family.  They will be wonderful husbands and fathers.

I am not raising my kids to be "church goers."  I am raising my kids to be leaders and servants in the church.


I am not raising my kids to know how to deal with peer pressure.  I am raising them to use Godly wisdom.

I am not raising my kids to learn to "do a good deed."  Doing good for others is a lifestyle.

I am not raising my kids to think that anything has to be fair.  Favor ain't fair!

I am not raising my kids to pursue the best that the world has to offer.  We are all about God's best!  That's much better!

I am not raising my kids to make sure their church has something for them.  I am raising my kids to know where the Holy Spirit is moving and be a part of it!

I am not raising my kids to follow anyone.  Jesus Christ is the ultimate leader!  We choose to follow only Him.

I am not raising my kids to look out for number one.  God is their number one!

I am not raising my kids to survive the world.  I'm raising them to change it!

I Am Not Raising My Kids

I am not raising my kids to be happy.
I am not raising my kids with the ultimate goal of going to college to find a job.
I am not raising my kids to be "church goers."
I am not raising my kids to know how to deal with peer pressure.
I am not raising my kids to learn to "do a good deed."
I am not raising my kids to think that anything has to be fair.
I am not raising my kids to pursue the best that the world has to offer.
I am not raising my kids to make sure their church has something for them.
I am not raising my kids to follow anyone.
I am not raising my kids to look out for number one.

I am not raising my kids to survive the world.
I'm raising them to change it!

photo credit

Things I Recommend:

I will be posting some books that I highly recommend.  These are books that either I or my husband have read and have had a huge impact on us.

I recommend:

Prayers that Rout Demons by John Eckhardt

From the back of the book:
"Prayer and confession of Scripture are two of the most powerful weapons we have in life.  They connect us to God and allow His power to flow to us in every situation."

Yes, it's true that this book is a reference handbook for defeating the devil and breaking the powers of darkness but it's so much more than that!  There are references for healing, breaking oppression, prayers for peace and for blessing, etc.

I also recommend this book because we have been to Apostle Eckhardt's church.  He is a powerful man of God.  He prophesied over us and spoke of things he did not know.  He is legitimate and hears from God.

Quotes from the book:

• I will prosper and be in health, even as my soul prospers (3 John 2)
• My soul will be joyful in the Lord.  You have covered me with the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10)
• Sanctify me through Your Word of truth (John 17:17)
• You are Jehovah-Jireh, my provider (Gen. 22:14)
• I am God's servant and He takes pleasure in my prosperity. (Psalm 1:3)
• I bind and cast out spirits of depression, despondency, despair, discouragement, and hopelessness in the name of Jesus.

If you get this book, I'd love to talk about it with you!  
This is an extremely helpful tool.  Some people don't even realize how bound they are until someone else points it out.  With the awesome power of God, you can be released to do the work of the ministry!

Restoration is on the way! Oh Hallelujah!

^{I was reading this passage of Scripture today (I'm usually in the Old Testament).  I am always drawn in to how God provides in the physical and in the Spiritual. I love it when He reveals secret things.}  


The Shunammite woman was providing for the man of God on a continual basis. I'm sure that was very helpful to him as he went about doing the LORD'S work.  One day, her son died and the prophet Elisha raised him back to life.  Wonderful!  (Sometimes there are perks like that when you are close with the man of God!)

As time went on, the prophet let her in on a little something.  A famine was coming so go live somewhere else for a while.  (Another perk!)  She obeyed and went.  After the 7 years had passed, she went back to her land.  The king appointed for her an officer and instructed him to give back all that she had owned PLUS all of the produce that she had lost out on from the day that she left!

God is so loving!  He is a God who restores.  The woman got favor from man (the king), restoration of her land PLUS BACK-PAY! Amen?  Amen!


Isn't that so encouraging?  Not only can God restore to you what you have lost, what has been stolen, or what has been sacrificed,  but he can even retro-act it!


Isn't that what Jesus came to do, restore us to God?  He is in the restoration business!




^{2 Kings 8:1-6 (NASB)
1}Now ^(A)Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, "Arise and go with your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn; for the ^(B)LORD has called for a famine, and ^(C)it will even come on the land for seven years."
 ²So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God, and she went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.
 ³At the end of seven years, the woman returned from the land of the Philistines; and she went out to appeal to the king for her house and for her field.
 ⁴Now the king was talking with ^(D)Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, "Please relate to me all the great things that Elisha has done."
 ⁵As he was relating to the king ^(E)how he had restored to life the one who was dead, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and for her field. And Gehazi said, "My lord, O king, this is the woman and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life."
 ⁶When the king asked the woman, she related it to him. So the king appointed for her a certain officer, saying, "Restore all that was hers and all the produce of the field from the day that she left the land even until now."

