Whoa, Pay Attention!

“Most of life is not lived in crisis — which is a good thing. Not many of us would be able to sustain a life of perpetual pain or loss or ecstasy or challenge. Continue reading “Whoa, Pay Attention!”

No Worries!

My little Wren was so happy to find her new A & M home.  She quickly checked it inside and out before she decided it was perfect. Then she started immediately ‘moving in.’ Twig after twig, spider webs, leaves and a little bit of yarn and voila! A comfy new home for her soon to be family. Continue reading “No Worries!”

Not Today!

“Get away from me Satan!” That’s a phrase I find myself saying quite often these days. Somehow he knows exactly how to trip me up, he knows my weakest point and goes for it every chance he gets. Even when I’m reading Scripture he tries to grab my attention. Good grief! Well, not today, Satan, not today!

Sunday, my pastor reminded us that Satan only works on those who are making a difference for Christ. If we are not living for Christ, being the hands and feet for Christ than Satan doesn’t need to mess with us, he’s not threatened. But, if we are telling others about Christ, striving to live for Christ, seeking to do His will, then we might as well paint a target on our backs.

1Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” So friends, watch out, be alert. If you notice you are having thoughts not consistent with your walk with Christ or if stumbling blocks keep getting in your way of doing what God has called you to do, make note, and send Satan packing.

Verse 9 continues to encourage us, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Resist him, stand firm. In the power of Jesus name, you can make Satan flee. Somehow it is comforting to know that other believers are having to battle Satan’s sneaking plots as well, we are not alone in this.

The Lord loves doing battle for us, so run to Him, He is our shield and defender.  Remember, Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

So, when you find yourself under attack, be happy to know that you’re making Satan uncomfortable! Stand firm in your faith and be blessed.

In Due Time

‘In Due Time’ seems to be my summer-time theme. It started at the writer’s conference in June as a phrase repeated by several speakers and then picked up by the group of fellow writers I had the pleasure of hanging out with. All of us are praying that ‘in due time’ our work will be published.

While visiting my son in July, I was praying for my daughter-in-law’s salvation. I was asking God to send someone who she would listen to when His answer came quite clearly, “In due time.” I had to smile. His peace then came over me with such completeness, the worry and anxiety washed away.

Of course, it’s not a new phrase. We usually call it God’s timing. God’s timing is just one of those things I don’t believe we will ever come to understand, not here on earth anyway. Ecclesiastes 8:6 tells us, “For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him.” The King knows the exact time and procedure needed for every situation. Even when we are in the middle of an unfortunate circumstance,  we don’t have to know or understand what God is doing about it. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (Isa. 55:8) We couldn’t understand if we tried and I’m beginning to think it’s a waste of our time and energy.

I believe our job in the situation is to trust Him and rest in Him. I like the way the Psalmist words his prayer in Psalm 131 (The Message).

God, I’m not trying to rule the roost,
    I don’t want to be king of the mountain.
I haven’t meddled where I have no business
    or fantasized grandiose plans.

2 I’ve kept my feet on the ground,
    I’ve cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother’s arms,
    my soul is a baby content.

3 Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope.
    Hope now; hope always!

Oh, that I could be this way and not meddle in God’s business and try to hurry things along or figure out a way to fix a problem I’m facing.

Learning to wait for His timing, His ‘in due time’ is not always easy. What a blessing He offers, that we can cuddle us in His arms and be content and wait. And look, we can wait with hope, hope now and hope always!

Anyone else waiting for His timing? What Scripture do you go to while you wait?

 

 

What a day!

“Mom. Mom. Guess what I got to see today?” The words came flying through the phone after barely saying hello. Continue reading “What a day!”

Thirsty?

It’s forecast to be another scorcher today but hopefully not like Monday’s temp of 108! Summer here in Texas can be brutal especially with no rain in sight. The plants are taking a beating and we’ve got to be careful to water our pets and livestock. We should be drinking even more water than usual. It’s a dry and thirsty land.

We don’t function well without many long cool drinks of water and our souls don’t either. Sometimes I think we forget to water our souls with living water. I know that I can be going along just fine with a little glass or a sip now and again but then dehydration sneaks up on me and I find myself confused, frustrated, and not doing well at all.

All it takes to get things running smoothly again is getting myself to the source, God’s Word.  He wants us to come to Him, read His Word and be filled to the brim. He wants us to be like the deer in Psalms 42, panting for the water, the living water only He can provide. In verse 5, David reminds of what he would do, “Fix my eyes on God – soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.”

Stay thirsty for the Lord, just don’t wait until you are feeling the effects of dehydration to know that you’d better get yourself to the source of living water. Fix your eyes on God, praise Him, and He’ll be putting a smile on your face again in no time. For, He is your God!

Have a blessed day and start it off with a l-o-n-g cool drink from your friend, the Lord.

Something New

Happy Monday Everyone. Vacay was great and now I’m back home with just a few weeks before heading back to school. Hope your summer has been going great too. Thank you for waiting on me!

Many new ideas and changes for the blog and the ministry have been underway since my last post and I want to share one big one with you today. After a whole lot of prayer about this, the name of the blog will change from Patti With an I to Gold Star Momma. We’re hoping the name change will enable the blog to reach more people and continue to make a difference.

Those of you who have subscribed to the blog need not do a thing, the post will continue to come through your e-mail like always, just with a new name. Those of you who haven’t click the ‘follow me’ button on the blog, please do! Starting very soon there will be additional info that will only go to subscribers, including cool giveaways! So pass the word and have your friends join us!

Thank you very much for following my blog. I so appreciate your wonderful comments and conversations, it’s been amazing to see God working through this. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for us in the coming days.

Continue to stand firm in the Lord.

Blessings!

Vacation

I’m grateful for my family and while on vacay in California visiting them, you probably won’t be reading much from me! I’m watching this kiddo building circuits! Have a blessed 4th of July! Hug your kids more than enough!