The message for him ~ My account

I was worshiping all day
Went to bed as usual
Something woke me
It was 3:30 AM

My spirit was instantly singing a song and worshiping
I think my spirit was worshiping in my sleep (awesome)
At the same time, a message came to me
I knew who it was for
I grabbed for a paper to write it down
I tossed and turned for a couple of hours
It was very intense

Morning came
I told HUBS that I had a message to deliver to someone today
I didn't tell him who it was for
I worshiped and prayed all day
I prayed that the person would be softened
I prayed that God would open their heart
I continued to worship

Afternoon came
I arranged for childcare
HUBS came home
I informed him of who was getting the message
Off we went

Got there
Visited for a while
Asked for privacy with the person

Told him:
What were you doing at 3:30 this morning?
He informed me that he tosses and turns in the night
Can't sleep soundly ~ no peace
He hears music and has strange dreams all night long
Very disturbing

I said that at 3:30 AM I was writing a message down for him
I'm not going to preach to you
I know you already "know" it and have heard it preached by others

Here is your message:
God loves you
He sent me to beg you to come to him
He is begging you
The person softened a little

I told him that I had prayed for him literally all day
Conversation about random things followed
I told him that God said He knows your sins
The things that you do in secret ~ He is there with you
The person squirmed a little
He wants to forgive you but you have to come to Him
I showed him the paper

More conversation followed
I said that I have something to tell you that's not very pretty
It's not a good thing but I have to be obedient
You will be tormented on your death bed if you don't choose God
I showed him the paper
See, it's written right here

More conversation about restless sleep
I said that Jesus brings peace
His name means peace
He is the only way you will ever have peace

The last thing I said was
Know God, Know peace
I think that he may have heard
No God, No peace instead
He was then finished with the conversation and left the room

I continue to pray...
for my Grandpa

Where's Your Head?

Set your mind to seek God today or you risk 

someone setting it for you.

Wordless Wednesday ~ My Husband Preaching

Is God waiting to smack you down?

Many people live their lives just waiting for something bad to happen.  Some people think that God is watching them, just waiting for them to mess up so that He can smack them down with His mighty hand.

Is that the God that you know?

It's true that God is a just and mighty God.  It's true that He is Holy and our sin separates us from Him.

The Bible says that God is love.  In Exodus chapter 34, God describes Himself.  He says that He is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth..."

Yes, there is a penalty to pay for sin, but He loves us so much that Jesus died for us!  He paid for you in advance!  Once you accept His forgiveness, He remembers your sins no more!  Wouldn't you love a do-over?  Wouldn't you love for God to look at you and see a totally clean heart with no sin?

He's not waiting for you to mess up so that He can smack you down.  God loves you and is waiting for you to come to Him.  God has blessings in store for His children, and the Bible says that He loves to see His people prosper!  

Tell Him today.  You can talk to Him.  Tell Him that you receive His forgiveness for your sins and accept His love that He has for you.  He is waiting for you...

I'm Back! ~ Have you heard it said?

I had a wonderful break.  It was very restful and I may drag it into this week a bit!  (Wink)


Have you heard it said, "Well..... all I can do is pray..."?

All I can do?

I've never had a quick answer for that.  My mind instantly goes to a big speech about the power behind prayer.  This morning, instead of a speech, a list came to my mind!  (I LIKE lists!)

"All I can do is pray..."

1.  The same power that raised Christ from the dead is in you
2.  You can pray "believing" that you will receive
3.  You can repent, get anointed with oil and prayed over by your pastor
4.  You can fast ~ Show Him how serious you are!

Be encouraged!  Is there something that you need to break free from and you've thought, "All I can do is pray."?

If you'd like to talk about it, give me a shout out!

Hello all of my bloggy friends!

I'm checkin in and checkin out!  Wanted to let you know that I'll be MIA this week.  I am taking a blogging break to focus and get some things in order.  I'll miss you much and I'll see ya next week!

:)

Janet

What am I?

Liking this song lately:



Lyrics

NOW I WON’T DENY THE WORST YOU COULD SAY ABOUT ME
BUT I’M NOT DEFINED BY MISTAKES THAT I’VE MADE BECAUSE GOD SAYS OF ME

I AM NOT WHO I WAS, I AM BEING REMADE, I AM NEW
I AM CHOSEN AND HOLY AND I’M DEARLY LOVED, I AM NEW, I AM NEW
WHO I THOUGHT I WAS AND WHO I THOUGHT I HAD TO BE

I HAD TO GIVE THEM BOTH UP CAUSE NEITHER WERE WILLING TO EVER BELIEVE
TOO LONG I HAVE LIVED IN THE SHADOWS OF SHAME
BELIEVING THAT THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD CHANGE

BUT THE ONE WHO IS MAKING EVERYTHING NEW DOESN’T SEE ME THE WAY THAT I DO
HE DOESN’T SEE ME THE WAY THAT I DO

I AM NOT WHO I WAS, I AM BEING REMADE, I AM NEW
DEAD TO THE OLD MAN, I’M COMING ALIVE, I AM NEW, I AM NEW
FORGIVEN BELOVED, HIDDEN IN CHRIST

MADE IN THE IMAGE OF THE GIVER OF LIFE
RIGHTEOUS AND HOLY, REBORN AND REMADE
ACCEPTED AND WORTHY, THIS IS OUR NEW NAME
THIS IS WHO WE ARE NOW
Songwriter: Jason Gray, Joel Hanson

Welcome Wednesday!

If you want to be a part of Welcome Wednesday, just follow these 5 simple steps:

1. Follow the Welcome Wednesday Host (Take It From Me) as well as the 2 Spotlighted Blogs of the Week. (These will make up the top three slots on the Linky)
2. Link up your blog name and URL with our Linky. (You only need to add your info once for it to be seen on all the blog hops)
3. Grab our Welcome Wednesday button and include it in a post about the event on your blog.
4. Go to as many blogs on the MckLinky as you want and Follow them. Be sure to tell them you are from Welcome Wednesday!
5. Be sure to Follow back any followers you have gainedfrom our Welcome Wednesday event!

Where in the world are you?

Where in the world am I?
Near Chicago

Random Fact:  The Sears Tower, Chicago is the tallest building on the North American continent.

Ok, I admit, I haven't been in this building since I was a teen and we've never taken our boys up there.  It just makes me sick to think about it.  I am seriously afraid of going THAT high!  Oh, it sways too!  

Have you seen the newest thing?

It  now has a Glass Deck!  NOPE NOPE NOPE!

NOT IN THIS LIFETIME!  I'm not even sure someone could PAY me to go out on that thing!

Would you?

Historically Named: Sears Tower
Current Name: Willis Tower
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Architect: Bruce Graham, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM)
Year: 1973
Height: 442 meters / 1,450 feet
Stories: 110 

photo credit

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Bitterness, Unforgiveness, Negativity ~ Interested? Of course not!

There is no reason to poison yourself and others with negativity!  Our God is an Awesome God and can make you free from any and all of those things.

Even if you don't think that you live in the negative, you may still be interested in the video that I am posting here.  It is so encouraging and mind blowing! 

God is AMAZING ~ I'm tellin ya!

I Want, I Want, I Want... Sound Selfish?

I want ~ a big yard so I can share it and have outdoor parties.

I want ~ a nicely paved driveway for neighborhood basketball games.

I want ~ some sort of outdoor landscape, lake, or garden to share with others.

I want ~ a cozy home full of the Holy Spirit that people LOVE to come to. 

I want ~ a house large enough to house our family comfortably and extra guests.

I want ~ to be so blessed by God that people wonder, "What in the world has come over them?"

I want ~ to be so blessed by God that I can effortlessly and almost frivolously bless others.

AMEN ~ Let it be so!

(For those who are wondering:  Yes, we bless people like crazy now but I WANT to be a flowing river of blessing, not a stream, not a creek, and most certainly not a reservoir.)

5 Questions about me: Meet Me On Monday

Meet Me On Monday Blog Hop
Questions: 

1.  Do you have any New Year's resolutions?
2.  What food item are you craving right now?
3.  When is your birthday?
4.  What were you doing an hour ago?
5.  Last thing you cooked?
Answers:
1.  A.  Sort of.  I don't care to call them resolutions, I'd rather call them goals.  I have several goals for the year 2011. 
1. A.  I'd like to learn more about ourHebrew roots (as Christians) and more about the Biblical Feasts.
1. B.  I am learning about the spiritual and physical  changes that happenwhen I speak God's Word and positive words.  I plan on putting thisto action in mega doses. (You can ask me more about that if you'd like.)
1. C.  I've GOT to get into shape.  I need to get a VCR with a remote and thenI can do the belly dance exercise DVD's and the Body Gospel DVD's (sample below)  that I have.
2.  I'm not craving anything right now.  I am very much looking forward tocleansing my body for this new year with the 21 Day Daniel Fast.  I'll bestarting that soon and can't wait.  (You can ask about that too.)
3.  I'll just say that my B-Day is in the fall.
4.  An hour ago I was praying before getting out of bed.
5.  The last think I cooked was simply hot wings in the crock pot!

OH! Baby!

This is making me laugh tonight: